SAC names two Drovers MVP, six others All-Conference

CHICKASHA – After another strong year for the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma men's soccer team, the Drovers have begun to rack up postseason honors, including a Sooner Athletic Conference Offensive and Defensive MVP.

Kalokwera Okot (SR/London, England) was named Defensive Player of the Year while teammate Stephen Owusu (JR/Accra, Ghana) earned Co-Offensive Player of the Year honors.

In addition, the Drovers had four other players named All-Conference First Team and two Second Team honorees.

Head Coach Jimmy Hampton said each of the players recognized had a strong influence on the team's success this season, especially those acknowledged with personal honors.

"Kal has had a fantastic year this year and a fantastic four-year career. He has been an excellent captain and was a tremendous leader for our men's program," Hampton said. "He will get the chance to continue playing after college graduation as he has all of the characteristics to compete at the next level. We will miss him."

Hampton also singled out Owusu as a powerful offensive force that USAO opponents had to note before heading into the game.

"Owusu is the player everyone else has to mention in their scouting report," Hampton said. "His speed and quickness opens up the game for our entire team. He is very coachable and has all the tools to continue on after graduation to play at the next level."

Goalkeeper Bryan Byars (SR/Oklahoma City, Oklahoma), forward Jean Gnapi (SR/Paris, France), defender Freddy Gomes (SR/Saint-Owuue L'Aumone, France) and midfielder Liam Madden (JR/Dumbarton, Scotland) were named All-SAC First Team. Second Team honorees were Niall Burley (JR/Warrington, England) and Nat Scott (SR/Bournemouth, England).

Full All-Conference List

The Drovers are 15-3 heading into the SAC Semifinals. They are second-seed in the tournament and will host sixth-seeded John Brown at 2 p.m. Tuesday in the Semifinal game.

Kalokwera Okot

Okot, a senior defender from London, was a major player on the Drovers' defense this season, helping secure a back line that's given up just 11 goals all season.

Additionally, Okot has scored three goals, including the only goal in a conference road game at Texas Wesleyan and the equalizer in USAO's final game of the regular season.

"Kal had a great senior year," Hampton said. "We thought he was one of the best players on the park every game. He trains hard and plays hard day in and day out. There is never a question that you will get his best."

For his career, he has notched 11 goals, seven assists and three game winners.

He was an All-SAC First Team recipient last season and earned Second Team honors as a freshman.

Okot is a business senior and the son of Jimmy and Ruth Okot.

Stephen Owusu

Playing in every game this season, Owusu's speed and ball control had defenses on their toes all year.

While Owusu is second on the team in goals with eight and assists with nine, he does lead the Drovers in game winners, grabbing five this season. Owusu is 10th in the NAIA — and tops the SAC — in game winners.

"He has had a quality season," Hampton said. "To score as many goals as he did with everyone looking for a way to stop him with their best defender, or multiple defenders, is a testament to his ability."

Owusu has a total of 27 goals, 14 assists and 10 game winners for the Drovers in his three-year career with the program.

He earned All-Conference Second Team honors the two previous seasons. This is his first Offensive Player of the Year and First Team award.

Owusu is a business junior from Accra, Ghana. He is the son of Kwabena Owusu.

Bryan Byars

For the fourth year in a row, Byars earned All-Conference First Team honors after putting up strong numbers at keeper.

This season, he has recorded 12 shutouts off his 15 wins. He's allowed just 11 goals against for the season and has notched 35 saves.

He's seventh in the NAIA in goals against per game (0.610). Further, he leads the conference in goals against average for the season.

This season, Byars was named SAC Defensive Player of the Week twice.

For his career, he has a 61-14-4 record with 43 total shutouts, which is just one away from tying the NAIA All-Time record.

He is third in school history in career saves with 217 in four years and second in GAA (0.675).

In addition to All-SAC honors, he was named All-Southwest Region last year and an NAIA All-America Honorable Mention as a sophomore.

Byars also has responsibilities as the head boys soccer coach at Chickasha High School.

He is a business and physical education senior from Oklahoma City. He is the son of Pauline Byars.

Jean Gnapi

Gnapi, a senior forward, leads the Drovers in goals this season, so it's no wonder he earned All-SAC First Team honors.

With 12 goals on the year, Gnapi is second in the conference in total goals. He's also tied for second in game winners after recording four so far this season. In that same category, he is 24th in the NAIA. Additionally, he is among the Top 50 in total goals.

Gnapi has had two hat tricks this season, including one on Senior Day. For his career, he's notched 18 goals, nine assists and five game winners.

This is the first time he has been named All-Conference but earned SAC Offensive Player of the Week honors last week.

Gnapi is a business senior from Paris. He is the son of Ciprien and Clemence Gnapi.

Freddy Gomes

Gomes earned his first All-Conference honor this year after a strong season with the Drover defense in his second year at USAO.

Gomes helped the Drovers record 12 shutouts, which is tied for the most in a season for the program.

The Drovers gave up just 11 goals and just 46 shots on goal through 18 games. His lone goal was the second in a 3-0 win in the season's home opener. He's also had six assists on the year.

Gomes is a business senior from Saint-Owue L'Aumone, France. He is the son of Manuel and Ermelinda Gomes Monteiro.

Liam Madden

Madden has been a strong midfielder for the Drovers for three season now and earns his second All-Conference First Team honor this year.

This season, Madden has helped the Drovers with six goals and five assists. He leads the team in most shots with 67 and is tied with Owusu for most shots on goal with 22.

In his three-year career, he's recorded 17 goals and 16 assists for the Drovers.

Madden was named SAC Player of the Year and an NAIA All-America Honorable Mention in 2013.

He is a business junior from Dumbarton, Scotland, and the son of Vincent and Teresa Madden.

Niall Burley

Leading the conference as well as the Drovers in total assists, Burley, a junior midfielder, earned his second All-SAC Second Team honors this season.

With 11 assists, he's also 11th in the NAIA in total assists and 19th in assists per game.

Additionally, Burley has notched goals in games against Texas College and Southwestern Christian. He credited with the game winner against SCU.

Now a junior, Burley has eight goals and 26 assists at USAO.

He is a business junior from Warrington, England, and the son of Kenny and Bernadette Howell.

Nat Scott

Scott has served the Drovers faithfully on the team's back line for four seasons and is recognized with his first All-Conference honor this season.

Scott has been an important part of the defensive line helping the Drovers to 44 shutouts in four years. This season, USAO has allowed just 11 goals while they've given up a mere 55 in Scott's career.

Scott had his lone assist of the year in the Drovers' SAC Quarterfinals game against Oklahoma Baptist on Saturday.

He has four goals and three assists in his career.

He is an economics senior from Bournemouth, England, and the son of Simon and Deb Scott.