MASL HONORS CONTINUE WITH OFFENSIVE, DEFENSIVE, AND NEWCOMER PLAYER OF THE YEAR AWARDS

TAMPA, Fla. – The Major Arena Soccer League 2 Honors announcements continue with 3 more awards. M2 Commissioner Chris Economides announced today further league-wide awards for the recently completed season, including Cleveland’s Mike Derezic as Newcomer (formally Rookie) of the Year joined by Offensive Player of the Year Vitor Patriani of Amarillo, Defender of the Year Kevin Ten Eyck of Wichita and the previously announced Golden Boot Award winner Francisco Rivas of the Colorado Inferno.

Patriani was MVP of the 2019-20 U.S. Arena Pro Soccer League with 33 goals for the Bombers before that league became part of M2, and he continued his success this past season, finishing second in the league in total points behind Rivas (29 goals, 16 assists, 16 games played) with 20 goals and 11 assists in just 10 games played, the second highest points-per-game average in the league.

The highest PPG average belonged to Dezeric – a standout for Cleveland State which was also a proving ground for such Crunch teammates as Admir Suljevic and Kevin Blackwood. The one time Viking and star at nearby Lakewood High School, dressed for seven of Cleveland’s 10 games, but still managed 17 goals and 6 assists for a 3.3 PPG mark. His 17 goals was 6th best in M2 this past season.

Ten Eyck has a stored history in the indoor game in Wichita, and led M2 in blocks this past year with 24. His family were season ticket holders for the original Wings franchise that regularly packed the Kansas Coliseum in the Major Indoor Soccer League, and Ten Eyck finally suited up for his hometown side for the first time during the 2011-12 MISL season where he earned First Team All Rookie Honors. He was a standout at nearby Friends University, where he was inducted into the school’s hall of fame in 2016. He also played two years with the Missouri (now Kansas City) Comets, and two years outdoors with Wichita FC. He has also made appearances for the U.S. National Futsal team.

Next week will bring the announcement of the M2 Coach of the Year, and the final honor, Most Valuable Player, will be revealed at a later to be determined date.