Forest, Va. -- Following the program's 20th Old Dominion Athletic Conference title, the University of Lynchburg men's soccer team claimed three major All-ODAC yearly awards and had eight student-athletes named to all-conference teams, announced by the league office on Thursday.

For the second consecutive year, Benjamin Velasquez was named the ODAC Defensive Player of the Year. The senior center back lead the Lynchburg defensive unit that ranked inside the top-10 across the country in division III in goals against average and shutout percentage. The Hornets allowed an average of just half a goal per game this season, which is the ninth-best mark across the nation. Additionally, Lynchburg ranked eighth in DIII in shutout percentage, earning a clean sheet in .600 percent of games (12 total). 

Matthew Viscuso was awarded the ODAC Rookie of the Year for his contributions on both the offensive and defensive end. In his first collegiate campaign, Viscuso netted two goals and dished out two assists. Aside from the direct stats, he helped Lynchburg produce a high-powered offense that is one of the best in program history and throughout the country this season. The Hornets average 3.0 goals per game, the ninth-best mark in DIII, and fire off 9.1 shots on target per contest which ranks 12th in the nation. Lynchburg's +50 goal differential is the third-highest in all of DIII and the team's 60 total goals is the sixth most.

Reid Rouse was selected as the ODAC/Va. Farm Bureau Insurance Scholar-Athlete of the Year for his contributions both on and off the pitch. Along with being a key piece of Lynchburg's incredibly stout defensive unit, Rouse touts a 4.0 and is completing his degree in business administration and financial economics. For the past three years, he has been a member of the Student Managed Investment Fund at Lynchburg and has taken responsibility as President of the organization this year. Rouse has secured a full-time position as an investment analyst for Spider Management Company following his graduation this coming spring.

With eight total members on All-ODAC teams, Lynchburg had the most selections of any school across the conference. Velasquez, Keaton Napior, William Casey, and Thomas Viscuso each earned a spot on the All-ODAC First Team. Evan Pask, Chris Wiley, and Matthew Viscuso were honored on the All-ODAC Second Team, and Isaac Torres was named to the All-ODAC Third Team.

2025 MEN'S SOCCER ALL-ODAC AWARDS
ODAC Offensive Player of the Year: Trey Widrick, Jr., F, Bridgewater
ODAC Defensive Player of the Year: Benjamin Velasquez, Sr., D, Lynchburg
ODAC Coach of the Year: Ryan Bennison, Bridgewater
ODAC Rookie of the Year: Matthew Viscuso, Fy., M, Lynchburg
ODAC/Va. Farm Bureau Insurance Scholar-Athlete: Reid Rouse, Sr., D, Lynchburg

ALL-ODAC FIRST TEAM
Riley Queen ^ Jr. F Bridgewater
Trey Widrick Jr. F Bridgewater
Walker Stebbings + Sr. F Hampden-Sydney
Zach Bittler + Sr. F Virginia Wesleyan
Buster Couhig Sr. F Washington and Lee
Keaton Napior Sr. M Lynchburg
Willy Hall + Sr. M Washington and Lee
Matthew Jenkins + Jr. M Washington and Lee
William Casey ^ So. D Lynchburg
Benjamin Velasquez * Sr. D Lynchburg
Aaron Deans * Sr. D Virginia Wesleyan
Spencer Furman + Jr. D Washington and Lee
Thomas Viscuso * Sr. GK Lynchburg

ALL-ODAC SECOND TEAM
Evan Pask Jr. F Lynchburg
Chris Wiley Jr. F Lynchburg
Jarbin Rodriguez So. F Shenandoah
Anthony Eugenio Jr. M Bridgewater
Zakky Johnston So. M Hampden-Sydney
Victor Ovalle-Mares Sr. M Hampden-Sydney
Matthew Viscuso Fy. M Lynchburg
Ryan Pidgeon ^ Sr. M Roanoke
Mason Wakefield So. M Virginia Wesleyan
Mauricio Jimenez Jr. D Hampden-Sydney
Tyler Petz Jr. D Hampden-Sydney
Josh Nevins ^ Jr. D Virginia Wesleyan
Will Joseph + Sr. GK Washington and Lee

ALL-ODAC THIRD TEAM
Hamidullah Tokhi Fy. F EMU
Charlie Letson ^ Sr. F Hampden-Sydney
Marcus Cortes Fy. F Randolph
James Blalock Fy. F Shenandoah
Mason Dudley Sr. M Hampden-Sydney
Grayson Woods Sr. M Randolph-Macon
Gio Zizza + So. M Virginia Wesleyan
Ricardo Sanchez So. M Washington and Lee
Leyden Mongold Fy. D Bridgewater
Isaac Torres So. D Lynchburg
Damien Jackson Jr. D Randolph-Macon
Hatim Elkhasouani Jr. D Shenandoah
Stig Larson Fy. GK Hampden-Sydney

* 2024 All-ODAC First Team (3)
^ 2024 All-ODAC Second Team (5)
+ 2024 All-ODAC Third Team (7)

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