Aaron Whitten is AAC POY as Men's Soccer Earns Six First Teamers

Aaron Whitten is AAC POY as Men's Soccer Earns Six First Teamers
April 9, 2021

By Mike DeVader, Reinhardt Director of Athletic Communications & Media

ASHEVILLE, N.C. – The Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) released the 2020 All-AAC Men's Soccer Teams earlier Friday, and senior forward Aaron Whitten was selected as the AAC Player of the Year by the league's coaches.

The Locust Grove, Ga., native played a key role in helping the Eagles (13-2, 9-1 AAC) claim the AAC Championship banner after second-seeded Reinhardt beat Milligan (Tenn.), 2-1, on April 6.

It was also the first time the program had won both the regular-season and postseason titles in the same year.

Whitten – a First Team All-AAC choice – netted 11 goals on the year to go along with three assists for 25 points. He ranks ninth in the NAIA in game-winning goals (4), 31st in goals (11) and 36th in points (25).

The hometown team's accolades weren't done there, as Whitten was joined on the first team by Leonardo Fagioli, Gian-Luca Fahling, Yosr Frej, Rafael Pais and Niko Tzevelekos.

That group has helped the Eagles field one of the best defenses in the NAIA heading into the National Championship. As a team, Reinhardt has allowed only seven goals in 15 matches (0.47 per contest), which ranks sixth in the nation.

Additionally, of the teams in the top six in that stat category, the Eagles have played four more times than the second-highest team (No. 4 Viterbo (Wis.); three goals allowed in 11 outings).

The hometown club ranks 16th in shutouts per match at 53 percent, and the eight total blankings on the campaign is also tied for sixth in the NAIA.

Not to be outdone, Gabriel Stefansson also earned Second Team All-AAC for his play this season.

To view the complete list of awards from the AAC, please click here.

Practice continues as the squad awaits its first opponent for the National Championship during the NAIA Men's Soccer Selection Show on Monday, April 19 at 1 p.m.

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For more information on Reinhardt Men's Soccer, please click here.