MACKINNEL AND WEST AD3I PLAYERS OF THE YEAR
NEW LONDON, CT.---The 2006 All-Independent Men's Soccer teams were announced recently by the Association of Division III Independents (AD3I). Mitchell College, the 2006 Northeast AD3I Regional Champions, finished the season with seven players earning recognition.
In a three-way tie, senior midfielder and team captain Chris Mackinnel was named Offensive Player of the Year and earned a spot on the 2006 AD3I First Team. Mackinnel, son of Chris and Michelle Mackinnel of Branford, Connecticut, finished out his senior season leading the Pequots in goals (9), assists (5) and points (23). Named the Most Outstanding Player at the 2006 AD3I Northeast Regional Tournament, Mackinnel scored the game winning goal in the championship match against Newbury College. Twice this season he earned AD3I Player of the Week recognition. Mackinnel has earned All-Independent recognition each of the three years that Mitchell has been a member of the AD3I (First-Team in 2005, Second Team in 2004). A member of the Mitchell College Dean's List, an active member of Mitchell's Student Athlete Advisory Committee and Chi Alpha Si (National Collegiate Athlete Honor Society), Mackinnel will graduate this May with his BA in Business Administration.
Head Coach Dean Roberts comments, "Chris is one of two players in Mitchell's history to play four years. Chris was a freshman when Mitchell still competed at the NJCAA two year level. I believe Chris' impact to Mitchell soccer is as important as any player who has worn the Mitchell uniform."
Freshman goalkeeper Ryan West earned honors as both Goalkeeper (tie) and Rookie of the Year. In his first season with the Pequots, West tallied 79 saves, four shutouts and allowed only one goal in seven other games finishing the year with a 9-6-3 record. West joins Mackinnel on this year's AD3I All-Independent First Team. West is the son of Tom and Gayle West of New Britain, Connecticut. Head Coach Dean Roberts added, "Ryan did a tremendous job stepping into the starting goalkeeper position as a freshman. Ryan continued to develop and get better each game. He was a significant player in Mitchell College's AD3I Northeast Regional Championship."
Earning All-Independent Second Team honors are junior midfielder Joshua DaSilveira (Milford, CT) and sophomore defender Justin Curtis (Fairfield, CT). DaSilveira, son of Cecilia DaSilveira, finished his season with four goals and four assists for the Pequots. Curtis, son of Dawn and Brian Curtis, was a distinct presence in the Pequot back field. Sophomore forward Josh Griffo (Higganum, CT), sophomore forward Kevin Patterson (Narragansett, RI), and junior defender Niko Papathanasiou (New London, CT) all received Honorable Mention. DaSilveira, Griffo and Patterson were all named to the AD3I Northeast Regional Tournament Team this season.
The Association of Division III Independents consists of 25 Division III independent institutions that have joined together to recognize student-athletes at independent institutions, and to provide exempted postseason championship competition in nine sports in 2006-07. The Association recognizes outstanding athletic achievements of its student-athletes on a weekly, monthly and annual basis. The Association provides statistical services for its members in seven sports. In addition, it will announce All-Independent teams at the conclusion of eight other sports this year.
More information about the Association of Division III Independents is available at http://www.d3independents.org/.