SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Southern Conference men’s soccer coaches have selected the all-conference selections for the 2006 season as well as the Player of the Year, Freshman of the Year and Coach of the Year. The coaches selections are based on nominations from their own teams and coaches are not allowed to vote for their own players.

Furman had seven players selected for all-league honors, including the 2006 Player of the Year Jon Leathers. The defender started 16 matches and anchored a Paladin defense that allowed only 15 goals on the season and recorded nine shutouts. He was also named to the all-conference first team along with forward Shea Salinas and midfielder Dominic Cianciaurlo. Forward Chris Davis, midfielder Patrick Murray, defender Mark Futrell and goalkeeper Bryan Amos received second-team accolades. 

Georgia Southern freshman Jon Cox was tabbed the Freshman of the Year by the coaches. Cox led the Eagles with 15 points, ninth in the conference. His five assists ranks sixth in the league standings with his five goals putting him seventh. Cox was also named to the all-conference second team with fellow teammate Brad Mitchum. Goalkeeper Adam Webb received first-team honors after leading the conference in saves percentage (.787) and recording a 1.21 goals against average with six shutouts.

First-year head coach Kevin Kennedy was named the Coach of the Year by his peers. Kennedy took over in August and led the Eagles to a second-place finish in the standings and an 8-5-3 overall record. He also bettered the 2005 conference record from 1-6 to a winning record of 4-1-2.

UNC Greensboro had the most players named to the first team, led by forward Randi Patterson. Scott Jones and Michael Richardson both received first-team honors at the midfield position with defender David Worthen anchoring the Spartans defensive effort.  Elon landed four on the all-league squads, led by forward KiKi Willis. Midfielder Nick Aparicio, defender Junior Nombre and goalkeeper Taylor Saxe represent the Phoenix on the second team. Appalachian State’s Paul Pessina and College of Charleston’s Jeremy Gold round out the first time with Mountaineers’ Arie Munoz and Corey Lugger rounding out the second team.