SAINT PAUL, Minn. – The Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) unveiled its postseason award list, and the Yellowjacket men's soccer team were heavily recognized in a release Wednesday.
Securing the league's offensive and defensive player of the year awards were
Jake Kidd (Superior, Wis./Superior) and
Harry Ambler (Reading, England/Little Heath School), respectively, along with spots on the All-UMAC First Team. Joining Kidd and Ambler were
Felipe Oliveira (Belo Horizonte, Brazil/Colegio Soma),
Josh Bellamy (High Wycombe, England/FAB Football Academy),
Zach Tiemeyer (Waunakee, Wis./Waunakee Community),
Freddy Watson (Wendover, England/Berkshire College of Agriculture) and
Alex Paredes (Mequon, Wis./Homestead). Earning an honorable mention nod was
Aaron Shartin-Folkert (Hudson, Wis./Somerset).
Head coach
Joe Mooney was named the league's coach of the year, earning the honor for the sixth time in his time at the helm.
Carter Lansdale (Bloomington, Minn./Kennedy) was tabbed as UW-Superior's representative on the conference's all sportsmanship team.
Kidd has displayed a monster season in 2024 on his way to back-to-back seasons on the league's first team. Starting in 21-of-22 matches, he took 75 shots with 47 shots on goal for a .320 shooting percentage. Kidd leads the Yellowjackets and the UMAC with 24 goals scored while ranking second in all of NCAA Division III. Kidd's offensive output has spearheaded the nation in goal differential, points-per-game, scoring offense, total goals, and total points.
Ambler proved to be an instrumental member of the Yellowjacket backline, as he carded the first citation to the All-UMAC First Team after receiving second team honors for three seasons. Ambler started 17 matches and appeared in 18, logging 1,224 minutes. Playing all 90 minutes in seven matches, his efforts aided the defense to allowing 0.64 goals per match and only 6.7 shots per match.
Oliveira carded 1,151 minutes on the pitch in his senior season, grabbing his second-straight first team citation. Starting 20-of-21 matches played, he stands with five goals and 12 assists for a total of 22 points. His mark of 12 assists leads the Yellowjackets and ranks atop the UMAC, while nearing the top ten in the nation.
Bellamy adds another All-UMAC First Team distinction to his resume, marking his fourth in four years of competition. He currently sits with 10 goals and 11 assists for 31 points, coupled with 62 total shots taken with 31 on frame. Bellamy's 1,311 minutes on the pitch sits as the team's second highest mark, while also leading the pack with five penalty kick opportunities and four conversions.
Tiemeyer garners his first postseason award as a senior. Manning the backline, he has found the back of the net on four occasions versus conference opponents while seeing 1,135 minutes of competition. Starting 18-of-21 matches played, Tiemeyer's efforts have been instrumental for the Yellowjacket defense that has allowed just 14 goals and 147 shots to the opposition.
Paredes logs his first All-UMAC First Team citation to his list of postseason awards. The Yellowjackets' all-time shutouts leader added another six to his career total of 23, as he boasted a 13-3-2 record in his senior campaign. Starting all 18 matches in net, he allowed just 12 goals (the fewest in his career) and saved 52 opposing shots, boasting a 0.74 goals-against-average.
Shartin-Folkert receives an honorable mention nod in his senior season. Seeing 1,080 minutes up front, he has logged four goals and six assists for 14 total points. Shartin-Folkert has 19 shots on goal with 28 total shots taken on the year, logging a .679 shots-on-goal percentage.
The Yellowjackets have punched their ticket to the NCAA Division III Postseason Tournament. Saturday they will take on North Park in the first round, which is set for a 1:30 p.m. kickoff at Rolf Mellby Field in Northfield, Minn.
