Marshall University Athletics
Men’s Soccer Places Four on All-Conference Teams
11/6/2018 3:59:00 PM | Men's Soccer
Pita, Osmanu, Diaz-Salcedo and Fernandes all honored
All-Conference USA Teams
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The Marshall men's soccer team placed four players on the All-Conference USA Teams, the league announced Tuesday.
Redshirt junior goalkeeper Paulo Pita was named second team, while juniors Illal Osmanu, Carlos Diaz-Salcedo and freshman Vinicius Fernandes received third team honors. Fernandes was also named to the All-Freshman team.
"I couldn't be more proud of these lads," Herd head coach Chris Grassie said. "But there are a few more on our team who were overlooked this year, but these four guys know it's a team game and that they are receiving this recognition in part because of the work of their teammates."
Pita finished the regular season with 59 saves and a .747 save percentage. He allowed 20 goals and sports a 1.30 goals against average. Pita had three shutouts and added six victories during his first season with the Green & White. The Santos, Sao Paulo, Brazil, native had a career night against No. 3 Kentucky. Pita finished the match with 14 saves.
"Paulo is a beast," coach Grassie said. "He's probably the best shot stopper in all of college soccer. He consistently makes the big saves in games, and our guys know that if it gets behind us, he can come up with something special to keep the ball out."
Osmanu has been a major force for the Herd defense since he made the transfer from the University of Charleston in 2017. The Accra, Ghana, native missed just one match in 2018 and logged 1,533 minutes in the regular season. Along with his skills on defense, Osmanu contributed on offense as well with two header goals. He scored at Butler and again in the next match against Old Dominion.
"Illal is one of the most composed defenders I have worked with," coach Grassie said. "His ability on the ball under pressure is excellent. He's willing to put his body on the line to block shots and win for the team. Along with Chris Taibi, who has also been outstanding this season, they form a very formidable defensive unit. He's also a great role model for the younger guys on our team."
Carlos was honored for the second time on an all-conference team as he received second team recognition in 2017. He was also named to the All-Academic team on Monday. The junior defender has also been another key piece to the Marshall defense. Diaz-Salcedo has started and appeared in 16 matches and logged 1,479 minutes. The Barcelona, Spain, native scored his first goal of the season at Butler and assisted on the game-winner versus Ohio State.
"Carlos is a true warrior," coach Grassie said. "He's played the entire season needing major surgery, but has pushed through the pain barrier many times. He has been an inspiration with that courage. He's like a Matador, he has the tenacity when he's defending, but can be an artist on the ball as well."
Fernandes has made his presence known on the pitch since he first stepped out with 70 minutes played in the season-opener against Duquesne. The freshman midfielder has played in every match and started 16 others while logging 1,407 minutes. He has three goals and two assists going into the conference tournament. The Sao Paulo, Brazil, native scored his first career goal against FIU. His second came against Wright State and his third was against South Carolina.
"What a player Vini is," coach Grassie said. "This kid has a really bright future. To think that he's still only a freshman is amazing. His ability on the ball and his fight in matches are a joy to watch."
The five seed Marshall Thundering Herd plays in the first round of the Conference USA Championship Tournament on Wednesday at 2 p.m., against No. 4 seed FIU. The match will be broadcast on ESPN+.
For all of the latest information on the Marshall men's soccer team, follow the Herd on Twitter @HerdMSoccer, Facebook at Marshall University Soccer and on www.herdzone.com.
To follow all Thundering Herd sports and get live stats, schedules, and free live audio, download the Marshall Athletics App for iOS or Android!
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The Marshall men's soccer team placed four players on the All-Conference USA Teams, the league announced Tuesday.
Redshirt junior goalkeeper Paulo Pita was named second team, while juniors Illal Osmanu, Carlos Diaz-Salcedo and freshman Vinicius Fernandes received third team honors. Fernandes was also named to the All-Freshman team.
"I couldn't be more proud of these lads," Herd head coach Chris Grassie said. "But there are a few more on our team who were overlooked this year, but these four guys know it's a team game and that they are receiving this recognition in part because of the work of their teammates."
Pita finished the regular season with 59 saves and a .747 save percentage. He allowed 20 goals and sports a 1.30 goals against average. Pita had three shutouts and added six victories during his first season with the Green & White. The Santos, Sao Paulo, Brazil, native had a career night against No. 3 Kentucky. Pita finished the match with 14 saves.
"Paulo is a beast," coach Grassie said. "He's probably the best shot stopper in all of college soccer. He consistently makes the big saves in games, and our guys know that if it gets behind us, he can come up with something special to keep the ball out."
Osmanu has been a major force for the Herd defense since he made the transfer from the University of Charleston in 2017. The Accra, Ghana, native missed just one match in 2018 and logged 1,533 minutes in the regular season. Along with his skills on defense, Osmanu contributed on offense as well with two header goals. He scored at Butler and again in the next match against Old Dominion.
"Illal is one of the most composed defenders I have worked with," coach Grassie said. "His ability on the ball under pressure is excellent. He's willing to put his body on the line to block shots and win for the team. Along with Chris Taibi, who has also been outstanding this season, they form a very formidable defensive unit. He's also a great role model for the younger guys on our team."
Carlos was honored for the second time on an all-conference team as he received second team recognition in 2017. He was also named to the All-Academic team on Monday. The junior defender has also been another key piece to the Marshall defense. Diaz-Salcedo has started and appeared in 16 matches and logged 1,479 minutes. The Barcelona, Spain, native scored his first goal of the season at Butler and assisted on the game-winner versus Ohio State.
"Carlos is a true warrior," coach Grassie said. "He's played the entire season needing major surgery, but has pushed through the pain barrier many times. He has been an inspiration with that courage. He's like a Matador, he has the tenacity when he's defending, but can be an artist on the ball as well."
Fernandes has made his presence known on the pitch since he first stepped out with 70 minutes played in the season-opener against Duquesne. The freshman midfielder has played in every match and started 16 others while logging 1,407 minutes. He has three goals and two assists going into the conference tournament. The Sao Paulo, Brazil, native scored his first career goal against FIU. His second came against Wright State and his third was against South Carolina.
"What a player Vini is," coach Grassie said. "This kid has a really bright future. To think that he's still only a freshman is amazing. His ability on the ball and his fight in matches are a joy to watch."
The five seed Marshall Thundering Herd plays in the first round of the Conference USA Championship Tournament on Wednesday at 2 p.m., against No. 4 seed FIU. The match will be broadcast on ESPN+.
For all of the latest information on the Marshall men's soccer team, follow the Herd on Twitter @HerdMSoccer, Facebook at Marshall University Soccer and on www.herdzone.com.
To follow all Thundering Herd sports and get live stats, schedules, and free live audio, download the Marshall Athletics App for iOS or Android!
---HerdZone.com---
Players Mentioned
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