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men's soccer all-stars

Zupo named first-team OUA all-star; Maxwell, Tom, Bloemen, Hong receive second-team honours

| By: Courtesy: OUA
HAMILTON, Ont. - What a dream season it was for the Ryerson Rams. The Rams broke through in 2013 playing to a 12-0-2 record, the top spot in the East division and the number two ranking in the country. The Rams were the OUA's only undefeated team and swept the major awards category, winning the MVP, rookie of the year and coach of the year honours.

Rams fifth-year midfielder Alex Braletic (Thornhill, Ont.) takes home the East division's most valuable player award in 2013, marking the second time in his career. Braletic, an engineering major, scored a league leading 13 goals in 12 games for the Rams, en route to an East division title and a Final Four appearance. The 13 goals is a career high for Braletic, smashing his previous high of three, set in the 2009 and 2010 seasons. Braletic's last MVP win came in 2009.

Ryerson's Cameron Galea-Andrews (Oakville, Ont.) won the rookie of the year award for his stellar play at midfield this season. The first-year Business Management major appeared in 13 games in his rookie year and quickly earned the trust of the coaching staff, starting 10 of them. Galea-Andrews scored one goal this season, but it was a big one, as his injury time marker earned the Rams a 2-2 tie with the then, No. 4 Carleton Ravens. Galea-Andrews is the third straight Rams player to win the rookie of the year award and fourth in five seasons.

Ryerson head coach Ivan Joseph was named East coach of the year for guiding the Rams to their record setting 12-0-2 season. Joseph inherited a 5-8-1 team when he started coaching in 2009 and the Rams have steadily improved (and haven't missed the playoffs) under his guidance. Joseph has attracted key recruits and developed major award winners during his tenure. This is the second coach of the year award for Joseph, with his first coming in 2010.

Carleton striker Andrew Latty (Ottawa, Ont.) won the 2013 Community Service award for his outstanding and tireless work in the community. Latty has increased community involvement as the head of Carleton's Varsity Athletic Council. He founded the Ravens Care Program, which is an after school literacy program for local youth. Latty coordinated the Pink in the Rink breast cancer fundraiser with the Carleton women's hockey team, raised awareness of the dangers of drinking and driving and additionally sent the proceeds of a bracelet campaign to Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD). Since 2007, he has also organized and officiated an annual basketball tournament for Sawmill Creek Elementary School.

In addition to the major hardware, the Rams sent a division-high six players to the OUA East all-star team. Midfielder Viktor Anastasov (Toronto, Ont.), defender Michael Jan (Mississauga, Ont.), goalkeeper Christian Maraldo (Mississauga, Ont.)  and Braletic all made the first all-star team. Braletic is on the team for the third time in his career, but for the first time as a striker, while Anastasov made the team for the second time. Defender Josh Kohn (Richmond Hill, Ont.) and striker Armin Tankovic (Mississauga, Ont.) both received second-team all-star designations.

The Queen's Gaels sent five players to the all-star team in 2013, the second most in the East division. Fourth-year defender Joe Zupo (Toronto, Ont.) was the Gaels only first-team all-star after tying for the team lead with four goals. Zupo is a hallmark on the all-star team, earning his fourth designation in as many years. Goalkeeper Dylan Maxwell (Vancouver, B.C), defender David Tom (Thunder Bay, Ont.) and midfielders Henry Bloemen (Toronto, Ont.) and Tommy Hong (Oakville, Ont.) were all named to this years' second team. Tom was a first-team all-star in 2012 and a second-team all-star in 2011, while Bloemen and Maxwell earned second team selections for the second straight year.

In addition to winning the Community Service award, Andrew Latty headlines the four Carleton Ravens who were sent to the first all-star team in 2013. Latty, the 2012 MVP, made the first all-star team with eight goals in 14 games, helping lead the Ravens to a 8-3-3 season and a berth in the Final Four this weekend. The third-year forward makes the team for the second straight year and is joined by leading scorer Joey Kewin (London, Ont.), defender Julian Piccioli (Ottawa, Ont.) and midfielder Mintcho Mintchev (Ottawa, Ont.). Kewin is now a four-time all-star after scoring a career-high nine goals this season, while Mintchev and Picciolo received their first all-star nods.

The Toronto Varsity Blues finished the regular season on a 4-0-3 streak, upset the Laurentian Voyageurs in the quarter-finals and came within minutes of upsetting the top-seeded Ryerson Rams. For their efforts, the Blues sent four players to the 2013 all-star team. Ezequiel Lubocki(Winnipeg, MB), the 2010 rookie of the year, is a first-team all-star for the fourth straight season for his strong play in Toronto's midfield.

Leading scorer Mario Kovacevic (Woodbridge, Ont.) earned his third all-star selection after being named to the second team. Joining Kovacevic are midfielder Veljko Lukovic (Belgrade, Serbia) and defender Devon Bowyer (Toronto, Ont.), who are named to the team for the first time.

The fourth-place Laurentian Voyageurs sent two players to the all-star teams in 2013. Defender Cameron Brooks (Whitby, Ont.) led a stingy Voyageurs defence that averaged one goal against per game. He is a first-team all-star for the second time after spending the last two seasons on the second team. Midfielder Omar Allison (Brampton, Ont.) earns a second team designation for second straight year.

Rounding out the 2013 all-stars is fourth-year Trent defender Adam Majid (Ottawa, Ont.). Majid scored one goal for the Excalibur this season en route to a second team designation. Majid was previously named to the team in 2011. 

OUA EAST DIVISION MAJOR AWARD WINNERS & ALL-STARS

East MVP
Alex Braletic, Ryerson

East Rookie of the Year, presented by Big Kahuna
Cameron Galea-Andews – Ryerson

East Coach of the Year
Ivan Joseph – Ryerson

East Community Service Award
Andrew Latty, Carleton

East First Team All-Stars

Goalkeeper – Christian Maraldo, Ryerson
Defender – Michael Jan, Ryerson
Defender – Joe Zupo, Queen's
Defender – Cameron Brooks, Laurentian
Defender – Julian Piccioli, Carleton
Midfielder – Joey Kewin, Carleton
Midfielder – Mintcho Mintchev, Carleton
Midfielder – Viktor Anastasov, Ryerson
Midfielder – Ezequiel Lubocki, Toronto
Striker – Andrew Latty, Carleton
Striker – Alex Braletic, Ryerson

East Second Team All-Stars

Goalkeeper – Dylan Maxwell, Queen's
Defender – Devon Bowyer, Toronto
Defender – Adam Majid, Trent
Defender – Josh Kohn, Ryerson
Defender – David Tom, Queen's
Midfielder – Veljko Lukovic, Toronto
Midfielder – Henry Bloemen, Queen's
Midfielder – Tommy Hong, Queen's
Midfielder – Omar Allison, Laurentian
Striker – Mario Kovacevic, Toronto
Striker – Armin Tankovic, Ryerson
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