SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - Forward Nacho Diaz was named the Missouri Valley Conference's Men's Soccer Freshman of the Year and four other Aces received recognition at the Conference's postseason award banquet on Wednesday evening in Springfield, Mo.

Diaz becomes the third-straight Ace and fourth in five years to earn the MVC's award for the best freshman in the league, joining teammate Jose Vivas, who earned the honor in 2021. Coming to Evansville from Almeria, Spain, Diaz has made an immediate impact on the team and the conference. The MVC's league leader with nine goals and 21 points, Diaz tallied two goals in a game three times this season and has recorded a pair of game-winning goals. Along with his recognition as freshman of the year, Diaz was also selected as first-team all-MVC and named to the MVC's all-freshman team.

Proving to be a force between the posts, graduate goalkeeper Alex Vidizzoni captured second-team all-MVC recognition. The Codroipo, Italy native has recorded seven shutouts this season, putting him inside the top 10 in both single-season and career shutouts despite playing just 16 matches in the white and purple. Vidizzoni has been in goal for each of Evansville's seven wins thsi season and has a goals-against average of 0.94.

A key to the Aces attack, sophomore Jose Vivas was named second-team all-MVC. Recording four goals and three assists on the season, Vivas scored a pair of game-winning goals, including a 74th-minute beauty on Sunday that sent Evansville to the MVC Championship semifinals. In two years at Evansville, Vivas has amassed six assists.

Joining his fellow countryman on the MVC's second-team is senior Carlos Barcia. A crucial force for the Aces in the midfield, Barcia tallied three goals and tied for the team-lead with four assists. Against Lindenwood on Oct. 1, Barcia's 50th-minute goal proved to be the game-winner.

The final Ace to receive postseason recognition was junior forward Kai Phillip. A native of Trinidad & Tobago, Phillip sits second on the team in goals this season. Phillip's five scores on the year have come almost exclusively against MVC competition, including a brace for Phillip at Missouri State on Sept. 24. Twice Phillip's goals have been game-winners, coming against SIUE and Drake. The junior assisted on another Evansville goal, the season-opening goal for the Aces in a 2-2 tie with Bellarmine.

Evansville continues its journey in the MVC Championship on Thursday afternoon at 3 PM with a semifinal matchup with No. 5 seed Belmont in Springfield, Mo.
 

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