Team Awards Announced at Annual Men's Soccer Banquet

Jan. 28, 2008

MILWAUKEE - Members of the Marquette men's soccer family, including players and their families, along with support staff, gathered on campus Sunday, Jan. 27 for the program's annual awards banquet. The event was an opportunity to commemorate the 2007 season by recognizing key individuals and saying goodbye to lone senior Mike Carlson.

"You have the inner circle of the team, then you have an outer circle of support," said head coach Louis Bennett. "When you have a banquet, you have people who are in the outer circle, and you try to give them a glimpse as to what goes on in the inner circle. That's what I really like, so they get a feel of what it is going on and to also let them know that they are appreciated."

All of the players who spoke at the event, as well as Bennett and associate head coach Stan Anderson, expressed gratitude for Carlson's commitment and service to the program. Carlson appeared in 60 games for the Golden Eagles as a defender, and started a total of 52 matches in his four-year career.

"Mike's loyalty, dedication and determination to stay with the program through the ups and the downs and to give his best effort have been invaluable," said Bennett. "He's always given his all and led by example. I was proud of what he did this year."

Carlson recently accepted a position with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Junior forward Nick Kay was recognized as "Most Improved," in addition to being honored as the "2007 Golden Boot" recipient.

"Nick Kay evolved into a leader. He played hurt all year and nobody would have ever known he was hurt. That kind of effort day in and day out was rewarded for him. His performance was an eye-opener and an education for others."

"Most Valuable Player" honors went to sophomore defender Billy Von Rueden, the only Marquette player in 2007 to play and start in all of the team's 17 games. Von Rueden also claimed the "Man of the Year" award, which is based on a compilation of each player's votes throughout the season.

"If you look at the consistency - day in and day out - I think the players got it right, because Billy was probably our most consistent player irrespective of the opposition we played against," said Bennett. "We could rely on him. He set a platform for him to become one of the best players in the league and that requires stepping up again."

Bennett also wanted to recognize a special contributor to the men's soccer program, and a recent MU graduate.

"Pat Stanley, our Director of Soccer Operations, deserves some special mention. "He really did a full-time job in a volunteer status," said Bennett. "Although he learned a lot, we also got a lot from him."

2007 Marquette Men's Soccer Team Awards

Most Improved: Nick Kay

Newcomer of the Year: Scott Miller

Most Valuable Player: Billy Von Rueden

Man of the Year: Billy Von Rueden

Scholar Athlete: Tom Lynn

Golden Boot: Nick Kay (4 goals)