Ocean City Nor’easters Forward Chevaughn Walsh Named 2016 PDL MVP
The PDL has announced the All-League Awards recipients following the conclusion of the 2016 season. Chevaughn Walsh of Ocean City Nor’easters is awarded 2016 PDL MVP honors, while Demir Muftari was voted PDL Coach of the Year after leading the Michigan Bucks to its third PDL National Championship.
Related Article: Michigan Bucks Win Third PDL Soccer Championship
PDL Soccer News: Ocean City Nor’easters forward Chevaughn Walsh has been awarded 2016 PDL MVP honors after netting a league-high 14 goals and providing three assists during the regular season.
Walsh led the Nor’easters to a 2016 PDL Playoffs berth – the club’s first postseason appearance since 2013. The forward had a strong – and at times unstoppable – campaign in the Mid Atlantic Division, recording four multi-goal games during the regular season. Along with being named MVP, Walsh also earns the 2016 PDL Golden Boot award, scoring one more goal than Fresno Fuego forward Christian Chaney and OKC Energy U23 midfielder Noah Keats.
The Michigan Bucks, who will play Calgary Foothills FC in the 2016 PDL Championship at 7:30 p.m. ET from the Ultimate Soccer Arenas in Pontiac, Michigan, on Saturday, have three award winners this season.
Alhassan Abubakar was voted 2016 PDL Defender of the Year, b earned 2016 Creative Player of the Year honors after recording nine assists during the regular season and Demir Muftari has been named 2016 PDL Coach of the Year.
2016 PDL MVP – Chevaughn Walsh (Ocean City Nor’easters)
The 21-year-old forward, who is ranked second in the sixth edition of the 2016 PDL Top Prospects list, scored 14 goals and provided three assists during the season. Walsh caused problems for back lines all season long en route to helping the Nor’easters clinch a PDL Playoffs berth for the first time in three years.
2016 PDL Golden Boot – Chevaughn Wlash (Ocean City Nor’easters)
Walsh led the PDL in goals scored with 14 during the regular season, scoring two hat tricks and two braces in his time with the Nor’easters. He beat out the Fuego’s Chaney and the Energy U23’s Keats for this year’s PDL Golden Boot honors, as his competitors each finished the season with 13 goals.
2016 PDL Coach of the Year – Demir Muftari (Michigan Bucks)
Muftari was voted PDL Coach of the Year after leading the Bucks to a league-best 12-2-0 record and a Great Lakes Division title in 2016. For a second consecutive year, the Bucks finished with the most points during the regular season, and Muftari’s side was dominant on both sides of the ball. The Bucks led the league in goals scored with 45, and the club only allowed seven goals.
2016 PDL Defender of the Year – Alhassan Abubakar (Michigan Bucks)
The 21-year-old defender, ranked third in the sixth edition of the PDL Top Prospects list, was instrumental for the Bucks in 2016. The University of Dayton defender played 12 games during the regular season, helping the Bucks record nine shutouts while earning a Great Lakes Division title.
2016 PDL Goalkeeper of the Year – Ryan Cretens (Carolina Dynamo)
The 20-year-old was voted PDL Goalkeeper of the Year after a stellar campaign in the South Atlantic Division for the Carolina Dynamo. The UNC Wilmington netminder earned five shutouts, made 32 saves and recorded an impressive 0.35 goals against average in nine games during the 2016 regular season.
2016 PDL Creative Player of the Year – Adam Najem (Michigan Bucks)
Najem earns PDL Creative Player of the Year honors after assisting a league-high nine goals during the 2016 regular season for the Bucks. The University of Akron talent had two multi-assist games during the campaign, helping the Bucks capture a league-best 12-2-0 record.
2016 PDL Young Player of the Year – Sven König (K-W United FC)
König earns Young Player of the Year honors following an impressive regular season for K-W United FC. The 20-year-old scored 12 goals – tied for the most in the Central Conference – and provided one assist while leading the Canadian club to a PDL Playoffs berth in the Great Lakes Division.
Source/Photo Credit: United Soccer League
