Eagles Soccer Ends 2021 Strong & Looks Ahead to 2022
Waleska, GA - As training camp opens each August; there is always an anticipation and excitement surrounding a new season that lies ahead. It is only after a season concludes that one can fully appreciate a team's journey and feel grateful for the opportunity to make memories with teammates that will last a lifetime.
After winning both the Appalachian Athletic Conference regular season championship and tournament championship in 2020; the Eagles were poised to be highly competitive in 2021.
The 2021 season saw the Eagles start with 10-0 record as the team rose to a national ranking of #19 in their quest for back to back AAC championships. Five AAC teams, including Reinhardt U, were represented in the national Top 25 rankings in 2021 displaying the strength of AAC men's soccer on the national stage. The Eagles set a program record for most AAC wins in a season with ten conference victories as they moved the bar higher from last season's nine. Reinhardt finished with an overall record of 13-4 and a 10-3 AAC mark.
The Eagle's Senior class, whom had the benefit of an additional year of eligibility due to the pandemic, have left a strong legacy to others who will join the program in the future. The Seniors have contributed to 62 wins, a 42-8-3 AAC record and earned 4 AAC championship titles during their collegiate careers.
Four players were recognized by the AAC coaches as All-Conference selections for the 2021 campaign. Goalkeeper, Niko Tzevelekos, was named AAC 1st team goalkeeper for the second consecutive year. Defender, Trevor Robinson, was honored as an AAC 1st team selection for his contributions this season. Striker, Pavel Dashin, was named to the AAC 1st team after he had a breakout season where he led the Eagles in scoring with 12 goals on the year. Defender, Arthur Hugon, was selected to the AAC 2nd team for his quality at the center back position in 2021.
A program best, fourteen athletes were named to the AAC All-Academic team which has a minimum qualification of a 3.25 GPA as an upperclassmen. Gabriel Stefansson, Severin Ryf, Niko Tzevelekos, Aaron Whitten, Carlos Ayala-Viera, Pavel Dashin, Gian-Luca Fahling, Gus Fidler, Philip Frowis, Badr-Eddine Laklech, Rafael Pais, Raphael Mospanyuk, Andrew Griswold and Andres Jorquera were selected for their achievements on the field and in the classroom in 2021.
Senior, Gus Fidler, was selected to the 2021 AAC Champions of Character team representing Reinhardt University.
" I am grateful for the opportunity to have had another season's journey together with the players. I embrace it all… the highs and lows… as they are great preparation for something far greater than a game. The character and positive personal attributes that one has the potential to develop in such an environment can serve a man well the rest of his life."