LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) – Five UNLV men's soccer players garnered Western Athletic Conference (WAC) postseason awards, the league office announced Friday.
Headlining the Rebels' accolades, seniors
Louis Hiepen and
Nico Lopez were each named to the All-WAC Second Team. Additionally,
Hugo Lemos,
Tyler Ware and
Hermann Ragnarsson received WAC All-Freshman Team honors.
"This is a nice feather in our cap for the program to have five players recognized on a team that has had so many players contribute on both sides of the ball this year," said UNLV head coach
BJ Craig. "To have two of our senior leaders honored, along with three freshmen, speaks volumes for our current team as we head into the tournament and the future of UNLV men's soccer."
Originally from Oregon City, Oregon, Lopez sparked the Rebel attack throughout the year to finish as the team leader in points (11), goals (3) and assists (5). He ranked fourth in assists (5) and assists per game (0.31), as well as 10th in points and shots (28) among all WAC players on the year.
Hiepen, a native of Mönchengladbach, Germany, earned the recognition after posting a career-high three points. The Scarlet & Gray captain guided the squad's backline to two shutouts as a defender and notched his first career three-point match, including the game-winning score and an assist vs. San Jose State.
A goalkeeper from A Coruna, Spain, Lemos ended the year ranked among league's top six in each goalkeeping statistical category. The UNLV defensive anchor finished tied for second in saves (62) and saves per game (4.43), third in save percentage (.775) and tied for sixth in both shutouts (2) and goals against average (1.31).
Ware, a forward from Hooper, Utah, ranked second on the team in points (7) and assists (3), tied for second in goals (2) and was one of three Rebels - alongside Hiepen and Lopez - with a multiple-point game. He also tied for second overall and led all freshmen in assists (3) and assists per game (0.38) during conference play.
Hailing from Hofn, Iceland, Ragnarsson finished the season tied with Ware for second among all Rebels with two goals and tied for third on the squad in points (5) and assists (1).
UP NEXT: The fourth-seeded Rebels will play No. 5 seed Utah Valley in the first round of the WAC Tournament at Peter Johann Memorial Field Sunday at 1 p.m. PT.
