Four from PAC Earn Men's Soccer All-ECAC Accolades Franciscan's Miller named Defensive Player of the Year 12/19/2024 2:05:00 PM DANBURY, Conn. (pacathletics.org) – The Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) announced its 2024 Division III Men's Soccer All-ECAC Teams and major awards, which included four players from Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) programs being recognized. The top award went to Franciscan University senior midfielder Ryan Miller (Galena, Ohio/Olentangy Berlin), who was named the ECAC Defensive Player of the Year, as well as First Team All-ECAC. He was joined on First Team by Franciscan junior forward Lucas Cross (Clarkston, Mich./Everest Collegiate) and Allegheny College senior forward Brady Napoleon (Pittsburgh, Pa./Mt. Lebanon), while Waynesburg University freshman midfielder Sarpong Kwabiah (Odenton, Md./Meade) garnered Second Team distinction. Miller's honor is the first time a Baron has taken home this major award in program history. Miller was named PAC Defensive Player of the Year last month as well as First Team All-PAC. The midfielder played a pivotal role in the Barons securing eight shutouts this season, as he helped the Barons dominate time of possession. He also helped on the offensive end by taking most free and corner kicks this season. His 26 points are the most that he has had in a single season, which came on nine goals and eight assists. Cross was named First Team All-ECAC for the second consecutive season, adding this honor to an impressive list of accolades from the 2024 season. He was named United Soccer Coaches Region VII Second Team earlier this month, as well as First Team All-PAC and PAC Tournament Most Outstanding Player back in November. Cross led the Barons with 44 points with a program single-season record of 20 goals and four assists and also led the Barons with four game-winning goals. Cross and Miller join Assistant Coach Leo Herrmann as the only three players in program history to earn All-ECAC two or more times in their Franciscan playing career. The All-American Herrmann earned this honor three times over his career as a Baron. This ECAC recognition is the latest accolade earned by Napoleon, who was also crowned the PAC Offensive Player of the Year and an All-PAC First-Team selection. This fall, Napoleon established a new program single-season record of 18 goals in 19 games played, surpassing the previous record of 17 goals set by Hall of Famer David Nelson '79 from the 1977 season. Among national leaders, Napoleon ranked ninth in total goals, 10th in goals per game (0.95), 16th in points per game (2.00), 17th in game-winning goals (5), and 20th in total points (38). Kwabiah, who was named the PAC Newcomer of the Year, is the first All-ECAC player in Waynesburg men's soccer history. He also collected All-PAC Second Team honors and was the league's offensive player of the week in September. Kwabiah paced Waynesburg in every offensive category with eight goals, five assists and 21 points and ranked third in the conference in points per game, fourth in goals per game and sixth in assists per game. Story contributions from Franciscan, Allegheny & Waynesburg Sports Information