The young, stout back line is one of the strengths for the Fort Lewis College men’s soccer team, and the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference knows it’s no secret.
The conference’s preseason awards were announced Thursday, and Skyhawks sophomore Sean Cleary, the anchor of the FLC defense, was named Preseason Defensive Player of the Year.
Cleary joined Colorado Mesa forward Roy Abergil and goalkeeper Briley Guarneri as those honored in Thursday’s announcement. Abergil was named the RMAC’s Preseason Player of the Year, and Guarneri is Preseason Goalkeeper of the Year.
Cleary was a two-time Defensive Player of the Week last season as a redshirt freshman. He played in all but one of FLC’s 20 games and scored two goals. The Colorado Springs product was named to the All-RMAC First Team and made the All-South Central Region Third Team a season ago.
He was instrumental in the Skyhawks’ seven 2015 shutouts and led a young defense with fellow freshman Coleman Kane and sophomores Malik Badawi and Alex Tillberry in front of freshman goalkeeper Elliot Chadderton.
With another year under their belts, getting through Cleary and company will be a difficult task for any RMAC offense.
Abergil set Colorado Mesa records last season with 14 goals and 28 points as a junior. He was also an All-RMAC First Team, All-South Central Region First Team and RMAC-Tournament team selection.
Guarneri registered 11 shutouts and racked up 78 saves for the Mavericks last season.
On the women’s side, Michaela Mansfield of University of Colorado-Colorado Springs was announced as the RMAC Preseason Player of the Year. Colorado Mines’ Emily Garnier earned the Preseason Defensive Player of the Year, and Colorado Mesa’s Janelle Richmond-Buccola was the Preseason Goalkeeper of the Year.
The 2016 RMAC men’s and women’s soccer preseason polls and full All-RMAC preseason squads will be announced Tuesday.
The Fort Lewis alumni games are August 27 with the women’s game starting at 1 p.m. and the men’s game to follow. The men will officially begin their season at 3 p.m. Sept. 2 against No. 7 Midwestern State University at Dirks Field in Durango. The Skyhawks women will open play Sept. 3 at Lubbock Christian.
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