Benjelloun and Nurkic Named Second-Team All-Americans
The USCAA released their annual All-American lists over the weekend and two PSUGA Soccer players were recognized. Senior Belmo Nurkic and freshman Idriss Benjelloun were each named USCAA Second-Team All-Americans for their efforts this season.
Virginia Beach, VA. – The United States Collegiate Athletic Association released their annual All-Americans list and two Penn State Greater Allegheny Soccer players have been honored. Senior Belmo Nurkic (Pittsburgh, Pa./Baldwin HS) and freshman Idriss Benjelloun (Harrisburg, PA./Susquehanna Township HS) have been named USCAA Second-Team All-Americans for their efforts this season.
Both Benjelloun and Nurkic were leaders on their sides of the ball in 2018-2019 and each played an instrumental role in guiding their teams to the Penn State University Athletic Conference Playoffs for the fifth straight season. Both performed exceptionally well in their roles and were used in many ways throughout the season.
Nurkic is winning his first USCAA All-American award in this his fourth season with PSUGA. He had a career year setting new highs in goals (12), assists (6), points (30), shots (22), and shots on goal (14) while leading the team in all of those categories. Nurkic was a reliable midfielder for PSUGA all season and was a vocal leader helping to bring along some of the younger players who were learning the system.
Nurkic also stepped in and helped on defense appearing in three games in net for PSUGA this season filing in for Colin Bucsok (Pittsburgh, PA./Thomas Jefferson HS) when needed. Nurkic made 17 saves while allowing just four goals in just over 51 minutes in net. He picked up his first collegiate start, win, and shutout in net on October 16th against Westmoreland County Community College.
Benjelloun wins his first USCAA All-American award in his first season with PSUGA. Serving primarily as a defender, Benjelloun finished the year with three goals and three assists tallying nine points on the season and leading the team with a .300 shooting percentage. Benjelloun was the only PSUGA player to start and appear in every game this season and his hard work paid off winning him the award.
After not having a USCAA All-American last season, PSUGA continues to grow and get better year-by-year as they keep the winning tradition going that they have built over the last five seasons. Head Coach Dale Odim was happy with the way his guys performed this season and will be working hard to recruit some good young talent to help support the nine possible returners for next season.
PSUGA soccer will continue to grow and get better in the offseason as they train to try for a sixth straight PSUAC Playoff run in 2019-2020.