Men’s soccer players awarded with CCC accolades, Defensive Player of the Year

salvetoday Posted On November 1, 2021
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The Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) recently announced its 2021 Men’s Soccer All-Conference Teams and major award winners. Eight CCC schools were represented on this year’s list. Six Salve Regina soccer players were honored — including Casey Kelly ’21, a current graduate student, who was selected as the Defensive Player of the Year for the second time in his career.

Salve Regina’s forward Alessandro Oggiano ’22 made the the All-CCC First Team, while midfielders Jordan Borges ’24, Rich Ventura ’22 and back James Davies ’22 made the All-CCC Second Team. Jacob Guerra ’21 made the All-CCC Third Team as a forward.

Defensive Player of the Year/CCC Scholar-Athlete

Salve Regina’s Kelly picks up his second-straight CCC Defensive Player of the Year honor after winning the award in 2019. The Seahawks center back was a key piece to a defensive unit that earned five shutouts and averaged just over one goal-allowed per game.

Kelly’s accomplishments were not limited to the pitch, however, as he also racked up a number of academic honors during his time in Newport, Rhode Island. He completed his bachelor’s degree in financial management in May 2021, graduating magna cum laude, and is currently working on an MBA in management. He has already been named to three CCC Academic All-Conference Teams and is expected to be honored again in 2021.

Kelly was also recognized as a United Soccer Coaches Scholar All-American in 2019 and earned Salve Regina’s McAuley Scholarship for academic merit. His time at Salve Regina also included Dean’s List recognition every semester and membership in the Pell Circle of Scholars Honors program.

Kelly also held membership in the Chi Alpha Sigma National College Athlete Honor Society, Sigma Beta Delta International Honor Society for Business, Management and Administration, and a number of other business and accounting clubs. He served as a team mentor and tutor and volunteered his time as a coach for the Newport Shooting Stars youth soccer program.

Voting for the All-CCC Teams and major awards was conducted by the 10 CCC men’s soccer head coaches following the conclusion of the regular season.

For the complete list of All-CCC honorees and major award winners, go here.

The Commonwealth Coast Conference, founded in 1984, is an NCAA Division III athletic conference comprised of 10 full member and two associate member institutions throughout the New England region. Its membership aims to provide student-athletes with a positive experience in their pursuit of excellence through high academic standards, quality competition, and a meaningful student life. The conference administers championships in 19 intercollegiate sports.