Monday, November 05, 2012

Valparaiso fifth-year senior Kyle Zobeck (Coralville, Iowa/Iowa City West) became the first goalkeeper in Horizon League history to earn consecutive Goalkeeper of the Year honors and was named to the All-League First Team, leading a group of four Crusaders who were honored on Monday as the league announced its postseason awards.

Valpo placed two players on the All-League Second Team, as senior Jon Smith (McKinney, Texas/McKinney) repeated as an All-League selection and sophomore Eric Nieto (Fort Lauderdale, Fla./Louisville Collegiate [Ky.]) earned Second Team honors one year after earning All-Newcomer accolades. In addition, freshman Jordan Aidoud (L'isled'Abeau, France/CEFAM) was selected to the All-Newcomer Team.

Zobeck repeated as the league's Goalkeeper of the Year after leading the league in goals against average (0.84) during the regular season and ranking second in save percentage (.776) and shutouts (4). The fifth-year senior stepped up his game within Horizon League play, posting three of his four clean sheets, lowering his GAA to 0.65 and increasing his save percentage to .833.

Smith earned a spot on the All-League Second Team for the second straight year after moving to the back line in 2012 and helping a defense which has surrendered just 16 goals in 18 games. The senior also has picked up a pair of goals and one assist offensively. Nieto owns two goals and two assists out of the midfield for the Crusaders this season and was the league's Offensive Player of the Week on Oct. 22. Aidoud was named to the All-Newcomer Team after pacing Valpo during the regular season with four goals and three assists, finishing tied for fifth in the league in goals and tied for sixth in points.