Men’s Soccer Places Three Players on MASCAC All-Conference List

WESTFIELD, Mass. — Three Owls were named to All-Conference honors this week by the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference headlined by Westfield State goalkeeper Luke Theroux (Chicopee, Mass.) after being named to first-team all-conference.

As this weekend to remember wraps up for the newly crowned MASCAC men's soccer champions, the Westfield State Owls, more awards are coming their way. Theroux was named first-team all conference goalie, Sonny Mazza (East Longmeadow, Mass.) was awarded second-team midfielder, and Charlie Anischik (South Hadley, Mass.) was awarded second-team defense.

Theroux has been awarded first-team all-conference goalie honors in just his sophomore season. Theroux tallied a stat line of 18 goals against, a 1.26 goals against average, 74 saves, a .804 save percentage, and eight wins with five of those wins coming as shutouts. Theroux was even better in his intra-conference regular season play. In seven games, Theroux sported a 4-1-2 record, a 0.80 GAA, and 41 saves for a .891 save percentage. All of Theroux's conference regular season wins were shutouts. Theroux cut his goals-against in half from last fall as he let in 35 a year ago. He also improved his save percentage .063 percent from last year, with one more win and three more shutouts. Theroux was second in the MASCAC in saves, third in save percentage, and fourth in goals against average.

Mazza has been named a second-team midfielder and this is Mazza's first bid to all-conference honors. Mazza tallied ten total points this season on three goals and four assists. Mazza improved this season as he had one more point and assist from a season ago but scored two game winning goals compared to last season's one. His first one came at Elms College on September 4 in a 4-1 victory while his second one was the only score in a 1-0 victory over Bridgewater State on October 26, scoring in the final minute of the match. Mazza has been a consistent offensive weapon for the Owls as he is tied for second on the team in assists and third in points.

Anischik has been awarded second-team defense in just his second year as an Owls athlete. Anischik tallied three points this season and one assist and a game-winning goal on September 14 as the Owls defeated UMass-Dartmouth 3-2 at home. Anischik scored his game-winner on a penalty kick late in the second half to pull the Owls past the Corsairs. Anischik made the switch back this season to defense and has really helped keep opposing offenses have less opportunities at Theroux.

Westfield State (9-6-5, 4-1-2) secured a spot in the NCAA division III tournament with a conference championship win on Saturday in a 2-0 victory over Salem State. The Owls hit the road for the first-round as they head east to face second-ranked Tufts University on Saturday, November 16 at 5:00 P.M.

 For full MASCAC All-Conference breakdown, CLICK HERE

Written by Hunter Briggs – Westfield State Sports Information Graduate Assistant