Five Drovers Earn All-SAC Selections

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. – On Friday, the Sooner Athletic Conference announced their postseason awards for men's soccer and five players from recognized with all-conference selections. Justin Croke earned a spot on the first-team All-SAC list, while Matija Malenvic, Angelo Leendertse, Callum Shepherd, and Stijn Iding were second-team selections.

Justin Croke added more hardware to his collection earning his second all-conference selection and he was also the 2022 SAC Newcomer of the Year. 

This season, Croke has produced nine goals, nine assists, and 27 points. Croke currently ranks seventh in the SAC in goals, fourth in assists, and fourth in points.

In 38 games as a Drover, he has recorded 19 goals and 22 assists for a total of 60 points.

Angelo Leendertse's second-team recognition is the fifth All-SAC selection of his career. This season, the midfielder recorded three goals and three assists for a total of nine points, and in his career he has tallied 25 goals, 17 assists, and 67 points in 92 games played.

Callum Shepherd was selected to his second all-conference selection as he landed on the second-team. The defender anchored the back line for USAO and produced one goal, two assists, and four points on offense. In his career, Shepherd has appeared in 47 games, tallying seven goals, six assists, and 20 points.

Matija Malenvic earned his first all-conference after delivering the best season of his career so far, producing eight goals, nine assists, and 25 points. Among the conference ranks, Malenovic ranks ninth in goals, fifth in assists, and sixth in points.

In his career, Malenovic has appeared in 54 games, tallying nine goals, 13 assists, and 31 points.

Stijn Iding earned an all-conference nod in his first season in the green and goal. Iding was one of the league's top defenders, but he also produced a pair of goals and four points on offense. 

WHAT'S NEXT?

The Drovers return to the pitch for the first game of the Sooner Athletic Conference Tournament on Friday, November 3 in Bethany, Okla. The Drovers will be the No. 6 seed in the tournament and will play at No. 3 seed Central Chritsian College.

The top eight teams in the conference qualify for the SAC Tournament, and the top four seeds earn a bid to host for the opening round of the tournament. The highest seed will host for the remainder of the way.

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