Hilton, NY—Russell Sage College's men's soccer team, which finished the 2021 season as the Empire 8 runner-up, had four players honored on Tuesday with the release of the men's soccer all-conference teams. The Gators went 5-3 on the year.
Named to the First Team for RSC was senior defender Nathan Ficht (Poughkeepsie, NY/Spackenkill), while senior forward Jeaneste Pierre (Newburgh, NY/Newburgh Free Academy) and junior midfielder Christian Vaaulstuen (Lillestrom, Norway) were named to the Second Team. Sophomore forward/midfielder John Locicero (Gardiner, NY/Wallkill) earned a spot on the Empire 8 Men's Soccer Sportsman of the Year Team.
Ficht, who anchored the defense this year, was a starter in every match and helped the team post two shutouts, while holding the opposition to a 1.11 goals against average. He added a personal-best six points on one goal with four assists. His one goal was the game-winner in overtime to help RSC defeat Nazareth 2-1 in the season opener.
Vaalstuen finished the season as the team's second leading scorer with three goals and six points. He added two game-winning goals along the way, including the tally in the Empire 8 Semifinals to send the Gators to the championship match. On his career, Vaalstuen has four goals, including three game-winning goals, with two assists and now has 10 points in 40 games played.
Pierre was the team's leading scorer for the second straight season. Pierre had nine points on four goals with an assist. He assisted on Vaalstuen's goal in the Empire 8 Semifinals. On his career, Pierre has 30 career points (13 g, 4a), while boasting four career game-winning goals in 50 games played.
One member of each team was named that institution's representative on the 2021 E8 Spring Men's Soccer Sportsman of the Year Team. The Empire 8 Conference emphasizes that "Competing with Honor and Integrity" is an essential component of a student-athlete's experience in conjunction with an institution's educational mission. These honorees have distinguished themselves and consistently exhibit the critical traits as outstanding sportsmen. Locicero was recognized for his efforts and play this year. He played in all eight games and helped to guide the Gators to a spot in the Empire 8 Championship match.
