Men’s soccer ended their most successful season in program history with a 2-1 loss to No. 4 ranked Loras Nov. 16.

With the season at an end, a number of players were recognized for their performances. Senior Brandon Chmiel was voted the Wisconsin Intercolligate Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Year.

“I feel honored to be awarded this,” Chmiel said.  “I worked hard this season to help my team put the ball in the net and score some big goals.”

Junior Michael Prudisch was also voted the WIAC Defensive Player of the Year and Head Coach Enzo Fuschino was voted Coach of the Year in the Pioneers most successful season in program history.

With a 15-4-1 record this year, the Pioneers won the WIAC, and qualified for the NCAA tournament for the second time in university history.

“The difference between this year’s team and last year’s team is like night and day,” Fuschino said.  “They have raised the bar for expectations.”

The Pioneers won over Loras 2-1  Sept. 19.

“The Loras game told us as a team that we could play anybody and acted as an injection of confidence,” Fuschino said.

Junior Ian Christensen, the team’s goalkeeper, attributed the team’s success to the squad’s character.  Christensen considers the first game against Loras to be their biggest game of the season.

“I would say our greatest quality was our perseverance,” Christensen said.  “Everyone on this team fought for one another, never quit and played with their heart every game.”

Seven players made the all-conference team. Christensen, Chmiel, senior Chris Brown, Prudisch and sophomores Brad Streich and Hunter McMahon all were recognized by the conference.