WILLIAMSTOWN, MA – Williams College men's soccer team senior captains Pete Christman and Matt Ratajczak and freshman Mohammed Rashid have garnered All-New England North honors in a vote by the regional members of the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA).
Christman, a midfielder from Falmouth, MA, collected First Team honors, while Ratajczak, a central back from Brooklyn, NY, was a Second Team honoree and Rashid a forward from Accra, Ghana, was a Second Team selection.
This marks the third time that Ratajczak has been honored by the region's coaches.
Additionally, Ratajczak collected ECAC-New England First Team honors and Rashid was accorded ECAC-New England Rookie of the Year honors.
The two senior captains, both four-year lettermen, and the dynamic Rashid were key ingredients in helping the Ephs post an unbeaten regular season (6th in coach Mike Russo's 34-year tenure) and sculpt an overall record of 16-2-4, finishing the year with an appearance in the NCAA Semifinals in San Antonio, TX.
Christman notched three goals and one assist on the year and one of his goals was a game-winner. "Peter is the consummate midfielder as he can play central, wing or defensive midfield and he has a soft touch and a knack for playing the ball through the defense to create scoring opportunites," said Russo.
Ratajczak netted two goals on the year, while organizing the Eph backline that allowed but 0.62 goals a game. "Although hampered by injury throughout the year, Matt was instrumental in our team defense allowing only 14 goals in 21 matches," commented Russo. "He was imposing in the backline as on numerous occasions, he would head the ball out of the defensive third of the field to prevent opponents from creating goal scoring opportunities. In addition, he is able to switch the field with long accurate passes as well as anyone in the country. As co-captain, he provided excellent leadership both on and off the field. He will be sorely missed in 2013."
Rashid led the Ephs in goals scored (6) and assists (7), while also leading the Ephs in points with 19. Rashid netted one game-winner on the year and it came in his first collegiate contest when he netted both Eph goals at Westfield State in the Ephs' 2-1 season opening win.
Previously Christman and Ratajczak were accorded First Team All-NESCAC honors and Rashid earned NESCAC Second Team and Rookie of the Year laurels. "Rashid had a fantastic first year," noted Mike Russo. "He was our most creative player as he is able to play himself out of tight situations with ease. He possesses an excellent first touch which, enables him to make great decisions when he is on the ball. He was able to create goals and score them as is manifested by his leading the team in total points on the offensive side. Further, he possesses a great work ethic which enables him to assist on the defensive side of the ball. A team player, Rashid always works first for the team and then for himself."
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| Peter Christman '13 | Mohammed Rashid '16 |
