BOCA RATON, Fla. – Rodrigo Fernandez was named Defensive Player of the Year and John Rootes earned Coach of the Year honors as the Lynn University‘s men’s soccer program received a total of five All-Sunshine State Conference (SSC) selections, two on the First Team and three on the Second Team.
Rootes earns Coach of the Year recognition for the third time in his career and first since 2016. The Fighting Knights secured the SSC’s Regular Season Championship and the No. 1 seed in the conference tournament with a 12-1-1 record, going 8-1-1 in conference play.
Fernandez, a native of Mexico City, becomes the sixth Fighting Knight to earn Defensive Player of the Year honors and first since Jason Sangha in 2014. Fernandez led a defense that racked up four shutouts while holding opponents to a 0.98 goals-against average. Speedy winger Alexandre Horveno joins his teammate on the First Team as a midfielder after leading the SSC in assists with eight.
On the Second Team, Lukas Ostermann, Joao Delgado and Julian Kersting earned spots at forward, midfield and defense, respectively. Ostermann tied for the team-lead with seven goals on the season and ranked sixth in the SSC with 17 total points.
Delgado, a crafty central midfielder, tallied one assist for the Fighting Knights, starting in 11 games. Kersting helped Fernandez to anchor a strong Lynn defense, starting and playing in all 14 matches, adding three assists offensively.
Lynn’s five selections are the most for the program since 2016 when the Blue and White were tabbed with seven all-conference honorees.
The top-seeded Fighting Knights take on fourth-seeded Nova Southeastern in the SSC Semifinal on Thursday, Nov. 14 at home at 6 p.m.
About the Fighting Knights
Lynn University’s national champion Fighting Knights compete in baseball, basketball, cross country, golf, lacrosse, softball, soccer, swimming, tennis, track and volleyball. The university’s 19 intercollegiate teams are home to nearly 300 student athletes. Lynn is a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division II institution and winner of 25 national championships and 42 Sunshine State Conference titles. Representing spirit, service and strength, the Fighting Knights strive for greatness through athletic performance and academic excellence. For more information, visit: lynnfightingknights.com.
