BLOOMINGTON, Minn. – The Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference announced its 2017 Men’s Soccer Awards on Thursday with Gustavus owning two honorees on the All-Conference team in Matt Murakami (Sr., Eden Prairie, Minn.) and Arthur Parens (Jr., Wayzata, Minn.), while three Gusties received honorable mention honors.
Murakami appeared in all but one game for the Gusties, starting in each game played while guiding the midfield. Murakami scored four goals and three assists for 11 points on the season, finishing as the third-leading scorer on the team. On Oct. 2, Murakami earned MIAC Player of the Week honors after tallying three goals in two games in road victories at St. Olaf and Augsburg. The Gustie co-captain also tallied 27 shots (17 shots on goal), and one game-winner.
Parens was the constant offensive threat for the Black and Gold all year, despite missing the final two games after suffering an unfortunate season-ending injury. Parens started in 17 games, leading the team and finishing tied for second in scoring in the MIAC with 12 goals and three assists for 27 points. On Oct. 3 at Presentation College, Parens notched his first career hat-trick performance, the first Gustie to do so since 2011. In the month of October, he recorded six goals and one assist for a total of 13 points to go along with 26 shots (15 on goal), and two game-winners en route to receiving Gustavus October Male Student-Athlete of the Month. His 27 points is most by a Gustie since All-American Zach Brown compiled 29 in 2014.
Additionally, Daniel Barnes (Jr., Lund, Sweden), Matt Bateman (Jr., Savage, Minn.), Matt Gibbons (Minneapolis, Minn.), and Davis Petros (Jr., Apple Valley, Minn.) were recognized as All-Conference Honorable Mentions. Alex Wilson (Sr., Ashland, Wis.) was named to the All-Sportsmanship Team.
Barnes missed just one game for the Gusties, starting in 18 as a consistent presence on the back line, recording two assists on the season. Bateman started all 19 games in net for the Gusties, finishing as one of the top goalkeepers in the MIAC. His 72 saves stood as the second most in the conference, while he posted and .800 save percentage (3rd/MIAC), a 0.97 goals against average (T-4th/MIAC), and six shutouts (T-3rd/MIAC). Gibbons was the second-leading scorer for the Gusties and led the team with seven assists. Appearing in all but one game, Gibbons was the leading scorer in the MIAC among first-years with 13 points (3g-7a) and is the sole rookie to receive the honorable mention accolade. Petros started in 17 games as a steady defender for the Gustie squad that limited its opponents to 0.95 goals per game.
Congratulations!!!! What a nice honor—-well deserved!