Perry Hall resident and York College senior Jon Ports (McDonogh) has been honored as the NSCAA Division III Men’s Soccer Player-of-the-Year as announced by the organization late last week. Ports becomes York’s first national Player-of-the-Year in athletic department history.
“When I first heard about it, when the NSCAA Chairman called me, I couldn’t believe it,” Ports said of hearing of his selection. “I was emotional and excited.”
“It definitely shows how this team has progressed,” Ports continued. “It is an individual award but it has been my teammates and coaches that have made me better over the past three seasons.”
In 2009, the senior Spartan tallied a team-high 23 points on seven goals, including a trio of game-winners, and nine assists. As the focal point of the Green and White attack, as well as opponent’s defensive game plans, Ports led the Spartans to a 17-1-5 record, their first Capital Athletic Conference Tournament Championship since the 2006 campaign, and York’s fifth straight appearance in the NCAA Tournament this year reaching the Sweet 16. All told, the Spartans finished ranked eighth in the final 2009 NSCAA national poll.
Spartan head coach Mark Ludwig said. “He is a special player that brings unmatched qualities to every game. It has been a pleasure to watch him progress not only as a player, but more importantly as a person. All these honors bestowed upon him the past three years are truly a testament to not only his abilities, but also his character and work ethic.”
The two-time CAC Player-of-the-Year leaves the Spartan program after notching 33 goals, including 12 game-winners, while his 35 career assists ties him for first all-time. Ports’ 101 career points stands as the third-best total in Spartan men’s soccer history. The Spartans made three consecutive trips to the NCAA Tournament during Ports’ time in the Green and White, reaching as far as the Elite Eight in 2007. Additionally, Ports is one of only a handful of three-time first-team All-American in NCAA men’s soccer history across all three divisions.
“With team success comes individual awards, Ludwig commented on Ports’ most recent accolade. “This honor is not only just an individual honor, but a team one as well. We were all very fortunate to have worked with Jon over the previous three years.” Ports started in each of York’s 68 contests over the previous three campaigns, as he helped lead the Green and White to a remarkable 56-4-8 record, including 21-1-2 in CAC play, during that span.