SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (Oct. 30) – Three members of the Nichols College men’s soccer team have been named to the 2009 All-The Commonwealth Coast Conference Men’s Soccer Team, it was announced today by Commissioner Gregg M. Kaye. Junior midfielder Mark Capitanio (Mansfield, Mass.) was named to the First Team, while sophomore forward David Johnson (Canterbury, Conn.) and junior midfielder Michael Schell (So. Windsor, Conn.) earned a spot on the Honorable Mention Team. Student-athletes from 12 different institutions in the TCCC were represented on the 2009 All-TCCC Men’s Soccer Team, as voted by the TCCC men’s soccer coaches.
Capitanio leads the Bison in both goals and assists with eight and seven for 23 points, ranking him second in the league. Three of his four game-winning goals have come in conference play, helping Nichols to an 8-5 league record. Capitanio was tabbed the TCCC and ECAC DIII New England Player of the Week on October 26th after posting two goals and an assist – including the game-winning goal against University of New England – to help the Bison secure the sixth seed in the TCCC tournament.
Johnson ranks second on the team with 12 points on five goals and two assists in 15 games. A TCCC Honorable Mention honoree in 2008, Johnson is a player who transitions to both ends of the field, helping the Bison offense to an average of 2.00 goals per game (3rd in TCCC) and the defense to a 1.21 goals against average (5th in league).
Schell has anchored the midfield, playing in every game this season. He has scored four goals to go with four assists to rank fourth on the team with 12 points. He netted the game-winner against Salve Regina on September 26th.
Nichols, which has won the most games since 1965, tying the program record for wins with a 12-6 ledger, travels to third-seeded Wentworth Saturday, October 31st for a 1 p.m. TCCC quarterfinal matchup.
Full TCCC Release