2024 ACAC Men's Soccer Rookies of The Year
Grande Prairie, AB (October 24, 2024) –
North Male Rookie of the Year | MATTHEW HERBUT | NAIT Ooks:
The Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) is pleased to announce Matthew Herbut of the NAIT Ooks has been selected as the 2024 ACAC Men’s Soccer North Rookie of the Year.
Matthew Herbert had an impressive debut season with the NAIT Ooks. Playing in ten conference games and starting in 8 of them, Herbert quickly established himself as a key player for the team.
During the season, Herbert showcased his offensive capabilities, recording four goals and one assist, bringing his season point total to 9 points. His 11 shots on goal reflected his consistent threat on the field, and his contributions were crucial, including netting a game-winning goal for the Ooks. Herbert's outstanding performance throughout his rookie campaign has helped propel the Ooks to the ACAC Championship.
"I believe it is a rare thing for a team to have ten first year players all having this level of impact on a team's success. This perhaps makes Matt's recognition from my peers that much more impressive for him. Matt is quite simply a joy to watch. He is a player who excels in all attacking actions whether that be scoring from 20-30 yards out, slipping players through that I didn't even realize were an option, or playing with an edge in midfield that often sees him overwhelm his direct opponent. Matt receiving this award is an acknowledgment of his experiences in the game, his value to the Ooks, and a testament to the influence that all of our first years have had on the program this year," said Head Coach Jeff Paulus.
Herbut, the first-year Business Administration student, has been a great addition to the Ooks roster.
This prestigious award will be recognized at the 2024 ACAC Men’s Soccer Championship hosted by Northwestern Polytechnic in Grande Prairie, Alberta.
The Rookie of the Year award is proudly sponsored by Alberta Soccer.
South Male Rookie of the Year | STEFAN VRSKA | Medicine Hat Rattlers:
The Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) is pleased to announce Stefan Vrska of the Medicine Hat Rattlers has been selected as the 2024 ACAC Male Soccer South Rookie of the Year.
Stefan Vrska played a crucial role for the Rattlers Men's Soccer team during the 2024 season. As a rookie goalkeeper, Stefan stepped up as a starter from day one. After nine games played, Vrska finished second in the south division for total saves, stopping 53 shots to end up in the back of the net.
Head Coach of Medicine Hat Rattlers Men’s Soccer, Damir Omerovic, says, “Stefan made an immediate impact in his first season, showcasing both talent and leadership. His contributions were pivotal to our success, demonstrating consistency and versatility on the field. Beyond his technical abilities as a goalkeeper, Stefan’s character and work ethic set him apart, earning the respect of teammates and coaches alike. In addition to his athletic performance, Stefan has excelled academically, balancing the demands of being a student-athlete with a strong commitment to his studies.”
Omerovic also expressed his excitement for Stefan’s upcoming years. “I look forward to seeing him continue to grow and help lead the Rattlers soccer program to new heights in the seasons to come.”
Vrska, from Regina, SK, is in his first year of University Transfer Science.
This prestigious award will be recognized at the 2024 ACAC Male Soccer Championship hosted by Northwestern Polytechnic in Grand Prairie, AB.
The Rookie of the Year award is proudly sponsored by Alberta Soccer.
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About the ACAC: The ACAC is the governing body for intercollegiate athletics in Alberta. Its mission is to provide competitive collegiate sport experiences, promote academic achievement and be a leader of sport development in Canada.
For more information on the ACAC, please visit our website: www.acac.ab.ca
For additional information, contact:
Mark Kosak, Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference
Chief Executive Officer
403-875-7329
markk@acac.ab.ca
Kayla Beers, Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference
Marketing & Communications Coordinator
kaylab@acac.ab.ca