ANGOLA, IND. -- The Trine University men's soccer team had two players named to the 2018 All-Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association Teams, including junior Nooh Aljabaly (Coldwater, Mich./Coldwater) who was also tabbed as the MIAA "Newcomer of the Year."
The Thunder are in the midst of their best season since the 2011 campaign with 13 victories (13-3-1). In 2011, Trine also posted 13 wins and ended the year with a 13-5-2 overall mark.
In addition to being named the "Newcomer of the Year," Aljabaly garnered first-team honors becoming the first Trine player to earn first-team recognition since 2012 (Andre Hilson '13). To date, Aljabaly leads the team, and the MIAA, in goals with 19 which rank in a tie for third most in Trine history in a single season. At the national level, his 19 goals are currently tied for seventh most in NCAA Division III. He also leads, and is tied for the conference lead, in overall points with 43 (19 goals and five assists). He has six multi-goal games this year, including a season-high three goals in a 5-0 shutout against Olivet where he finished with seven total points (three goals and one assist).
Aljabaly has taken a team-high 72 shots for a .264 shot percentage with 45 shots on goal. Three of his goals have come on penalty kicks (three-of-three overall) and he has tallied seven game-winning scores so far this season. His seven game-winners put him in a tie for third in the NCAA.
Joining Aljabaly on the All-MIAA teams was senior Damon Prifogle (Terre Haute, Ind./North Vigo) as a second-team selection. He has been a mainstay in the Thunder starting lineup as a defender and has been part of a group that has been giving up just over a goal per game to its opponents. Trine's 1.06 goals against average is the third lowest in the MIAA and the team has posted eight shutout victories which rank as the second most in the conference.
Prifogle has taken six shots from his defensive position, including three shots on goal, but has not recorded any offensive points.
Trine is also making its first appearance in the MIAA Tournament since 2011 and defeated Alma (Mich.) College as the third seed in the first round to advance to the semifinals to take on second-seeded Adrian (Mich.) College tonight (Oct. 30). The game between the Thunder and Bulldogs is set to begin at 7 p.m. in Adrian, Mich.
