ST. PAUL, Minn.- The UNW Men's Soccer team concluded their 2021 season by qualifying for the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference Tournament and saw their season come to a close in the conference semifinal. On Wednesday, six Eagles received postseason awards for their performances this season.
A trio of Eagles were named to the 2021 all-conference first team.
Alejandro Alfaro (Murrieta, Calif./Vista Murrieta) made a strong first impression on Eagle soccer as the freshman made the first team in his first year of collegiate soccer. The midfielder scored four goals in his rookie year, and proved early on in his career that he has the "clutch gene" with two of those four goals being game winning goals. Alfaro was important in the middle of the field all season long possessing the ball and contributing offensively and defensively. The future is bright for this young Eagle star.
Cole Alfrey (Elkhorn, Neb./Elkhorn) was another Eagle named to the all-conference first team. This is the second time in Alfrey's career that he has received all-conference recognition, as the defender was named an honorable mention in 2019. The senior had the best year of his career in 2021. Alfrey was the leader of an Eagles' backline that was stingy giving up goals all season long. In addition to his contributions defensively, Alfrey also pitched in on the offensive end. The senior scored four goals and assisted on one more. 2021 was a fantastic closing season for the Eagle defender.
In addition to the strong group of defenders, there was another reason the Eagles were hard to score on this season, and that reason is
Austin Gunkel (Arden Hills, Minn./Mounds View). The senior goalkeeper was named UMAC Defensive Player of the Week multiple times in 2021 and joined his teammates on the all-conference first team. Gunkel made 59 saves this season with a save percentage of 74%. The senior tallied one shutout, and contributed to two other combined shutouts. Gunkel ended his strong Eagle career in impressive fashion in 2021.
Tim DeLoye (Wausau, Wisc./Wausau West) is another freshman who had a big impact for UNW in 2021. DeLoye was named an all-conference honorable mention. The defender was another important piece for the Eagles' playoff run in 2021. As a freshman, DeLoye's cool, calm, and collected approach was a pleasant addition for Head Coach
Greg Wheaton and his coaching staff. DeLoye got his collegiate soccer career off to a great start in 2021.
Koby Wesselink (Cedar Rapids, Iowa/Linn-Mar High School) was also named all-conference honorable mention for UNW. The senior led the Eagles in goal scoring this year with five. One of those goals was a game winner. Wesselink also added an assist in 2021. The senior captain ended his career with a bang as he was a main offensive weapon for the Eagles all season long.
Isaac Friesen (Mora, Minn./Home School) was named a UMAC Sportsmanship Award winner in 2021. Friesen is a sophomore defender for the Eagles, and is a good example of how to compete with purpose.
Congratulations to these student athletes who received postseason recognition, and to the entire Eagle Men's Soccer team for their strong 2021 campaign.
