Covenant's Davidson Named USA Player Of The Year

Covenant men's soccer senior forward Snoopy Davidson was named USA South Player of the Year and six of his teammates also received recognition as the conference announced its All-Conference awards on Wednesday afternoon.

Joining Davidson on the first team All-Conference were seniors Builder Brock and Joel Friesen. Senior Hunter Harrison was a second team choice, while senior Ian Meredith and junior Daniel Kubin earned honorable mention. Senior Hudson Brock was Covenant's representative on the All-Sportsmanship team.

Davidson becomes the first men's soccer player to earn a player of the year honor in the Division III era. The senior from Rome, Ga., sparkled this season with 10 goals, which ranks fourth in the league, six assists, third-best in the USA South, and is tied for the top spot in the conference with 26 total points.

In conference action only, Davidson was tied for the league lead with 16 points and seven goals scored. Additionally, Davidson tallied three game-winning goals, two of which came against USA South competition. For his efforts this fall, Davidson earned his second consecutive first team All-Conference honor at the forward position. Finally, he accumulated one USA South Player of the Week honor this season (Oct. 27).

"It's nice to see Snoopy get rewarded for all the hard work he has put in," said head coach Nathan Pifer. "He's constantly pressured by the defenses and still finds ways to score and help our team win."

Builder Brock, a senior from Lookout Mountain, Ga., helped Covenant to the second-best team goals against average in the USA South at 0.76 with his work defensively. Brock also scored two goals on the year, both coming in the final two regular season matches.

Friesen also put together a career year for the Scots. The senior from Waxhaw, N.C., scored seven goals and had four assists on the year. Of his seven goals, he had three-game winners. He achieved his first career hat trick in Covenant's 3-1 season-opening over Rutgers-Newark. Friesen was a two-time USA South Player of the Week honoree earning the honor on Sept. 1 and Sept. 29.

Harrison earns his second straight second team All-Conference honor. The senior captain from Greenville, S.C., was the catalyst on the back line for the Scots. He helped lead Covenant to five shutouts before being injured. 

Meredith, a senior from Nairobi, Kenya, and Kubin, a junior from Rocky Face, Ga., earned honorable mention. Meredith had a career-high seven goals, with two-game winners, to go along with four assists on the year and was twice named USA South Player of the Week (Sept. 8 and Oct. 13). Kubin produced the third-best goals against average in the USA South at 0.75 and tallied 58 saves and six shutouts.

"Overall, it's great to see these players recognized for their efforts this year," added Pifer. "It's been a great year and we're looking forward to our semifinal match on Friday."