UNIVERSITY CENTER, Mich. – The Saginaw Valley State University men's soccer program headlined the 2025 Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference postseason awards, earning GLIAC Player of the Year, GLIAC Defensive Player of the Year, and GLIAC Coaching Staff of the Year. The Cardinals also placed 10 players on All-GLIAC teams, matching the program record set in 2017.
Graduate midfielder Eoin Farrell (Athy, Ireland / Ardscoil na Tríonóide) was named the GLIAC Player of the Year, while junior defender Kolja Thomas (Butjadingen, Germany / Zinzendorschule Tossens) earned GLIAC Defensive Player of the Year. Head coach Louis Barrow and assistants Adam McAleenan, Jake Nunner, and Elliot Nottoli were recognized as the GLIAC Coaching Staff of the Year.
These honors come after the Cardinals finished the regular season 10-2-4, captured back-to-back GLIAC regular-season titles, and outscored opponents 32-10, leading the conference in both goals scored and fewest goals conceded.
Farrell delivered a dominant two-way season, finishing with seven goals, one assist, and 15 points in only 12 matches. The Athy, Ireland native scored three game-winners, including braces against Davenport and Roosevelt, and went a perfect 6-for-6 on penalty kicks. Farrell was the engine of SVSU's midfield, helping the Cardinals control possession and pace while contributing to a league-best +22 goal differential.
Barrow had this to say about Farrell,
"Eoin has been absolutely vital to our success this season. He's the engine of the team — a true leader on and off the field, and a brilliant footballer. He covers every blade of grass, flies into every challenge, and consistently makes mature, team-first decisions that drive us forward. He might not be the "flashiest" player in the conference, but he's undoubtedly the most effective — a true winner in every sense."
Thomas anchored a back line that allowed just 10 goals in 16 matches and held opponents to 6.4 shots per game. The junior led the team with 1,337 minutes played, adding two goals and one assist from his center back role. Thomas' defensive consistency, aerial dominance, and ability to break pressure in buildup made SVSU the conference's top defensive unit.
Barrow said this about Thomas's season
"Kolja has been absolutely steadfast for us this season. He's anchored a back line that's conceded just ten goals in sixteen games, which speaks volumes about his consistency and leadership. His "clean sheet" mentality sets the tone for everyone around him, and his personality is loved by the lads. He's been a massive part of our success and fully deserves this recognition."
Barrow and his staff earned the league's top coaching honor after guiding SVSU to its second straight GLIAC title and another season of elite balance on both sides of the ball. The Cardinals posted eight shutouts, led the conference in goals, assists, shots, shots on goal, and goal differential, and finished unbeaten at home (7-0-2).
Barrow said,
"I'm incredibly proud of our staff. Adam and Jake are brilliant young coaches who care deeply about this program and work tirelessly every day. Both live in Detroit and make a long commute to Saginaw, which only highlights their commitment and passion for what we're building here.
Adam, in his first year as our first assistant coach, has brought a fresh voice, new perspective, and higher standard that's helped push us forward. Jake continues to embody everything our program stands for — energy, humility, and a relentless work ethic.
I'm proud of the entire staff and team for what we've achieved together. Since January 2025, we've integrated sixteen new players, and to go back-to-back as GLIAC regular-season champions — the first team to do it since 2014 — speaks volumes about the collective belief and culture within this group."
Farrell and Thomas were joined on the All-GLIAC First Team with Matty Telfer (Newcastle, England / Sunderland College) and Liam Zimmerman (Clarkston, Mich. / Clarkston HS).
Telfer led the Cardinals with 16 points on six goals and four assists, producing a team-high 43 shots and a .651 shots-on-goal percentage. He recorded a brace against Roosevelt and tallied at least one point in seven matches.
Zimmerman paired with Thomas to form one of the GLIAC's most reliable center-back duos. The senior contributed two goals and two assists, recorded 11 shots on goal, and helped SVSU hold opponents to 102 shot attempts and 46 shots on goal all season. He also scored a two-goal performance at St. Cloud State.
Evan Baker (Frankenmuth, Mich. / Frankenmuth HS), Lui Ingavi (Kapsara, Kenya / Montverde Academy), and Taro Aboubakary (Yokohama, Japan / Seiwa Gakuen HS) all earned All-GLIAC Second Team honors.
Baker totaled four goals and two assists for 10 points, including a brace against Northwood. He added 17 shots on goal and scored two game-winners.
Ingavi matched Baker with four goals and two assists, generating 40 shots and with both of them having the second-most shots on goal for the team with 17. The Kapsara, Kenya native was one of SVSU's most consistent creators in the attacking third.
A breakout performer in his first collegiate season, Aboubakary finished with 4 assists—all primary—and created numerous scoring chances. He tallied two-assist matches against Davenport and St. Cloud State and recorded seven shots on goal while serving as a key ball-progressor in midfield.
Ryan Bovee (Clarkston, Mich. / Clarkston HS), Adrian Hatman (Chisinau, Moldova / Lucian Blaga), and Logan Kunnen (Jenison, Mich. / Unity Christian HS) all earned Honorable Mention All-GLIAC honors.
Bovee started all 16 matches, contributing three assists and playing 1,260 minutes as a midfielder. He added six shots on target and was a key part of the league's best defensive unit.
Hatman played in all 15 matches he was available for, registering a goal and an assist on 32 shots, often providing high-energy pressure and long-range attempts from midfield.
Kunnen started all 14 matches he appeared in, adding a goal and two assists while logging 1,191 minutes. His pace and recovery defending made him vital in transition moments.