Grattarola Highlights Awards Haul for Men’s Soccer

A record five Canisius student-athletes garnered All-Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference honors and junior Alex Grattarola was named Defensive Player of the Year as the league announced the 2017 Men's Soccer All-MAAC Teams and major award winners on Tuesday.

Grattarola was one of four Golden Griffins to garner All-MAAC First-Team accolades. Junior Melvin Blair (midfield), sophomore Troy Brady (forward) and freshman Filippo Tamburini (forward) joined Grattarola on the first team while junior Bjarki Benediktsson (Back) was an All-MAAC Second-Team pick. Tamburini was also named to the league's all-rookie squad.

A native of Le Lavandou, France, Grattarola becomes the third Canisius player to earn the league's top defensive honor, joining Thomas Teupen (2016) and Fabien Lewis (2003) on the exclusive list.

Grattarola started all 17 regular-season games played for the Griffs, playing a key role in helping in the Canisius backline record six shutouts. He also was a significant contributor to the team's offensive output, recording 14 points on six goals and two assists to place third on the team's scoring chart.

Blair earns his second consecutive All-MAAC First Team selection, joining Tony Burke (1995-96) as only the second player in program history to earn first-team distinction in back-to-back seasons.

The Frome, Jamaica product appeared in 16 games for Canisius during the regular season, compiling 14 points on four goals and six assists. He ranked third in the league in total shots (52) and shots per game (3.06) and recorded the game-winning goal in victories over league foes Fairfield (Sept. 30) and Monmouth (Oct. 18).

Brady garnered first-team honors for the first time in his career following a 2017 regular season that saw him start all 18 games for the Griffs and finish second on the team in points (20) and goals (9).

A native of Grand Island, N.Y., Brady finished tied for the league lead in game-winning goals, authoring the decisive markers in triumphs over Robert Morris (Aug. 31), VMI (Sept. 3) and Rutgers (Sept. 19). He ranked among the top 10 players in the MAAC during the regular season in goals (2nd), points (3rd) and shots (9th).

Tamburini enjoyed an outstanding inaugural campaign on Main Street on his way to earning All-MAAC First Team and All-Rookie Team accolades. The Rimini, Italy, product appeared in 17 regular-season contests for the Griffs, leading the MAAC in goals (10) while ranking second on the circuit in points (24). Tamburini was tied for the league lead in game-winning goals, accounting for the decisive markers in triumphs over Niagara (Oct. 4), Saint Peter's (Oct. 14) and Marist (Oct. 25).

Benediktsson garnered All-MAAC Second Team honors for the first time in his career after starting all 18 games for the Griffs during the regular season. The Hafnarjordur, Iceland, native paced Canisius and was tied for the league lead with nine assists. He matched the program record for assists in a game with three during a 4-3 victory at Saint Peter's on Oct. 14. The defender was also part of a Griffs defense that recorded six shutouts during the regular season.

The MAAC also revealed its All-Academic Team, honoring student-athletes who have completed at least two semesters at their current institution and hold a cumulative grade point average of 3.20 or higher on a 4.0 scale. Eight Canisius student-athletes – Bendiktsson and fellow junior Giovanni Coraggioso and seniors Mitch Cancilla, Mo Kretschmer, Lucian Preis, Eric Strauchen, Marco Trivellato and Evan Walsh – were all recognized.

No. 3 seed Canisius (12-3-4) faces No. 2 seed Rider in the semifinals of the 2017 Men's Soccer Championship Thursday at Ben Cohen Field in Lawrenceville, N.J.

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Players Mentioned

#5 Thomas Teupen: D; 6' 4"; Senior

#3 Bjarki Benediktsson: D; 6' 1"; Redshirt Junior

#10 Melvin Blair: M; 5' 10"; Junior

#12 Troy Brady: F; 5' 9"; Sophomore

#9 Mitch Cancilla: F; 5' 10"; Senior

#13 Giovanni Coraggioso: D; 5' 10"; Junior

#4 Alex Grattarola: D; 6' 6"; Junior

#8 Mo Kretschmer: M; 6' 1"; Senior

#2 Lucian Preis: M; 5' 10"; Senior

#19 Eric Strauchen: F; 6' 2"; Senior

Players Mentioned

#5 Thomas Teupen
: 6' 4"; Senior
: D

#3 Bjarki Benediktsson
: 6' 1"; Redshirt Junior
: D

#10 Melvin Blair
: 5' 10"; Junior
: M

#12 Troy Brady
: 5' 9"; Sophomore
: F

#9 Mitch Cancilla
: 5' 10"; Senior
: F

#13 Giovanni Coraggioso
: 5' 10"; Junior
: D

#4 Alex Grattarola
: 6' 6"; Junior
: D

#8 Mo Kretschmer
: 6' 1"; Senior
: M

#2 Lucian Preis
: 5' 10"; Senior
: M

#19 Eric Strauchen
: 6' 2"; Senior
: F