November 7, 1997
GREENVILLE, SC -- Senior defender Pete Santora received the Southern Conference Player-of-the-Year award Friday night at the honors banquet at Furman University.
Santora, a first team All-American in 1996, stepped up his play to yet another level this season. Along with controlling a Paladin defense that allowed only 11 goals and recorded nine shutouts, Santora is Furman's leading scorer with seven goals and three assists.
Along with Santora, goalkeeper Ronnie Pascale and midfielder Daniel Alvarez were selected to the first team all-conference. Pascale leads the South Region with a 0.62 Goals Against Average and is ranked fifth in the nation in that category. In addidtion, he has recorded six shutouts this season. Sophomore Daniel Alvarez is Furman's second leading scorer this season with three goals and seven assists. He was selected as the conference's top midfielder.
Two Paladins also were selected to the second team. Peter Slobodyan was the 1996 Southern Conference Freshman-of-the-Year and helped anchor the stingy Paladin defense this season with Santora. Freshman Carl Junot was the final selection for the Paladins. Junot has scored six goals this season despite missing several games due to injuries.