Gyau Player of the Year, 6 Statesmen Earn All-Region X Honors

SOUTH PRINCE GEORGE, VA – In a season that saw the Richard Bland College of William & Mary men's soccer team finish with 14 wins, the second most in school history, five Statesmen players earned All-Region X honors, highlighted by sophomore defender Vandyke Gyau (Alexandria/Mount Vernon) being named Player of the Year.

"It's a great tribute to these student-athletes that they have been recognized for their hard work and effort that led to a successful season," said head coach Damien Westfield. 

A First-Team Region X selection last year, and a repeat selection this season, Gyau has started in 37 of 38 games in his career, including all 18 this year. He has been the anchor of a stingy Statesmen defense the past two years. This past season, Richard Bland allowed just 0.73 goals a game. It marks the first time in program history that a Statesmen player has been named Region X Player of the Year. 

Joining Gyau on the First Team was sophomore forward Umar Mujahid (Meherrin/Home Schooled). This past season, Mujahid scored seven goals and added 12 assists for 26 points, best on the team. Three of his seven goals were game winners. Last season he was an Honorable Mention selection.

Three Statesmen players earned Second Team honors, freshman defender Henrique Castelhano (San Paulo Spain, Mater Dei) and midfielder Antonio Ferreira (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil/The British School). Castelhano was seventh on the team in scoring with two goals and eight assists, including two game-winners. Ferreira was sixth on the team in scoring with five goals and six assists. Freshman Max Schobel (Meinigen, Germany/Johann-Gottfried-Herder Gymnasium), was the third RBC player chosen to the Region X Second-Team. He started in 17 of 18 games and was an anchor of a stingy RBC defense. 

Sophomore Romeo Kayizali (Rigali, Rwanda/Paul VI) was named to the Region X Third Team. He was third on the team in scoring with 23 points on a team-best 11 goals with one assist.