March 27, 2009
Washington, D.C. - The Georgetown University men's soccer team hosted its annual banquet on Friday evening in the John Thompson Jr. Lobby. The event honored the six seniors from the 2008 season as well as the yearly award winners. The Hoyas finished the season 11-5-3 overall and 5-3-3 in the BIG EAST for one of the most successful years in recent memory.
Senior Richard Diaz (Lakewood, Calif./St. John's Bosco) was awarded the Ricardo Mendoza Award given to the player who best exhibits qualities of spirit, leadership and dedication. The fifth-year defender was forced to take a medical redshirt and came back for his final year of eligibility appearing in seven games this year. Diaz is considered the heart of the team and is the first player since the inception of the award in 1970 to win it twice.
"Richard came to us last spring and was toying with the idea of coming back for his final season since he had one more year of eligibility," said Head Coach Brian Wiese. "We're so glad he did since Richard brings so much to the team and if he had another year we would want him to do the same."
Wiese's advice to Diaz later in the night was simple: "Don't change." Showing what an impact the senior had on the squad.
Freshman David Madison (Arlington Heights, Ill/Prospect) was named the Most Improved Player after working his way into the rotation in his rookie campaign. Madison scored two goals in 14 appearances and showed promise on the offensive end of the field both near the end of the season and this spring.
"This player came to us as a terrible defender, and he's still a terrible defender but luckily soccer has an offensive element and we always knew David would come in and score goals," joked Assistant Coach Zach Samol.
Finally, senior Peter Grasso (Burr Ridge, Ill./Hinsdale Central) was voted Most Valuable Player by his teammates after leading the squad in goals with seven and also posting two assists for a squad-high 16 points. Grasso was a BIG EAST Honorable Mention honoree in his first season as a forward after playing a number of positions over the years for the Hoyas.
"Peter truly deserves this award," said Assistant Coach Josh Shapiro. "He didn't just score goals in wins against teams we beat pretty handily, all of his goals came when we really needed them. He had four games-winners, and that's the sign of what he meant to us."
The evening concluded with a highlight video and closing remarks from Wiese on the success of the season and his hopes for the newest crop of seniors already taking on a leadership role during spring practice. GU will host an alumni game on Saturday to continue the weekend celebration.
