BRIDGEWATER, Va. -- Senior All-American
Derek Cook headlined a group of three Christopher Newport men's soccer players to earn All-State honors on Thursday as announced by the Virginia Sports Information Directors (VaSID). Cook was named a first team All-State pick while sophomore
Will Collins and junior
Davis Pillow each earned a spot on the second team.
With Cook's selection, it is the eighth straight season Christopher Newport has featured at least one first team All-State defender. It is his first career All-State designation after helping lead a record-breaking defense in 2019.
Cook led the way for the Captains on both ends of the field as he tied for the team's scoring lead while anchoring the best defense in program history. With Cook in the middle of the stingy defense, the Captains allowed just 12 goals in over 2,014 minutes of action for a program-record 0.54 goals against average. Christopher Newport ranked fifth nationally in GAA and fourth in save percentage, also setting the program mark.
While the defense was imposing, Cook also led the team offensively by tying for the Captains' scoring lead with 18 points. He registered six goals and added six assists while going a perfect 6-for-6 on penalty kicks during the season. The six makes from the spot tied the program single season record. He wrapped up his stellar swan song as the CAC Defensive Player of the Year, a second team All-American, and two-time All-Conference selection.
Joining Cook on the formidable back line was Pillow, who was one of only three players to start all 21 games for the nationally-ranked Captains. The 6-2 junior back helped the Captains post 11 shutouts during the season while the back line allowed just 8.2 shots per game. On the offensive side of the ball, Pillow chipped in a pair of goals and one assist for five points. Pillow was named a CoSIDA Academic All-District and United Soccer Coaches Scholar All-Region selection for his prowess off the field as well, posting a 3.89 cumulative GPA while majoring in Finance.
Finally, rounding out the 2019 All-State selections was sophomore forward
Will Collins, earning his first career nod. Collins was named a second team All-Region pick while also garnering second team All-Conference honors in his second year. He started 20 and played in all 21 games for the Captains offense and ranked fourth on the team in scoring with 12 points. He scored four goals and added four assists while picking up a pair of game-winning strikes. He led all non-defenders in minutes played and took 38 shots during the season, putting 18 on frame.
Christopher Newport won the Capital Athletic Conference regular season title and reached the championship game in the conference tournament. The Captains earned an at-large berth into the NCAA Tournament, making the team's 11th appearance in the postseason, and would advance tot he second round after a 1-0 win against Eastern. After a scoreless draw in the second round, Christopher Newport's season would end in a penalty kick shootout against Swarthmore, concluding the year with a 14-2-5 overall record.
2019 VaSID All-State Men's Soccer College Awards
Player of the Year
Gabriel Soriano Midfielder University of Mary Washington Fredericksburg, Va.
Rookie of the Year
Luke Mega Forward University of Lynchburg Glen Allen, Va.
Coach of the Year
Mike Singleton Washington and Lee University
All-State First Team
Position Player School Hometown
Defender Ben Ahrens University of Mary Washington Richmond, VA
Defender Derek Cook Christopher Newport University Yorktown, Va.
Defender Tim Leuenberger Roanoke College
Forward Jeremy Hokenson University of Mary Washington Fredericksburg, VA
Forward Jacob Mann Hampden-Sydney College Mebane, N.C.
Forward Luke Mega University of Lynchburg Glen Allen, Va.
Midfielder Samuel Bass Washington and Lee University Charlotte, N.C.
Midfielder Spell Carr Hampden-Sydney College Clinton, N.C.
Midfielder Oliver Dolberg Washington and Lee University Clovis, Calif.
Midfielder Gabriel Soriano University of Mary Washington Fredericksburg, VA
Goalie Ken Kurtz University of Mary Washington Katonah, N.Y.
All-State Second Team
Position Player School Hometown
Defender Seth Chapman Washington and Lee University Williamston, Mich.
Defender Davis Pillow Christopher Newport University Smithfield, Va.
Defender Jack Rawlins Washington and Lee University Springfield, Va.
Forward Liam Camilleri Roanoke College
Forward Will Collins Christopher Newport University Richmond, Va.
Forward Penny Senior Randolph-Macon College Kingston, Jamaica
Forward Thomas White Bridgewater College Virginia Beach, Va.
Midfielder Gabe Krueger Randolph College Jacksonville, N.C.
Midfielder Ben Mackey University of Lynchburg Leesburg, Va.
Midfielder Ridwaan Robinson Marymount University Washington, D.C.
Goalie Michael Nyc Washington and Lee University Kildeer, Ill.
