November 11, 2021
Top divisional players Doros, Kovacevic, Yuma headline 2021 award winners and all-stars
Burlington, Ont. - A pair of sensational strikers and a masterful midfielder have seen their dominant on-field campaigns translate to award-winning results, as the talented trio's Player of the Year distinctions highlight the impressive assortment of award winners and all-stars from the 2021 Ontario University Athletics (OUA) men's soccer season.
The maroon machine was clicking on all cylinders this season and they produced a sweep of the Central Division awards as a result, with Dusan Kovacevic (Oakville, Ont.) at the heart of the team's hardware-winning contingent and on-field success.
The Player of the Year (Central) finished his offensive masterclass with McMaster ranking in a tie for first in the OUA in goals (12) and second in the OUA in points (15). Three of those markers were also of the game-winning variety, which put him third in the conference therein, while also ranking seventh overall in shots (25). The fifth-year striker led his team in each statistic, playing and starting in every game for McMaster this season. September's OUA athlete of the month began his campaign with a remarkable seven goals in two games against Algoma, while serving as a consistent contributor for the Hamilton squad down the stretch as well.
While the fifth-year forward put a bow on his impressive career in 2021, a fellow Marauder found his footing right out of the gates this season with a Rookie of the Year nod. Mohamed Al Shakman, a midfielder from Hamilton, Ont., suited up in eight games for his hometown team after missing McMaster's first weekend of games. He took on a starting assignment in six of those games, registering one goal and three assists on the season.
The top rookie nod marks the second for McMaster in their program's history, but when it comes to the Community Service Award, Cheikh Tchouambou Youmbi (Hamilton, Ont.) earns their fifth such honour.
Beyond being a pivotal centre back for the Marauders and helping to hold their opponents to 1.29 goals per games on the season, the third-year standout, who also earned an all-star nod for his on-field contributions, is also an avidly involved student-athlete off the pitch. The health sciences major helped jump start the school's first Black student-athlete council, works with the McMaster Athletes Care committee in visits to elementary schools as well as to the children's hospital, and is the vice president of the Black Aspiring Physicians at McMaster.
The contributions from all of these Marauders came under the watchful eye of head coach Dino Perri, who rounds out the award-winning McMaster quartet with the Central Division's Coach of the Year honour.
The veteran coach led his team to a 6-2-2 record, including a blistering 3-0 start. The team was third best in offensive firepower, scoring 34 goals on the season, which added up to a second-best conference mark of 3.09 goals per game. A full-time teacher away from the field, Perri navigated the lead-up to the season with minimal opportunities to bring the team together during the pandemic, but after guiding his club to a successful season on the pitch nonetheless, the Marauders' bench boss earns his first OUA honour in his 14-year career.
While they were unable to match McMaster's Central Division sweep, the Guelph Gryphons are the proud recipients of three divisional honours for their 2021 efforts, including the West Division Player of the Year selection.
Fourth-year centre midfielder Lucas Doros registered 620 minutes of play in eight regular season games for Guelph, and in doing so, was a crucial cog for the Gryphons in both ends of the pitch. On the offensive side, Doros netted three goals, which were the first three of his university career. On the defensive end, meanwhile, the Newmarket, Ont. native helped anchor the Gryphons to a league-low three goals allowed during the 2021 regular season, which included not surrendering a single marker at home. Named one of the BioSteel Gryphon Athletes of the Week earlier this season, Doros becomes the fourth Guelph player overall, and third consecutive, to take home the award.
Another award that the Gryphons, and Keith Mason specifically, are no strangers to is the Coach of the Year, which the Guelph bench boss takes home for a second time for the 2021 campaign.
In his 33rd consecutive season with the Gryphons program - 21st straight as head coach - Mason guided his troops through a season unlike any other following the return from the cancelled 2020 campaign. He oversaw a conference-best 8-0-2 record, thanks in large part to the emphasis on strong play in their own end. Although in a shortened season, the undefeated record on the year marked the first time the Gryphons accomplished the feat under Mason's watch. The 2011 OUA West Coach of the Year and U SPORTS Coach of the Year has previously led Guelph to a conference title, doing so in 2016, and with this strong regular season and postseason in tow, he has positioned his team for another chance at championship glory with Guelph now hosting their first conference final since 1990.
2021 also marks the fifth time that a Gryphon has earned the Community Service Award, with first-year midfielder Harvey Marchant getting the West Division's distinction this season. Despite this being his first season with the team, Marchant made an immediate impact to emerge as a leader both on the team and in the community, setting a strong example with his conduct on and off the field.
Seeing action in nine of Guelph's 10 regular season games, starting seven of them, Marchant was a consistent figure in his first OUA regular season. On the scoresheet, he tallied one assist, while also playing a significant role in Guelph's stingy defensive presence.
Beyond the pitch, the Fleet, England native has been an active member of Guelph Soccer, helping coach kids aged four to seven in the Futsal program. He was also named a program supervisor for Guelph Soccer and was an integral part of the organization's Neighbourhood Soccer Program this past summer, with a focus on engaging local youth in the sport in an affordable and accessible way.
Fellow first-year student-athlete Matheus Mello from the Waterloo Warriors also sees his name called as a 2021 award recipient, representing the black and gold as the West Division Rookie of the Year. For a rookie, Mello was beyond his years, leading the Warriors' offence to one of their best seasons in over a decade. The science and business student from Toronto, Ont. led the attack in the in the midfield and was also a key contributor on the defensive side of the ball, making it known that he will be a key part of this young Warriors squad for years to come.
Having already demonstrated what years of contributions can mean to a team, Dieu Merci Yuma headlines the East Division's award winners after another dominant on-field performance for the perennial powerhouses from York.
The Lions' striker, a native of Toronto, Ont., earns the Player of the Year (East) distinction after tying for the OUA lead in goals with 12, in addition to his five helpers on the season. Having been previously recognized this season as an OUA athlete of the week, Yuma's contributions have been both consistent and noteworthy throughout his team's masterful campaign. When watching him on the pitch, his presence and skill is unmatched, and even when the attention from the opposition flocks to him, his ability to set up his teammates makes him one of the most dynamic offensive players across the country.
The now two-time all-star is joined by head coach Carmine Isacco as divisional honourees, as the long-time Lion earns his seventh Coach of the Year selection. No stranger to individual recognition or team success, it was another season of both for Isacco and his Lions, as the decorated coach guided his squad to a division-leading 8-1-1 record.
The feat marked the 14th straight division title for York - every year Isacco has been a coach - and has since turned in to their eighth consecutive appearance in the OUA final. The two-time nationally recognized coach of the year, who also heads up York's women's soccer team, has helped lead York to lofty levels on both sides of the ball, and after the team dropped their opening game of the season, he helped them reach the top of the U SPORTS ranking as the nation's No. 1 team.
Another team that has staked out a consistent spot in the national ranks is the Carleton Ravens, and they will have the 2021 Rookie of the Year (East) helping to ensure that trend continues for years to come.
Matteo de Brienne (Ottawa, Ont.) registered seven goals in 2021, including three in a playoff-clinching game against Trent on October 29. Perhaps his biggest goal of the year, however, came when he picked a sensational volley from his teammate clean out of the air to draw even with the aforementioned Lions in a critical late season matchup. The long volley has been the talk of the soccer world as it continues to make waves on social media.
Beyond the highlight reel goals, the skilled rookie the Vancouver Whitecaps Academy has shown a veteran-like ability to punish defences. Fitting right in alongside perennial award nominees and all-stars on the Ravens' roster, the Carleton rookie, who also played with Atletic Ottawa in 2020, slotted in for nine of his team's fixtures in his debut campaign with the OUA squad.
Rounding out the standouts from the East is Nathaniel Sadler, as the third-year defender from the Ontario Tech Ridgebacks receives the division's Community Service Award. The Ajax, Ont. native has been actively involved in several school initiatives, using his role as a student-athlete to spark change across the Ontario Tech campus and beyond.
Sadler is an executive member of the inaugural Black Athlete Association at the university and a member of the Ridgeback Leadership Council. In his involvement with the former, Sadler contributes to the group's goals of, among others, fostering a sense of community and Ridgeback pride among black student-athletes; collaborating and supporting other racial groups to help advocate anti-racism with the Ridgeback community; and increasing Black representation at Ontario Tech on all levels of the athletics program. With the latter, the kinesiology major plays a key part in encouraging athlete engagement/involvement, community outreach, and leadership development.
The complete list of 2021 OUA men's soccer award winners and all-stars is as follows:
Award Winners
East Division
Most Valuable Player - Dieu Merci Yuma, York
Coach of the Year - Carmine Isacco, York
Rookie of the Year - Matteo de Brienne, Carleton
Community Service Award - Nathaniel Sadler, Ontario Tech
Central Division
Most Valuable Player - Dusan Kovacevic, McMaster
Coach of the Year - Dino Perri, McMaster
Rookie of the Year - Mohamed Al Shakman, McMaster
Community Service Award - Cheikh Tchouambou Youmbi, McMaster
West Division
Most Valuable Player - Lucas Doros, Guelph
Coach of the Year - Keith Mason, Guelph
Rookie of the Year - Matheus Mello, Waterloo
Community Service Award - Harvey Marchant, Guelph
All-Stars
East Division
Goalkeeper - Kyle Potter, Carleton
Goalkeeper - George Tzimas, York
Defender - Raphael Garcia, Carleton
Defender - Jadon Vilfort, York
Defender - Tareq Hamad, Carleton
Defender - Jacob Begley, Ontario Tech
Midfielder - Soji Olatoye, York
Midfielder - Emmanuel Zambazis, York
Midfielder - Scott Mazzotta, Carleton
Midfielder - Milosh Stojanovic, Queen's
Striker - Dieu Merci Yuma, York
Striker - Gabriel Bitar, Carleton
Central Division
Goalkeeper - Tristan Joyce, McMaster
Goalkeeper - Ben Grondin, Toronto
Defender - Matt Monteiro, McMaster
Defender - Kai Martin, Rams
Defender - Cheikh Tchouambou Youmbi, McMaster
Defender - Jacob Maurutto-Robinson, Toronto
Defender - Mohamed Abdallah, Rams
Midfielder - Antonio Sereno, McMaster
Midfielder - Abdallah El-Chanti, Rams
Midfielder - Nikola Stakic, Toronto
Midfielder - Jack Collins, Nipissing
Striker - Dusan Kovacevic, McMaster
West Division
Goalkeeper - Svyatoslav Artemenko, Guelph
Goalkeeper - Samuel Spoelstra, Western
Defender - Ian Vidovich, Guelph
Defender - Harvey Marchant, Guelph
Defender - Aidan Bauer Marr, Western
Defender - Luka Frankovich, Waterloo
Midfielder - Lucas Doros, Guelph
Midfielder - Jack Sears, Guelph
Midfielder - Matheus Mello, Waterloo
Midfielder - Patrick Melo, Western
Striker - Michael Solomon, Brock
Striker - Sebastian Guerrieri, Waterloo
The maroon machine was clicking on all cylinders this season and they produced a sweep of the Central Division awards as a result, with Dusan Kovacevic (Oakville, Ont.) at the heart of the team's hardware-winning contingent and on-field success.
The Player of the Year (Central) finished his offensive masterclass with McMaster ranking in a tie for first in the OUA in goals (12) and second in the OUA in points (15). Three of those markers were also of the game-winning variety, which put him third in the conference therein, while also ranking seventh overall in shots (25). The fifth-year striker led his team in each statistic, playing and starting in every game for McMaster this season. September's OUA athlete of the month began his campaign with a remarkable seven goals in two games against Algoma, while serving as a consistent contributor for the Hamilton squad down the stretch as well.
While the fifth-year forward put a bow on his impressive career in 2021, a fellow Marauder found his footing right out of the gates this season with a Rookie of the Year nod. Mohamed Al Shakman, a midfielder from Hamilton, Ont., suited up in eight games for his hometown team after missing McMaster's first weekend of games. He took on a starting assignment in six of those games, registering one goal and three assists on the season.
The top rookie nod marks the second for McMaster in their program's history, but when it comes to the Community Service Award, Cheikh Tchouambou Youmbi (Hamilton, Ont.) earns their fifth such honour.
Beyond being a pivotal centre back for the Marauders and helping to hold their opponents to 1.29 goals per games on the season, the third-year standout, who also earned an all-star nod for his on-field contributions, is also an avidly involved student-athlete off the pitch. The health sciences major helped jump start the school's first Black student-athlete council, works with the McMaster Athletes Care committee in visits to elementary schools as well as to the children's hospital, and is the vice president of the Black Aspiring Physicians at McMaster.
The contributions from all of these Marauders came under the watchful eye of head coach Dino Perri, who rounds out the award-winning McMaster quartet with the Central Division's Coach of the Year honour.
The veteran coach led his team to a 6-2-2 record, including a blistering 3-0 start. The team was third best in offensive firepower, scoring 34 goals on the season, which added up to a second-best conference mark of 3.09 goals per game. A full-time teacher away from the field, Perri navigated the lead-up to the season with minimal opportunities to bring the team together during the pandemic, but after guiding his club to a successful season on the pitch nonetheless, the Marauders' bench boss earns his first OUA honour in his 14-year career.
While they were unable to match McMaster's Central Division sweep, the Guelph Gryphons are the proud recipients of three divisional honours for their 2021 efforts, including the West Division Player of the Year selection.
Fourth-year centre midfielder Lucas Doros registered 620 minutes of play in eight regular season games for Guelph, and in doing so, was a crucial cog for the Gryphons in both ends of the pitch. On the offensive side, Doros netted three goals, which were the first three of his university career. On the defensive end, meanwhile, the Newmarket, Ont. native helped anchor the Gryphons to a league-low three goals allowed during the 2021 regular season, which included not surrendering a single marker at home. Named one of the BioSteel Gryphon Athletes of the Week earlier this season, Doros becomes the fourth Guelph player overall, and third consecutive, to take home the award.
Another award that the Gryphons, and Keith Mason specifically, are no strangers to is the Coach of the Year, which the Guelph bench boss takes home for a second time for the 2021 campaign.
In his 33rd consecutive season with the Gryphons program - 21st straight as head coach - Mason guided his troops through a season unlike any other following the return from the cancelled 2020 campaign. He oversaw a conference-best 8-0-2 record, thanks in large part to the emphasis on strong play in their own end. Although in a shortened season, the undefeated record on the year marked the first time the Gryphons accomplished the feat under Mason's watch. The 2011 OUA West Coach of the Year and U SPORTS Coach of the Year has previously led Guelph to a conference title, doing so in 2016, and with this strong regular season and postseason in tow, he has positioned his team for another chance at championship glory with Guelph now hosting their first conference final since 1990.
2021 also marks the fifth time that a Gryphon has earned the Community Service Award, with first-year midfielder Harvey Marchant getting the West Division's distinction this season. Despite this being his first season with the team, Marchant made an immediate impact to emerge as a leader both on the team and in the community, setting a strong example with his conduct on and off the field.
Seeing action in nine of Guelph's 10 regular season games, starting seven of them, Marchant was a consistent figure in his first OUA regular season. On the scoresheet, he tallied one assist, while also playing a significant role in Guelph's stingy defensive presence.
Beyond the pitch, the Fleet, England native has been an active member of Guelph Soccer, helping coach kids aged four to seven in the Futsal program. He was also named a program supervisor for Guelph Soccer and was an integral part of the organization's Neighbourhood Soccer Program this past summer, with a focus on engaging local youth in the sport in an affordable and accessible way.
Fellow first-year student-athlete Matheus Mello from the Waterloo Warriors also sees his name called as a 2021 award recipient, representing the black and gold as the West Division Rookie of the Year. For a rookie, Mello was beyond his years, leading the Warriors' offence to one of their best seasons in over a decade. The science and business student from Toronto, Ont. led the attack in the in the midfield and was also a key contributor on the defensive side of the ball, making it known that he will be a key part of this young Warriors squad for years to come.
Having already demonstrated what years of contributions can mean to a team, Dieu Merci Yuma headlines the East Division's award winners after another dominant on-field performance for the perennial powerhouses from York.
The Lions' striker, a native of Toronto, Ont., earns the Player of the Year (East) distinction after tying for the OUA lead in goals with 12, in addition to his five helpers on the season. Having been previously recognized this season as an OUA athlete of the week, Yuma's contributions have been both consistent and noteworthy throughout his team's masterful campaign. When watching him on the pitch, his presence and skill is unmatched, and even when the attention from the opposition flocks to him, his ability to set up his teammates makes him one of the most dynamic offensive players across the country.
The now two-time all-star is joined by head coach Carmine Isacco as divisional honourees, as the long-time Lion earns his seventh Coach of the Year selection. No stranger to individual recognition or team success, it was another season of both for Isacco and his Lions, as the decorated coach guided his squad to a division-leading 8-1-1 record.
The feat marked the 14th straight division title for York - every year Isacco has been a coach - and has since turned in to their eighth consecutive appearance in the OUA final. The two-time nationally recognized coach of the year, who also heads up York's women's soccer team, has helped lead York to lofty levels on both sides of the ball, and after the team dropped their opening game of the season, he helped them reach the top of the U SPORTS ranking as the nation's No. 1 team.
Another team that has staked out a consistent spot in the national ranks is the Carleton Ravens, and they will have the 2021 Rookie of the Year (East) helping to ensure that trend continues for years to come.
Matteo de Brienne (Ottawa, Ont.) registered seven goals in 2021, including three in a playoff-clinching game against Trent on October 29. Perhaps his biggest goal of the year, however, came when he picked a sensational volley from his teammate clean out of the air to draw even with the aforementioned Lions in a critical late season matchup. The long volley has been the talk of the soccer world as it continues to make waves on social media.
Beyond the highlight reel goals, the skilled rookie the Vancouver Whitecaps Academy has shown a veteran-like ability to punish defences. Fitting right in alongside perennial award nominees and all-stars on the Ravens' roster, the Carleton rookie, who also played with Atletic Ottawa in 2020, slotted in for nine of his team's fixtures in his debut campaign with the OUA squad.
Rounding out the standouts from the East is Nathaniel Sadler, as the third-year defender from the Ontario Tech Ridgebacks receives the division's Community Service Award. The Ajax, Ont. native has been actively involved in several school initiatives, using his role as a student-athlete to spark change across the Ontario Tech campus and beyond.
Sadler is an executive member of the inaugural Black Athlete Association at the university and a member of the Ridgeback Leadership Council. In his involvement with the former, Sadler contributes to the group's goals of, among others, fostering a sense of community and Ridgeback pride among black student-athletes; collaborating and supporting other racial groups to help advocate anti-racism with the Ridgeback community; and increasing Black representation at Ontario Tech on all levels of the athletics program. With the latter, the kinesiology major plays a key part in encouraging athlete engagement/involvement, community outreach, and leadership development.
The complete list of 2021 OUA men's soccer award winners and all-stars is as follows:
Award Winners
East Division
Most Valuable Player - Dieu Merci Yuma, York
Coach of the Year - Carmine Isacco, York
Rookie of the Year - Matteo de Brienne, Carleton
Community Service Award - Nathaniel Sadler, Ontario Tech
Central Division
Most Valuable Player - Dusan Kovacevic, McMaster
Coach of the Year - Dino Perri, McMaster
Rookie of the Year - Mohamed Al Shakman, McMaster
Community Service Award - Cheikh Tchouambou Youmbi, McMaster
West Division
Most Valuable Player - Lucas Doros, Guelph
Coach of the Year - Keith Mason, Guelph
Rookie of the Year - Matheus Mello, Waterloo
Community Service Award - Harvey Marchant, Guelph
All-Stars
East Division
Goalkeeper - Kyle Potter, Carleton
Goalkeeper - George Tzimas, York
Defender - Raphael Garcia, Carleton
Defender - Jadon Vilfort, York
Defender - Tareq Hamad, Carleton
Defender - Jacob Begley, Ontario Tech
Midfielder - Soji Olatoye, York
Midfielder - Emmanuel Zambazis, York
Midfielder - Scott Mazzotta, Carleton
Midfielder - Milosh Stojanovic, Queen's
Striker - Dieu Merci Yuma, York
Striker - Gabriel Bitar, Carleton
Central Division
Goalkeeper - Tristan Joyce, McMaster
Goalkeeper - Ben Grondin, Toronto
Defender - Matt Monteiro, McMaster
Defender - Kai Martin, Rams
Defender - Cheikh Tchouambou Youmbi, McMaster
Defender - Jacob Maurutto-Robinson, Toronto
Defender - Mohamed Abdallah, Rams
Midfielder - Antonio Sereno, McMaster
Midfielder - Abdallah El-Chanti, Rams
Midfielder - Nikola Stakic, Toronto
Midfielder - Jack Collins, Nipissing
Striker - Dusan Kovacevic, McMaster
West Division
Goalkeeper - Svyatoslav Artemenko, Guelph
Goalkeeper - Samuel Spoelstra, Western
Defender - Ian Vidovich, Guelph
Defender - Harvey Marchant, Guelph
Defender - Aidan Bauer Marr, Western
Defender - Luka Frankovich, Waterloo
Midfielder - Lucas Doros, Guelph
Midfielder - Jack Sears, Guelph
Midfielder - Matheus Mello, Waterloo
Midfielder - Patrick Melo, Western
Striker - Michael Solomon, Brock
Striker - Sebastian Guerrieri, Waterloo
