POUGHKEEPSIE, NY (November 8, 2016) — Freshman forward Mattie Mrlik was tabbed the 2016 Liberty League Rookie of the Year, while Vassar College men's soccer coach Andy Jennings and staff were named the Coaching Staff of the Year, as the conference released its All-League honors on Tuesday.

Mrlik and midfielder Hayden Van Brewer were named to the First Team, while midfielder Alex Gonzales and defender Tyler Gilmore were named to the Second Team.

Forward Jose Novas, midfielder Reid Smith and defender Tanner Sands also earned Honorable Mentions, as they received votes from two or more coaches.

In his 26th season at the helm, Jennings and his staff of Ross Macklin and Chuck Wilder have assembled one of the greatest teams in school history. This year, Jennings led Vassar to the postseason for the fifth time in the past six seasons, leading them to a Liberty League title for the first time since 2011. Furthermore, the Brewers earned a spot in the NCAA Tournament for the fourth time in school history, as they will play the Blue Jays of Elizabethtown College in the first round at Rutgers-Newark on Saturday, Nov. 12.

With a 14-3-2 record, No. 20 Vassar has tied a program record for wins in a season. The Brewers notched 14 wins in 1994, the year they won the ECAC NY-NJ Metro region championship. More, the Brewers' five wins in conference play are tied for the most in school history, as they've finished with five just twice before (2012, 2014).

Vassar has shown to be one of the top attacking teams in the country, and is first in the league in shots-on-goal (133), goals (43), assists (38) and therefore points (124). Defensively, the Brewers have shut out eight teams so far this season, including the 12th-ranked team in Rochester. Jennings and his staff have seen their first-year forward Mrlik tabbed the Liberty League Rookie of the Week three times, which is the most nods of any league freshman.

Mrlik paces the pack with 29 points, placing him first among Liberty League leaders. His 11 scores place him first in the conference and his seven assists are good for third. More, his 66 shots are the most of anyone in the conference. After notching a first-half hat trick in Vassar's 3-1 win over Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in the Liberty League semifinals, Mrlik has eight multi-point games under his belt, and has registered at least a point in 12 of 19 games so far this season. In addition to being named the Liberty League Rookie of the Week three times this season, Mrlik has also been named the ECAC Rookie of the Week twice this season, a feat that had never been accomplished in program history. Mrlik has earned two Liberty League Honor Roll nods so far this season as well.

Van Brewer paces the Liberty League with 11 assists on the season, which makes him first in Vassar men's soccer history for helpers in a season. Many of those assists have come off corner kicks, as Van Brewer has been the primary set-piece specialist for the Brewers. The junior midfielder has started in all 19 of the Brewers' games and has recorded the most minutes of any midfielder on the team. Van Brewer was named Offensive Performer of the Week on Sept. 12, dishing out four assists to help Vassar to a 3-0 week.

Gonzales has been a solid force for the Brewers, as he's notched 18 points on seven goals and four assists on the season. Three of his scores have been game-winners, including a tournament-winner. Gonzales netted the championship-winning penalty kick with three seconds remaining in regulation for Vassar to top Skidmore on Saturday, 3-2, in the league title game. He was then named Offensive Performer of the Week on Monday for his contributions.

Gilmore has been productive all over the field for the Brewers, playing an important role on both sides of the ball. The defender has helped Vassar shut out eight teams, but has also put up 13 points (five goals, three assists) so far this season. Three of his scores have been game-winners, as he's helped the Brewers ice games over Mount Saint Mary College (Sept. 4), Clarkson University (Sept. 30) and No. 12 Rochester (Oct. 22).

Gilmore has been tabbed the Liberty League Defensive Performer of the Week twice this season, most recently earning the honor on Monday after notching Vassar's first goal in the Liberty League Tournament. Gilmore has started all 19 games for the Brewers and has tallied the second-most minutes of anyone on the team.

Novas has been a motor for the Brewers, never giving up on a play. His efforts have yielded 13 points on five goals and three assists this season.

Smith has notched four points on a game-winning goal against Elms College on Sept. 11 and two assists. Smith has started in all 19 games for the Brewers and has played the second-most minutes of any midfielder on the team.

Sands has totaled 15 points on six scores and three assists. Two of his goals have been the difference-maker in wins over Western Connecticut (Sept. 1) and Union College (Oct. 26). Sands has started all 19 games for the Brewers and has played the third-most minutes of any defender on the team.

Devon Baughen of RPI was named Liberty League Player of the Year, while Adebare Oyeniyi of Skidmore was dubbed Defensive Player of the Year.