Nolly Named USSF D-2 Goalkeeper of the Year
October 21, 2010 - U.S. Soccer Federation D-2 (USSF D-2)
Vancouver Whitecaps News Release
VANCOUVER, BC - The United States Soccer Federation Division-2 Professional League announced today that Vancouver Whitecaps FC goalkeeper Jay Nolly has been named Goalkeeper of the Year and to the league's Best XI. The league also confirmed that defender Greg Janicki and midfielder Martin Nash were also named to the Best XI.
"Jay has been outstanding for us since he arrived in 2008," said Whitecaps FC head coach Teitur Thordarson. "The fact that he has started every game over the last two seasons for the club is a credit to his consistency and professionalism. Greg and Martin also enjoyed fantastic seasons and are very deserving of this recognition."
Nolly, 28, claimed the league's Goalkeeper of the Year award after a stellar third season with Whitecaps FC. The native of Littleton, Colorado, started all 30 regular season matches for the 'Caps and registered a record of 10W-5L-15D. This included an impressive 14 shutouts and a goals-against average of 0.74. In fact, Nolly started in every USSF D-2 Pro League and Nutrilite Canadian Championship match for Whitecaps FC in 2010, with the shot-stopper claiming the club's Most Valuable Player award for a second straight season. His 38 total appearances for Vancouver helped Nolly break the club's ironman record of 78 consecutive matches that was previously held by former 'Caps striker Joey Gjertsen. Nolly also moved into second place in the Whitecaps FC career shutout list with 41 clean sheets, while he became only the second goalkeeper after Paul Dolan to pass the 100-appearance mark for goalkeepers in Whitecaps FC history.
"It is a great honour to receive this award," said Nolly. "I think it shows how we were committed defensively this season. When goalkeepers and defenders get awards, it is because of a team effort, so I have to give credit to all our defenders for the efforts they put in this season. It's always nice to receive awards after a season of hard work and getting the chance to play in every game."
Nolly's efforts this season also earned him a place in the USSF D-2 Pro League Best XI, alongside Whitecaps FC captain Martin Nash and the league's Defensive Player of the Year in centre back Greg Janicki. Nash made the league's all-star line-up after starting all but one of his 28 regular season appearances for 2,394 minutes of action. His four goals and eight assists earned the Victoria, BC, native the Domenic Mobilio Golden Boot award as the club's top scorer. Janicki, meanwhile, was selected after helping Whitecaps FC surrender a league low 22 goals.
Other players to be selected to the USSF D-2 Best XI include Rochester Rhinos defenders Aaron Pitchkolin and Troy Roberts. Joining Nash in midfield are Jamie Watson (Austin Aztex), Daniel Paladini (Carolina RailHawks), Paulo Araujo Jr. (Miami FC), and Ryan Pore (Portland Timbers) who was also named the USSF D-2 Most Valuable Player. Montreal Impact forward Ali Gerba and Austin striker Eddie Johnson made up the Best XI's attack.
The USSF D-2 Pro League awards were selected by a panel of journalists, which comprised of members of print, television, radio, and online media that hailed from each of the 12 USSF D-2 Pro League clubs' local markets, as well as the general manager and head coach of each club (Note: the goalscoring champion is based on statistics and was not decided by votes).
Whitecaps FC fans can purchase 2011 MLS season tickets by putting down a $50 deposit. MLS season ticket prices start at $319, and will include a minimum of 17 matches throughout the season. For additional information about MLS season ticket deposits, visit whitecapsfc.com.
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U.S. Soccer Federation D-2 Stories from October 21, 2010
- Rhinos Earn All-League Honors - Rochester Rhinos
- Nolly Named USSF D-2 Goalkeeper of the Year - Vancouver Whitecaps
- USSF D2 Pro League Awards Announced - USSF D-2
- RailHawks' Daniel Paladini Named to League's Best 11 - North Carolina FC
- Ali Gerba Named to League All-Star Team - Montreal Impact
- Three Academy Players with Canada's U17 Team - Montreal Impact
- Timbers' Pore Crowned USSF D-2 Pro League MVP - Portland Timbers
- Paulo Jr Named to USSF D-2 Best XI - Fort Lauderdale Strikers
- Eddie Johnson, Jamie Watson, Max Griffin Honored by USSF D-2 Pro League - Austin Aztex
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