Feb. 7, 2013
PHILADELPHIA - Four Hawks from the men's soccer team were honored at the Philadelphia Soccer Six banquet held at the University City Sheraton on Wednesday evening. Freshman midfielder Tim Lazorko highlighted the way as the first-year standout garnered both 2012 Soccer Six All-Star and All-Rookie accolades.
Lazorko led SJU in assists (5), points (15), and shots (46) and tied for first in goals (5) and shots on goal (20) in his 17 starts on the season. The freshman was twice named Philadelphia Soccer Six Player of the Week (10/1, 10/21) and earned Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Week honors once en route to being selected to the 2012 Atlantic 10 All-Rookie team. Lazorko also earned team honors as he was selected Saint Joseph's Offensive Player of the Year and Rookie of the Year.
"Tim was an impact on the field for us this past season and deserves to be recognized at the Soccer Six banquet," said Saint Joseph's men's soccer head coach Don D'Ambra. "He has a bright future and I am confident that he will put in the work needed to continue to improve his game."
Three additional Hawks were honored for weekly awards received throughout the 2012 season.
Redshirt junior goalkeeper Andrew D'Ottavi posted three shutouts and made nine or more saves in five separate games in between the pipes for the Hawks. D'Ottavi also earned multiple Philadelphia Soccer Six honors as he was twice named Defender of the Week (9/17, 10/29).
"Andrew was very solid on goal for us this year and it is nice to see him getting recognized at the Soccer Six banquet," said D'Ambra. "He is a returning captain and we know his leadership and experience will make a difference in the upcoming fall season."
Sophomore midfielder Jake Nelson tied for second on the team in goals (two) and ranked second in assists (three) and third in points (seven). Nelson was named Philadelphia Soccer Six Player of the Week (10/1) after recording both the game-winning assist on Lazorko's game-winning goal against Bucknell on Sept. 25 and his own overtime game-winner against Loyola on Sept. 29.
"Jake had a few games where he made impact plays," said D'Ambra. "I'm glad to see that he is being recognized for his playmaking ability. I am confident that Jake will keep working hard and take on a larger role with the team as a leader on the field."
Freshman forward Emmanuel Temeh came through big for the Hawks in a 3-2 overtime win over A-10 opponent Rhode Island on Oct. 14. Temeh netted two goals, including the overtime game-winner, and earned both Philadelphia Soccer Six and A-10 Rookie of the Week honors (10/15) for the breakthrough performance.
"Emmanuel is being recognized for having an excellent game against Rhode Island," said D'Ambra. "He was a major contributor in scoring two goals to help his team win a tough A-10 match. He showed that he has the potential to make big plays for our team. I hope that being recognized by Soccer Six will motivate him to continue to work hard on his game."
Saint Joseph's posted a 5-11-2 overall record while going 1-6-2 in conference action this past season. The Hawks will look to return Lazorko, D'Ottavi, Nelson, and Temeh along with 19 additional letterwinners for the fall of 2013.
