Wednesday, November 14, 2001

FIU's Matias Asorey named ASC Player of the Year; Allen Handy, top newcomer

IU midfielder Matias Asorey (Miami, Fla./Sunset HS) was named today the Atlantic Soccer Conference (ASC) Player of the Year and freshman Allen Handy (Austin, Tex./Anderson) was picked its Rookie of the Year, in a vote done by the league’s head coaches.

A junior, Asorey has tallied 13 points on five goals and three assists this season in helping the Golden Panthers to a 10-6-0 overall record. Handy has collected a goal and two assists for four points from his defensive position.

“This is an outstanding honor for the two of them,” said FIU head coach Karl Kremser. “Matias has played out of position for us all year yet he has really done a good job and adjusted well. Allen has been a very pleasant surprise. We knew he was going to be a player, but we didn’t know he was going to be that good, that quickly. He’s going to be a big-time player for us.”

Three other Golden Panthers were honored with selection to the all-conference team. Sophomore forward Ezequiel Romero (Hallandale, Fla./Hallandale HS) and midfielder Hendrix Emanuel (London, England/St. Stephens, Fla.) were included on the All-ASC first team. Junior defenseman Juan Rivera (Miami, Fla./American HS) received second-team recognition.

Romero, who ranks second on the team with four goals and two assists for 10 points, is coming off a two-goal match just last weekend against UCF. Emanuel and Rivera have been defensive stalwarts for an FIU defense that has allowed just six goals over the last 11 matches.

FIU puts a four-game winning streak on the line this Saturday in the regular-season finale against No. 20-ranked South Carolina (11-4-2). Kickoff is slated for 7:30 p.m. at the University Park soccer field.