The Minnesota College Athletic Conference (MCAC) released the 2023 men's soccer all-conference selections yesterday, October 24, and four Riverland players have been included in the team. This marks the fourth straight season the Blue Devils have had at least four players selected for all-conference honors. The four student athletes selected were goalkeeper Camden Williams, defenders Diego Prada and Alex Ulrich, and midfielder Ntsako Baloyi.
Camden Williams (FR, Rochester, MN) established himself as Riverland's starting goalkeeper early in the season, despite good competition at the position. Williams has responded to the opportunity and had a conference-low 1.34 goals against average for the season, making 73 saves with a save percentage of .793 in 15 appearances for the Blue Devils. "Goalkeeping is such an important element of the game, and Camden has come in and done a great job for us, following the path of several other very good keepers here at Riverland the past few seasons," said Riverland head coach Frank Spaeth. Williams is the third Riverland goalkeeper to earn all-conference honors in the past four seasons.
Diego Prada (FR, Bogata, Colombia) anchored a strong defensive back line that kept opponents in check throughout the season. He has started in 17 of 18 games so far this season, only missing the regular-season finale due to yellow card accumulation. In addition to his stout defense, Prada also contributed two goals and an assist and is one of several dangerous set-piece targets for the Blue Devils this season. Said coach Spaeth about Prada, "He's been excellent in our central defense. He and Luis Lofego have formed a solid partnership, while also helping us in the attack when they are able. Many coaches throughout the season mentioned Diego after games, talking about how tough and smart he is on the back line, and he certainly controls the defensive third for us!"
Alex Ulrich (Owatonna, MN) can play anywhere on the field and has appeared for the Blue Devils at outside back, wingback, center back and central defensive midfielder at various times throughout the season. In addition to his efforts on the defensive end of the field, Ulrich also showed off his offensive fire power, scoring five goals and adding four assists, despite missing a handful of games due to an injury. "Alex is such a versatile player and can literally play anywhere on the field where we may need him. His skills and soccer IQ have really aided the team in so many ways this season," said coach Spaeth of Ulrich.
Ntsako Baloyi (Pretoria, South Africa) has played roles throughout the central midfield for the Blue Devils this season. Another player with a high soccer IQ, Baloyi is tied for the team lead in assists with six and has come up with some big goals here at the end of the season, including the game-winner in the NJCAA Region XIII final against Anoka-Ramsey Community College. "Ntsako is a really vital piece of our central midfield," said coach Spaeth. "He can play any of the central positions, depending on the formation and personnel we have in a game at any given time. He is a good ball-winner defensively and can find great penetrating passes to teammates that set them up for opportunities to score."
Riverland's men's soccer team finished runners-up in the MCAC for the fourth straight season but captured their first-ever NJCAA Region XIII title last weekend with a 2-1 overtime win over Anoka-Ramsey Community College in the regional final. The Blue Devils welcome Harper College to Austin this Saturday, October 28, for the NJCAA Midwest District final, with a trip to the NJCAA Division III National Tournament awaiting the winner of that game.