2011-12 Soccer Team

For the past five seasons the Penn State York men’s soccer team has consistently been among the teams to beat in the Penn State University Athletic Conference (PSUAC).  This season was no different.  The only difference was the team was without the outstanding depth which it had been so accustomed to having.  Despite this challenge the team moved forward and enjoyed another fantastic season with a 7-1 conference record and the regular season championship.

Conference play proved to be challenging as the Lions earned hard fought victories on the road at Penn State Hazleton and Penn State Brandywine before yielding their only conference loss at rival Penn College.  Regular season success was rewarded with the number one seed in the PSUAC tournament and after taking a commanding 2-0 lead at home, York conceded three unanswered goals, two by the way of penalty kicks, and lost their first home match and thus their season came to an early and untimely end.

Despite the sudden ending, the season’s success was acknowledged by both the PSUAC and the United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA).  Aldin Avdic, York, Pennsylvania, was named the PSUAC’s player of the year after scoring 16 goals with 1 assist in Penn State York’s 13 matches.  Trey Chilcoat, New Freedom, Pennsylvania, scored 10 goals with 5 assists in his freshman campaign and Adam Beck, York, Pennsylvania, scored a pair of goals with a program record 11assists and were named first team All-Conference.  Dan Lynd, Hanover, Pennsylvania, earned second team honors after converting to goalkeeper early in the season and boasting a 0.62 goals against average.

After spending most of the season nationally ranked in the top 10 and topping out at number four, the USCAA named Avdic, Chilcoat, and Beck first team All-Americans and Dan Brinkley, Camp Hill, Pennsylvania, honorable mention All-American after scoring 5 goals with 2 assists splitting his season between midfield and defense.  Scott Barrera, York, Pennsylvania, and Mihir Jadhar, York, Pennsylvania, earned Academic All-American honors for their success on the field and in the classroom.

This season the coaching staff at Penn State York expanded to include former players Tim Weikert and Joe Dizio.  Much of the credit of Lynd’s success should be attributed to his goalkeeper training with Dizio.  Weikert was instrumental in York’s stat keeping, played a leadership role in training and earned his first career win as interim coach at Penn State Schuylkill.

In addition to player acknowledgement, Rich Chilcoat, head coach, was named PSUAC Coach of the Year for the third time in the past four seasons.  This honor is very special as he was selected by his peers within the conference and would not be possible without the support of Dizio and Weikert and the continued partnership with Coach Ben Otterson.  Since arriving at York, Otterson has played a key role as Chilcoat’s first assistant and has played a significant role in York’s unprecedented five-year run.

For more information about Penn State York Athletics visit the website at www.sports.yk.psu.edu or contact Chris Beaverson, interim athletic director,at 717-505-8949 or E-mail cab187@psu.edu.