Gabrilska Named WIAC Defensive Player Of The Year
Sophomore goalkeeper Sam Gabrilska was a major award winner as UW-Oshkosh placed seven members on the 2014 All-WIAC Men's Soccer Team.
The Titans had five first-team selections, including Gabrilska who was recognized as the league's Defensive Player of the Year. Other UW-Oshkosh players named to the 13-member first team were junior defenders Karl Bock and Jonathan Stanley, sophomore midfielder Jacob Hernandez and freshman forward Javier Simon.
Gabrilska is the third UW-Oshkosh player in the last four seasons to capture the WIAC's top defensive award. This year, Gabrilska started 14 of the 15 matches that he played in and allowed just seven goals in 1,293 minutes of action. He currently ranks ninth in the NCAA Division III with a 0.49 goals-against average.
Gabrilska tallied six shutouts this season, including four-save performances against UW-Platteville on Nov. 5 and UW-Whitewater on Nov. 7 in the WIAC Championship. His 11-2-2 record also included shutouts of Central College (Iowa), UW-Superior, Lakeland College and St. Norbert College.
Gabrilska owns 12 shutouts and a 22-4-5 record in 32 career matches. His goals-against average of 0.58 was formed with the help of 80 career saves. Gabrilska was selected to the All-WIAC Second Team in 2013.
Bock, a sophomore defender, is a repeat All-WIAC First Team honoree. Bock started 17 of the Titans' 21 matches this season and anchored a defense that totaled 12 shutouts for a goals-against average of 0.64. Bock scored his lone goal during UW-Oshkosh's 4-1 victory over Concordia University Wisconsin on Sept. 27. His 47-match career includes seven points on two goals and three assists.
Hernandez, a sophomore midfielder, started all 21 matches this season and scored eight points on two goals and four assists. He scored one goal and assisted on another during UW-Oshkosh's win over Concordia University Wisconsin and the Titans' 4-0 victory over St. Norbert College on Oct. 21. Hernandez, a 2013 All-WIAC Second Team selection, has totaled 17 points on five goals and seven assists during his 42-match career.
Simon, a freshman forward, made an immediate impact this season as a starter in 13 of the 21 matches that he played. He scored 18 points on nine goals to lead the Titans in both categories. Simon had three game-winning goals and scored twice during UW-Oshkosh's 6-0 win over Marian University on Oct. 8.
Stanley, a junior defender, started 14 of the 21 contests that he played in this season. He helped UW-Oshkosh allow just 14 goals and the record the 21st-best goals-against average in the country. Stanley scored eight points on three goals and two assists this season. Stanley has compiled 31 points on 13 goals and five assists during his 55-match career.
Selected to the 13-member second team from UW-Oshkosh were junior forward Michael Dugan and senior midfielder Danny Kobin.
Dugan, a junior forward, started eight of the 20 matches that he participated in this season. He tallied five goals and four assists to rank second on the team with 14 points. Dugan scored two goals and assisted on another during UW-Oshkosh's win over Marian University. His 49-match career features 19 points on five goals and nine assists.
Kobin, a senior midfielder, started all 21 contests and scored six points on two goals and two assists. Kobin finished his 70-match career with 11 points on four goals and three assists.
Joining Gabrilska on the first team were Mbodje Sarr and Brad Streich from UW-Platteville; Brian Grand, Zach Harwerth, Ben Kasper and Gio Rodriguez from UW-Superior; and John Gottwald and Sam Novak from UW-Whitewater.
Gottwald and Rodriguez were chosen as the WIAC's Offensive Players of the Year. UW-Whitewater's Tony Guinn was picked as the league's Coach of the Year.
UW-Oshkosh went 7-0-1 in its last eight matches to finish the season with a 14-5-2 record. The Titans captured the WIAC championship with a 1-0 victory over UW-Whitewater in the final of the league's postseason tournament.