NEW BRITIAN, Conn. - (Nov. 14, 2013) The day before the Northeast Conference men's soccer tournament, the all-conference teams were announced at the annual banquet Thursday night, with Nick Kolarac (Pittsburgh, Pa./West Allegheny), Daniel Valcicak (Herndon, Va./Gonzaga College), Francis de Vries (Christchurch, New Zealand/Cashmere), Bryan Causey (Virginia Beach, Va./Salem), and Mitch Kavlick (Erie, Pa./Erie McDowell) all receiving honors.

Kolarac was selected to the first team as a forward, earning his second recognition on the All-NEC team. He picked up second team honors as a junior last season. A four-year starter at midfield for the Red Flash, Nick recently broke his own mark for points in a season with 18 after netting seven goals in the opening eight games, three of those goals being game winners.  With 15 career goals and 12 assists, he ranks among the top five in SFU history with 171 career shots. Nick was recognized September 3, of this season as NEC player of the week after an impressive three goal performance against William & Mary and Canisius.

Valcicak records back-to-back appearances on the NEC all-conference first team following his impressive senior season. The Virginia native matched his last season breaking several SFU records that he set in the pervious year. A three-year starter at goalkeeper, Daniel ranks second in the books with eight season shutouts, while holding the number one spot in save percentage .873. He also holds the career shutout mark with 19, is the leader in career save percentage .825, and ranks third in career saves 237. His goals-against-average ranks him tenth in the nation; he also posted an NEC-best GAA 0.59.

de Vries, a freshman stand out rounds out the NEC-ALL conference first team for Saint Francis. A two-time rookie of the week recipient, de Vries is one of just two freshman to earn all NEC recognition.  The Christchurch, New Zealand native has made his presence know in the backfield starting all 18 games. de Vries was a key component for Saint Francis helping Valcicak record six shutouts on the season.

Saint Francis U junior midfielder Causey, a NEC-ALL second team member pitched in a goal in the 1-1 tie to Saint Bonaventure on Oct. 10, helping the Frankies remain a threat on the national level. He also chipped in two assists for the Red Flash. Causey played a essential role down the stretch, helping SFU make it to the NEC playoffs.

Junior Kavlick received NEC-ALL second team honors serving as a vital defender for Saint Francis; his work in the back field helped the squad not allow multiple goals in a game this season. Kavlick also made his presence know on the offensive side of the ptich, assisting senior David Trunzo (State College, Pa./State College) on one of his two goals in the Red Flash season finale against Robert Morris.

Saint Francis enters the Northeast Conference tournament tomorrow afternoon as the No. 2 seed and will face the three seed Bryant at 6:30 p.m.

All-NEC First Team
Neco Brett - F - RMU
Kevin Correa- F - St. Francis (NY)
Nick Kolarac (Pittsburgh, Pa./West Allegheny) - F - Saint Francis U
Miro Cabrilo - MF - RMU
Bruce Cullen - MF - RMU
Anders Vest-Hansen - MF – FDU
John Johansson - MF - St. Francis Brooklyn
Conor Qualter - D - CCSU
Francis de Vries (Christchurch, New Zealand/Cashmere) - D - Saint Francis U
Nicholas Walker - D - FDU
Daniel Valcicak (Herndon, Va./Gonzaga College) - GK - Saint Francis U

All-NEC Second Team
Gabriel Bagot - F - St. Francis (NY)
Eddy Bogle - F - CCSU
Zach Zurita - F - CCSU
Bryan Causey (Virginia Beach, Va./Salem) - MF - Saint Francis U
Tanner Sica - MF - LIU Brooklyn
Stephan Walmsley - MF - CCSU
Devon Williams - MF - RMU
Andy Cormack - D - St. Francis (NY)
Jose Gamboa - D - CCSU
Mitch Kavlick (Erie, Pa./Erie McDowell) - D - Saint Francis U
Josef Abele - GK - CCSU