Four players from the Mount Ida College men's soccer team were honored as all-conference players for the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) this 2008 season.  Sophomore Hayato Kanesaka (Old Tappen, NJ/Northern Valley) was recognized as a first team all-conference selection.  This was his second season with an all-conference honor, last year he was a second team selection.  Kanesaka was a big part of the defensive scheme this year making the switch to sweeper from midfield.  He controlled the backfield the entire year, giving his team the opportunities they needed to win more games through the season.

GNAC all-conference second team honors went to senior goaltender Brian Leighton (Turner, ME/Leavitt Area), his first overall selection in his career as a Mustang.  Although he split time in net, Leighton had a huge year including Mount Ida's first ever tournament victory in a 1-0 double overtime shutout in quarterfinal action against Suffolk University where he tallied 12 big saves.

Senior forward Matt Gill (Winfield, KS/Winfield/Garden City C.C.) and freshman midfielder Danny Shallop (Sierra Leone, West Africa/Albert Academy) were selected to third team GNAC all-conference.  This was the first selection for either player during their tenure as Mustangs.  Gill, who only played two seasons at Mount Ida, was an integral part to the nucleus of the offensive.  Gill is a tall, athletic player, who challenged all his opponents in the air for a head balls whether at midfield or in the box.  Shallop is a very skilled player with incredible field vision along with impeccable passing ability.  He was a spark the Mustangs needed to get things rolling on offense. 

Kanesaka and Shallop were also recognized to the GNAC all-tournament team for their outstanding performances during post season play against Suffolk University in the quarterfinals and Norwich University in the semifinals.  This was also the first selection for either player to this accomplishment. 

Freshman midfielder Michael Almeida (Dartmouth, MA/Dartmouth/Bishop Stang) was honored with maybe the most important award that is given out, the sportsmanship award. 

Congratulations to all of the 2008 men's soccer all-conference selections!