Walleekendeh, Spangler Earn Top Honors; Four Lions Named All-Conference
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pennsylvania -- Penn State Brandywine sophomore Bill Walleekendeh (Chester, Pa./Chester) was selected as the Pennsylvania State University Athletic Conference Player of the Year, while Head Coach Scott Spangler was named conference coach of the year as the league released its postseason awards on Tuesday.
Walleekendeh also claimed first team all-conference accolades and was joined by senior Brad Jule (Chester Springs, Pa./Salesianum) and junior Manny Weldemicael (Philadelphia, Pa./Wyoming Park). Junior Nabieu Sesay (Sharon Hill, Pa./Academy Park) was the fourth Lion to earn an all-conference award after receiving second team laurels.
In his second year as head coach, Spangler led the Lions to their second-straight conference title and a berth in the USCAA Tournament. Brandywine rolled through league play, outscoring opponents 46-10, en route to an unblemished 8-0 record. During his two seasons at the helm, Spangler has compiled a record of 24-16, including a 22-1 mark against PSUAC competition, and produced eight all-conference performers.
Also USCAA All-American honorable mention selection, Walleekendeh led the conference in goals and total points, while finishing third nationally in each category after tallying 23 goals and 51 points in 17 matches. Walleekendeh, who recorded 19 goals during the month of October, tied for the team lead with four game-winning scores and added five assists. He has registered 23 during each of his first two seasons at Brandywine and owns 106 total points (46G, 14A) during his career.
A first team all-conference performer for the second-straight season, Jule produced a team-leading eight assists along with six goals for 20 points during his final season with the Lions. He scored twice during Brandywine's 4-1 victory at Delaware Valley, the Lions' first triumph over a Division III opponent in five years, while starting 20 games at midfield and serving as a team captain.
Weldemicael was one-of-two players to start all 21 games for Brandywine. He was the team's third-leading scorer after collecting 10 goals and five assists for 25 points, finishing tied for 35th nationally in total points. Weldemicael has also received a pair of academic awards this fall, earning USCAA National Academic Team and Capital One/CoSIDA Academic All-District honors.
Sesay gained all-league recognition for the second consecutive year after registering seven goals and three assists. Sesay's goal during the 43rd minute of the PSUAC Championship game against York proved to be the game-winning score as the Lions captured their second consecutive league title on Oct. 29. He has collected 14 goals and 36 total points during his two seasons with the Lions.
