Two Drovers earn NAIA All-American honors

CHICKASHA – The University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma had two men's soccer players named to the NAIA All-America teams, the NAIA office released this week.

Drovers Kalokwera Okot (SR/London, England) and Stephen Owusu (JR/Accra, Ghana) were named All-America First and Second Team respectively after helping lead the Drovers to their sixth straight NAIA Men's Soccer National Championship tournament.

"I'm very proud of these athletes and what they mean to the Drover soccer program and to USAO as quality student-athletes," USAO Head Coach Jimmy Hampton said.

Each team — first, second and third — consists of 11 members across the country.

Kalokwera Okot

Okot, a senior from London, was a key aspect of the Drover defense this season, helping the team achieve 15 shutouts in 22 games, all of which he started in. In all, the back line gave up just 12 goals this season.

??"Kal is a very old school player; he puts his head down, goes to work and comes prepared every day," Hampton said. "He's always the best player on the park as he carries such a high work rate and great attitude every day.

"I'm glad to see a player like him, one who is not caught up in individual accolades but is strictly a team-first guy, get this recognition."

In addition to his assistance in the back, 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.??

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

??Earlier this year, Okot was named Sooner Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year. 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

Owusu fills a role similar to Okot's, except on the other end the field. As a strong offensive power, Owusu was named the SAC Offensive Player of the Year this season in addition to his national Second Team honors.

"Owusu had another good year," Hampton said of the junior forward. "Teams plan for him every time, so being successful becomes a more difficult thing to do."

While Owusu is third on the team in goals with eight and second in assists with 10, his speed and ball control often forced defenses to double up coverage on him, which helped create other opportunities for the Drovers.

Additionally, he leads the Drovers in game winners, grabbing five this season. Owusu is 12th in the NAIA — and tops the SAC — in game winners.??

Owusu has a total of 27 goals, 15 assists and 10 game winners for the Drovers in his three-year career with the program.?

"We think he has another layer and a higher ceiling that he will bring next year," Hampton said.

?He earned All-Conference Second Team honors his first two seasons at USAO.

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