NSCAA MEN'S SOCCER ALL-NEW ENGLAND REGION TEAM
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Endicott men's soccer student-athletes Abdulla Al Khalifa (Riffa, Bahrain), Shintaroh Itoh (Nerima, Tokyo, Japan), Carter Ocko (Danvers, Mass.), and Nick Weinstein (Trumbull, Conn.) have all been named to the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Division III All-New England Region team. Ocko received first team accolades from the NSCAA to headline the group, while Al Khalifa, Itoh, and Weinstein were all selected to the second team.
Ocko and Weinstein anchored a Gulls' defense this season that finished first in the Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) in goals against average (0.62), and shutouts (13). The duo also aided Endicott in ranking No. 18 among all NCAA Division III soccer programs in team goals against average (GAA), and No. 20 in shutout percentage (0.57).
From September 12 to October 5, the Gulls posted a string of eight straight shutouts – due in large part to Ocko and Weinstein's play – and did not allow a goal for 822:19 consecutive minutes. The 822:19 shutout span dates back to the final 15:43 of the Gulls contest against Tufts University, who was ranked No. 1 in Division III at the time, and up until the 86:37 mark of their matchup against Curry on October 10.
Individually, Weinstein registered a 16-3-3 record in net to go along with 13 shutouts, a 0.61 GAA, and 89 saves (.864 save percentage). Weinstein currently ranks No. 19 in the country among all goalkeepers in GAA and save percentage.
On the offensive end of the pitch, Al Khalifa and Itoh fueled Endicott's throughout the entire season as the pairing combined for 48 points on 17 goals and 14 assists. Al Khalifa finished with a team-high 12 goals to go along with four assists, while Itoh put home five goals and dished out a team-best 10 assists.
Endicott ranked tied for second in the CCC with Wentworth in goals scored (43) and assists (34).
The Gulls (16-3-4) finished as the runners-up in both the CCC Championship and the Eastern College Athletic Association (ECAC) Division III New England Championship to round out the best season in program history. In 2015, Endicott established program records in wins (16), points (120), points per game (5.22), goals (43), goals per game (1.87), game-winning goals (16), assists (34), assists per game (1.48), shots on goal (156), save percentage (.870), GAA (0.62), and shutouts (13). For the latest on Endicott Athletics, follow the Gulls on social media on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.