SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – After combining for 17 goals this season, perhaps it comes as no surprise that the tandem of Ian McGrath and Jared Robinson each laid claim to a spot on the Missouri Valley Conference First Team, as announced by the league at the annual awards banquet on Thursday evening.
"Ian and Jared have both had a big impact on our season, and they both deserve this kind of recognition," UE head coach Marshall Ray said. "Their work ethic and ability to create chances has kept us in games this season. It's a credit to the hard work and effort that they put in."
McGrath and Robinson were two of five honorees on the night for the Purple Aces. McGrath, a junior out of New Lenox, Ill., ranks among the league leaders in goals this season with 10 to go along with a pair of assists. Meanwhile, Robinson, who's enjoyed unquestionably his best season at the front of the UE attack this season, has seven goals to go along with four assists.
UE would place one player on the second team, Zac Blaydes. The sophomore midfielder leads the conference with nine assists. He also has three goals on the year.
"I think Zac is one of the best midfielders in the conference, and his stats support that," Ray said. "He made the all-freshman team last year, and to come back and make an all-conference team is great for him. He's a big part of what we do, and I look forward to a bright future for him."
Ryan Koenig, a senior out of Tempe, Ariz., and Simon Waever, a freshman from Holte, Denmark, each earned an honorable mention. The duo has combined for four goals and seven assists this season.
"Simon's a great player, and he set up the goal for Ian in our semifinal yesterday," Ray said. "He's great at getting forward for us and a good one-on-one defender too. Both he and Ryan have had great seasons for us. I can't say enough about how Ryan has grown in his time with UE, and this is a good way for him to cap his senior year."
Waever also earned a spot on the conference's all-freshman team.
UE will return to action on Friday afternoon as the semifinal round of the MVC Championship will pit the Aces against SIUE. Kickoff is slated for 3 p.m.
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