BRIDGEWATER, Va. – Christopher Newport University's Jimmy Grace was named the Player of the Year on the 2016 Virginia Sports Information Directors (VaSID) College Division All-State Men's Soccer Team released Thursday. CNU's Steve Shaw was named Coach of the Year and Ferrum's Shamarr Perry earned Rookie of the Year.
Eleven different programs from across the state were represented in the annual voting recognizing the top players in Division II, Division III or NAIA levels. Lynchburg had the most selections with five while CNU and Washington and Lee each had four players honored. All four of CNU's players earned first-team honors.
Grace returned to the Captains' lineup after missing his junior season due to injury and helped lead his team to the NCAA tournament. Grace was named the Capital Athletic Conference Player of the Year after leading the conference in scoring with 32 points in 13 goals and six assists. He was also a first-team all-region and first-team All-American selection this season.
Shaw guided the CNU team to an 18-3-1 record and the program's 10th trip to the NCAA tournament. The Captains defeated Montclair State 5-1 before losing to No. 4 ranking Messiah. The Captains finished the CAC regular season with an 8-0-1 record to win the conference title for the second time in three years.
Perry was named to the All-USA South first team and set a new Ferrum College single-season record with 12 goals.
Joining Grace on the All-VaSID first team were CNU teammates Stephen Durbin at forward, midfielder Andrew Gogolin and Harry Nodwell as a defender. Virginia Wesleyan's Tanner Martin is third midfielder on the first team. Joining Durbin at forward are Washington and Lee's Dylan Ritch, Lynchburg's Ben Grossfuss and Emory & Henry's Jordan Coach. Washington and Lee's Oliver Dolberg and Lynchburg's Thomas Salamone join Nodwell as first-team defenders. Lynchburg's Dylan McLaurin is the first team goalkeeper.
VaSID names 27 all-state teams in 15 sports each year, as well as an Academic All-State squad and an all-sports champion in both the University and College Divisions. Membership in VaSID is open to all media relations professionals working at a University or conference in the state of Virginia.
2016 VaSID College Division Men's Soccer All-State Team
Player of the Year
Jimmy Grace Christopher Newport University
Coach of the Year
Steve Shaw Christopher Newport University
Rookie of the Year
Shamarr Perry Ferrum College
All-State First Team
Forwards
Dylan Ritch Washington & Lee University
Stephen Durbin Christopher Newport University
Ben Grossfuss Lynchburg College
Jordan Couch Emory & Henry College
Midfielders
Jimmy Grace Christopher Newport University
Tanner Martin Virginia Wesleyan College
Andrew Gogolin Christopher Newport University
Defenders
Oliver Dolberg Washington & Lee University
Harry Nodwell Christopher Newport University
Thomas Salamone Lynchburg College
Goalie
Dylan McLaurin Lynchburg College
All-State Second Team
Forwards
Fredy Flores Lynchburg College
Jacob Burke University of Mary Washington
Shamarr Perry Ferrum College
Midfielders
Logan McHugh Randolph-Macon College
Nate Berning Lynchburg College
David Cuperman Averett University
Defenders
Emmanuel Boamah Eastern Mennonite University
Patrick Barry Washington & Lee University
Rodney Ngoh Marymount University
Colin Travis University of Mary Washington
Goalie
Gillen Beck Washington & Lee University