Huskies earn MAC honors ahead of tournament

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James Krause | Northern Star

The men’s soccer team celebrates after a goal by sophomore midfielder Eddie Knight in the 88th minute sealed a 2-0 win over West Virginia on Oct. 9.

By Northern Star Staff

DeKALB — Senior forward Nick Markanich was named the Mid-American Conference Player of the Year for the second consecutive year on Wednesday.

Nick Markanich had an outstanding season for the Huskies; he tied for third in the nation with 14 goals and ranked fourth nationally with 32 points. The forward also had five game-winning goals, which is tied for fourth-most in the nation.

Nick Markanich becomes just the third player in conference history to win the award twice, joining Jamal Shteiwi of the University of Kentucky in 2003 and 2004, and Bryon Carmichael of Marshall University in 2000 and 2002.

Nick Markanich, along with senior defenseman Anthony Markanich, redshirt senior midfielder Pepe Martinez and redshirt junior goalkeeper Martin Sanchez, was also named to the All-MAC First Team.

Head coach Ryan Swan also took home the Gary V. Palmisano Coach of the Year award, reserved for the best coach in the MAC.

With the award, Swan becomes the second coach in NIU history to take home the honors. He won the Great Lakes Valley Conference Coach of the Year in 2009 while at Drury University.