University of Connecticut Athletics
Four Huskies Named NSCAA/adidas All-New England Team Members
11/28/2001 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
STORRS, CT (November 28) — Seniors Chris Gbandi (Houston, TX) and Bryheem Hancock (Middletown, DE) and junior Anthony Curtis (Kingston, Jamaica) of the University of Connecticut men’s soccer team were named to the 2001 National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA)/adidas Division I All-New England First Team, while junior Damani Ralph (Meridian, MS) was voted to the third team as announced Wednesday afternoon.
Gbandi has earned all All-New England honors for the fourth straight year. This season, playing between the midfield and defensive positions, Gbandi appeared in 10 games notching three goals for six points, and helped UConn post seven of its nine shutouts. He became the BIG EAST’s first three-time Defensive Player of the Year, and also became the first four-time All-BIG EAST First Team honoree in BIG EAST history. After winning the 2000 Hermann Trophy, Gbandi was named a finalist for both the 2001 Hermann and M.A.C. Awards for the third straight year. Missing the first seven games of the 2001 season, Connecticut was 3-2-2 without Gbandi in the lineup, but went 10-1 after his return. Gbandi also missed the last five games of the season.
Hancock earned this honor for the first time in his Husky career. This season, he posted nine shutouts and a league-best six shutouts in BIG EAST play. He was named the 2001 BIG EAST Goalkeeper of the Year after he played every minute of the season in goal for UConn, and completed BIG EAST play with a low 0.39 goals against average. Overall, Hancock allowed 22 goals in 22 games for a 0.93 gaa, and played all of UConn’s minutes in net (2137:02), which included 13 overtime periods.
A transfer from URI for the start of the 2001 season, Curtis is donned with this honor for the third consecutive year. A center midfielder for the Huskies, Curtis filled in the missing gap with Gbandi’s absence at the start of the season, playing at the defensive midfield position. Midway through the season, he was moved to a more offensive roll where he recorded four goals and six assists for 14 points, including a three game-winning goals.
Ralph, also a transfer (Meridian CC) for the start of the 2001 season, ended play as Connecticut’s top scorer. He notched a team-leading 10 goals and added six assists for 26 points, including two game-winners.
Connecticut completed the 2001 season with a 15-5-2 overall record, 9-1 in conference play. The Huskies captured their fourth consecutive BIG EAST Regular Season Title and the No. 1 seed the BIG EAST Championship before falling to St. John’s (1-0) in the tournament final. UConn received its fifth straight and 22nd overall NCAA Tournament berth, earning a first round bye. The Huskies dropped a 1-0, triple-overtime decision to Rutgers in second-round play to end the season.
