Five Named to All-C-USA Team; Mykhailenko Wins Co-Golden Boot Award

BOCA RATON, Fla. – The Florida Atlantic University men's soccer team (6-4-2, 3-4 in Conference USA) not only finished the season with a winning record, but five student-athletes have been honored with All-Conference honors. Ivan Mykhailenko was selected to the First Team, Alonso Coello Camarero and Graeme Pratt earned spots on the Second Team, Daniel Skistad was tabbed to the Third Team and Vasilis Spinos was recognized to the All-Freshman Team, as announced by the league Tuesday. Mykhailenko also won the Co-Golden Boot Award for tying for the most goals in conference play.

Five All-Conference Team recipients is the best representation for FAU since joining C-USA in 2013, as well as the most overall since 2007 when the Owls were members of the Atlantic Soccer Conference. Mykhailenko winning the Golden Boot title marks the first time in program history a student-athlete has taken home the award.

"This is great representation for FAU on the All-Conference teams!" said head coach Joey Worthen. "These awards and recognition is rightfully deserved as they have earned it with what they have accomplished this season. This says a lot about each of these players individually and most importantly, about the team and program as a whole."

Here is a breakdown of each of the five honorees:

Ivan Mykhailenko, All-Conference First Team, Co-Golden Boot Award Ivvy

Mykhailenko picked up from where he left off last season, leading the team in goals (six) and points (12) once again. The striker tallied a single-game career-high two goals in the Owls' 2-1 wins over both South Carolina and UAB. Following the four-point performances in both of those matches, Mykhailenko was named C-USA Offensive Player of the Week to be one of two players in the conference with more than one weekly awards. Mykhailenko finished the year with three game-winning goals, with his six career game-winners being the fourth most in program history. Among C-USA players, Mykhailenko ranked second in goals per game (0.6), as well as third in shots per game (3) and points (12). His five goals in C-USA play tied for the most in the league to win the Co-Golden Boot Award. The Kyiv, Ukraine native was also named to the C-USA All-Academic Team earlier this week.

"I'm very happy to get recognition from the league!" said Mykhailenko. "I want to thank my teammates and coaches for everything they did for me, because my individual award comes from a collective effort!"

Alonso Coello Camarero, All-Conference Second Team
Coello Camarero earned a spot on the All-Conference Team for the third consecutive year. A team captain, the leading midfielder has also been the most consistent player, logging 1,106 minutes, which is the third most on the team. The Madrid, Spain native registered two goals and one assist for five points this season. His first goal of the year was the game-winner in the 1-0 victory over North Florida, while his assist off a free kick with 14 seconds on the clock led to a draw with Florida Gulf Coast. Everything on the pitch the past three seasons goes through Coello Camarero, who is the glue to the team.

"It's amazing how this program keeps growing year after year, and this growth translates into more players getting recognition from the conference," said Coello Camarero. "The whole team is excited to get back to it next fall and to now reach a next level of competitiveness. Personally, I'm very happy of being selected in an All-Conference team once again, after what I think was a great season from me."

Graeme Pratt, All-Conference Second Team
Pratt is a team captain and has played all but nine minutes (1,111 minutes) on the pitch, which was the second most on the team. The Durban, South Africa native was the heartbeat of the backline, being instrumental in the Owls' four shutouts, which was the second most in C-USA. Pratt helped hold UAB to just two total shots and Jacksonville to three shots, as well as Florida Gulf Coast and North Florida to just two shots on goal. This season, Pratt and company held teams to 11 total goals for a 0.92 goals against average, which is the least amount allowed in program history.

"I'm extremely grateful to receive an award like this," said Pratt. "Our conference is highly competitive and there are a lot really talented players, so to receive some form of recognition makes me proud, but also motivates me to work even harder for next season. I think the fact that a few of the lads also received awards shows the progression of this program and the strength of this team."

Daniel Skistad, All-Conference Third Team
Skistad has also been hard to beat on the backline, starting in all 12 games to total 1,087 minutes, which was the fourth most on the team. The defender tallied an assist in FAU's 4-0 victory over Jacksonville. He was also instrumental in the Owls' four shutouts, which were earned against North Florida, Stetson, Jacksonville and Old Dominion. Skistad aided in holding UAB to two shots and Jacksonville to just three. The Drammen, Norway product played a big role in the team's offense by getting forward and setting up goal-scoring chances. Skistad earned a spot on the C-USA All-Academic Teamearlier this week.

"I want to thank the the league for selecting me, and I want to thank my teammates and coaches for helping me along the way," said Skistad. "In my first year here, we wouldn't even dream about having 5 people making the all-conference teams, and these awards just show how good this team is right now and the progression of the program!"

Vasilis Spinos, All-Freshman Team
As a mid-year enrollee, Spinos made an impact on the team immediately. The freshman was key to shutouts against Jacksonville and Old Dominion, while stopping the best attackers on the opposition. Spinos started in nine of 10 games he appeared in, while playing eight matches in full, including the last five. The Nea Kifisia, Greece native has played one of the most impressive freshman seasons in FAU history, as a key piece to the backline.

"I'm very happy for this award and it means a lot to me," said Spinos. "I want to thank the coaching staff for believing in me and my teammates for being a family. Step-by-step, this team is going to achieve a lot of things. Hard work pays off."

Full C-USA release

The Owls have closed out the 2021 spring campaign to mark, one of the most memorable seasons in program history. FAU will look to build on the momentum going into the fall season, set to commence in just a few short months.

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