November 12, 2009

Rio's Bibby earns MSC Player of the Year honor

Louisville, Ky. --- The University of Rio Grande RedStorm men's soccer team certainly made an impact in its first season in the Mid-South Conference. No player had more of an impact than freshman Scott Bibby. The Rio newcomer heads the 13-man all Mid-South Conference team announced late Wednesday by the conference.

Bibby scored a conference-best 53 points this season and by so doing was named the MSC Men's Soccer Player of the Year. The Doncaster, England, native's 23 goals led the conference and ranks fourth in the NAIA and his seven assists tied for sixth in the league.

Bibby was also selected as the MSC Men's Soccer Freshman of the Year.

The honors did not stop there for Rio as sophomore Jordan Lower (South Webster, OH) was selected as the all-conference goalkeeper.

Senior Marc Young (Rishton, England) and junior Phil Stansfield (Yorkshire, England) were selected all-conference defenders.

The all-conference midfielders included Rio Grande junior Ederson Lopes (Sao Paulo, Brazil). Lopes made the team despite being sidelined for over two weeks with an injury during the middle point of the season.  

Bibby was joined by teammate freshman Richard Isberner (Sao Paulo, Brazil) at the forward position on the all-conference team.

The all-conference team is selected by a vote from the MSC coaches. Coaches were not allowed to vote for their own players.

Rio Grande junior Nick Hewison (Accrington, England) was one of two players to be named the MSC Men's Soccer Champions of Character recipient. He earned the award from a vote of the conference athletics director -- for their civic and servant leadership within the campus and community.