Cellucci Named Defender Of The Year; Leads Record-Setting Nine On All-PSUAC First Team

MEDIA, Pa. -- Penn State Brandywine senior James Cellucci (Rosemont, Pa./Radnor) was selected as the Penn State University Athletic Conference Men's Soccer Defensive Player of the Year and was one of a program record nine Lions placed on the All-PSUAC First Team by the league' coaches.

Joining Cellucci as first team all-conference selections were forwards Mohamed Camara (Drexel Hill, Pa./Upper Darby), Joey Cairy (Aston, Pa./Sun Valley) and Daniel Willie (Upper Darby, Pa./Upper Darby); midfielders Ronaldo Calle (Coatesville, Pa./Coatesville), Brandon Crochunis (West Chester, Pa./West Chester East) and Rajbir Lohat (Broomall, Pa./Marple Newtown); defender Ian Roland (Aston, Pa./Sun Valley); and goalkeeper Brandon Welden (Essington, Pa./Interboro).

In addition, defender Tyler Skaer (Brookhaven, Pa./The Christian Academy) was named honorable mention all-conference and senior defender Esteban Munoz (Ridley Park, Pa./Ridley) earned the conference's John Fritz Sportsmanship award.

Now a four-time all-conference defender, Cellucci earned his second-straight first team honor. He captained a Brandywine defense that was the top unit the conference, allowing only two goals in 10 matches against PSUAC competition this fall. Brandywine also yielded just 22 shots on goal to conference foes. Cellucci also matched a career best with four goals and added six assists, while starting all 18 matches.

Camara, who earned his second first team nod in as many years, was a starter in 16 of the team's 18 matches, delivering 15 goals and seven assists for 37 total points. He finished the year as the third-leading goal scorer in the PSUAC, while also ranking third in total points and tied for fifth in assists. Eleven of Camara's 15 goals came in conference matchups, including a trio of multi-goal performances.

Cairy made an immediate impact on the Brandywine offense during his freshman season as his first collegiate goal came with under five minutes to go in regulation to tie the score against Manor in the season opener. Cairy went on to start all 17 matches he played in, netting 10 goals (7th in PSUAC) and eight assists (T-3rd in PSUAC). He registered a hat trick against Penn State Mont Alto, part of a nine-match scoring streak he produced during the middle of the season.

Willie had a breakout sophomore year, scoring a PSUAC-best 22 goals, while finishing second in the conference with 49 total points. Six times in 16 matches played Willie scored at least two goals, including a three-goal output in Wednesday's conference championship triumph over Penn State Beaver. After a slow start, Willie caught fire during Brandywine's conference matches, netting at least one goal in every league game and producing at least five points in a match five times during that span. He enters the USCAA Tournament with an 11-game goal streak.

Calle stepped into the starting lineup this season and contributed career bests with six goals and five assists. He tied for sixth on the team in scoring, while also finishing sixth in goals scored. Five of his six goals and all five of his helpers came in PSUAC matches.

Crochunis claimed his second consecutive first team award after finishing as the conference's leader in assists with 10, nine of which came during league games. He also collected 13 goals, ranking fourth in the PSUAC, while also standing fourth in total points (36) as a starter in all 18 of the Lions' matches. During the season, Crochunis produced three two-goal games and registered a hat trick at Penn State Beaver on Sept. 22.

Now a two-time all-conference midfielder, Lohat earned first team laurels after being selected to the second team as a freshman in 2017. He finished in a tie for fifth in the PSUAC with seven assists, while adding two goals. Lohat handed out at least one assist in six of 10 matches against conference foes this fall.

Roland started all 18 games on Brandywine's back line, aiding the Lions' top-ranked PSUAC defense. Brandywine's defense produced a 0.73 goals against average, the top mark in the PSUAC. Offensively, Roland contributed two goals and three assists, netting his first two college goals in back-to-back games against Penn State New Kensington and Penn State Hazleton on Oct. 6 and Oct. 7.

Welden started 16 matches for the Lions, posting a 12-2-2 record in goal. In addition to leading the PSUAC in wins, Welden topped the conference with five shutouts and a 0.86 goals-against average. His .852 save percentage ranked second in the league, while making 69 saves overall. Welden posted a scoreless streak of 411:35 during the season and enters the USCAA Tournament having allowed only one goal during his last seven appearances.

Skaer was also a major contributor to Brandywine's defense, starting 17 of the 18 matches he played. He also delivered one goal, scoring against Penn State Mont Alto on Sept. 30, and two assists.

Munoz was Brandywine's selection for the John Fritz Sportsmanship Award. Named after former PSUAC Commissioner John Fritz, the sportsmanship award is given to one player from each team in the league who best displays the core values of the league and sportsmanship to teammates and opponents throughout the season. Munoz played 15 games, starting eight during his senior season this fall.