Complete BIG EAST Release
TAMPA - As the University of South Florida men's soccer team awaits its bid to the NCAA Tournament (to be announced on Nov. 16 at 5:30 p.m. on ESPN News), it received word today on other achievements for several members of the team.
USF goalkeeper Jeff Attinella was named the BIG EAST Conference Goalkeeper of the Year while also being named first team all-conference. He was presented with his award at the conference's annual men's soccer awards banquet in Morgantown, W.Va., on the eve of the 28th annual BIG EAST Men's Soccer Championship.
A native of Safety Harbor, Fla., Attinella earns the first major award for USF men's soccer since the Bulls joined the league in 2005. The junior played every minute of every game for the Bulls, including 11 BIG EAST games. In overall games played, Attinella is tops in the league in saves with 95 and second with an .864 save percentage. Through 19 games, he holds a 0.76 goals against average, allowing only 15 goals and posting seven shutouts. In league play, Attinella held a 0.78 goals against average, allowed nine goals and recorded three shutouts. He was second in saves with 58 and third in save percentage at .866. Attinella has been ranked in the top 10 nationally in save percentage and the top 20 in goals against average most of the season. He is a 2009 All-BIG EAST First Team selection after earning All-BIG EAST Honorable Mention honors a year ago.
During the season, Attinella was a three-time BIG EAST Conference Goalkeeper of the Week selection this year - for the week's ending Sept. 13, Oct. 4 and Oct. 25 - while also being named to the TopDrawerSoccer.com National Team of the Week.
In addition to Attinella's kudos, five other USF players were honored by the league's coaches.
Midfielder Bernardo Anor and defender Javed Mohammed were named to the All-BIG EAST Conference second team, while midfielder Francisco Aristeguieta and forward Zak Boggs were selected to the all-conference third team.
Anor is tied for third on the team in scoring with 11 points (5-1) along with fellow second teamer Mohammed (1-9). Mohammed has also been one of the major factors in the Bulls being one of the top defensive teams in not just the BIG EAST but all of Division I soccer.
Boggs is sixth on the team in scoring with nine points (4-1) while Aristeguieta has scored three points (0-3). Both have been significant contributors to USF's success this year.
Forward Hasani Sinclair was named to the BIG EAST Conference all-rookie team. He is currently the team's leading scorer recording 15 points on five goals and five assists.
