After leading Elon University Men’s soccer to one of its most historic seasons, head coach Marc Reeves was unanimously awarded the Colonial Athletic Association head coach of the year on Nov. 2. Reeves becomes the first coach of the year for the Phoenix since Darren Powell won the honor in 2013.
The Phoenix recorded a final record of 10-3-3 and won the CAA outright regular season title for the first time in program history. The 10 wins also marks the first time the Phoenix have recorded a double digit win season since 2017.
Reeves wasn’t the only Phoenix presented with a prestigious award, as senior defender Vemund Hole Vik took home CAA’s defensive player of the year. Hole Vik was a member of a Phoenix backline that recorded a total of 10 shutouts, tying the most they have ever recorded in a single season. The backline also allowed the fewest goals by any Phoenix team with just nine in the 16 game season.
Hole Vik becomes just the second ever Phoenix to be named defensive player of the year.
Additionally, seven Phoenix players received All-CAA honors. Hole Vik, as well as senior forward Mason Duval, graduated student defender Franc Gamiz Quer, and sophomore midfielder Scott Vatne received First Team All-CAA honors. Graduate student goalkeeper Ryan Bilichuk, and senior defender Kasper Lehm took home Second Team All-CAA honors. Finally, freshman midfielder Majaliwa Msabaha received Third Team All-CAA and All-Rookie Team honors.
The awards add to the sensational season for the Phoenix.