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INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – The Horizon League has announced the 2026 #HLMSOC All-League Awards, naming Oakland men’s soccer standouts Zach Townsend and Cal Kurzawa to this season’s All-League Teams.

Townsend earned First Team All-League recognition as a defender, while Kurzawa was selected to the Second Team as a forward. The honors recognize two of Oakland’s top performers and key contributors throughout the 2026 campaign.

Townsend earns his second All-League First Team selection of his career, last earning the award in 2024 before missing 2025. His impact as a leader of the Golden Grizzlies’ backline is second to none. A consistent presence defensively, Townsend helped anchor Oakland’s defensive unit throughout conference play as the team registered four shutouts on the season, while Townsend played every minute of every match during the season.

The graduate student from Oxford also tallied two goals this season, one against Purdue Fort Wayne (10/3) and Wright State (11/3). He finishes his career at Oakland with a signature accolade and furthering his place as one of the best defenders in program history.

Kurzawa was named to the All-League Second Team in his inaugural season at Oakland, delivering one of the most electric offensive seasons in the Horizon League.

He led Oakland with seven goals, three assists, and 17 points through 15 appearances. A threat to score at any time, he recorded a pair of two-goal performances on the season, tallying two goals and an assist against UIC (8/27) and another brace against Purdue Fort Wayne (10/3). 

Earning Horizon League Offensive Player of the Week honors as well as a spot on the Top Drawer Soccer Team of the Week this season, Kurzawa stamped himself as a top offensive player in the conference. 

See the full 2026 #HLMSOC All-League Awards below:

Player of the Year: Tom Mertz, Cleveland State

Goalkeeper of the Year: Carson Pridie, Milwaukee

Offensive Player of the Year: Brandon Razo, Purdue Fort Wayne

Defensive Player of the Year:  Jack Wagner, Milwaukee

Freshman of the Year: Domenic Ruggiero, Cleveland State

Sportsmanship Award: Jago Thompson-Roberts, IU Indianapolis

Coach of the Year: Kris Kelderman, Milwaukee

 

All-League First Team

Tom Mertz, Cleveland State, Midfielder

Lennhart Heck, Cleveland State, Defender

Domenic Ruggiero, Cleveland State, Forward

Carson Pridie, Milwaukee, Goalkeeper

Jack Wagner, Milwaukee, Defender

Dominic Zuniga, Milwaukee, Midfielder

Niko Angulo, NIU, Midfielder

Vance Sheffield, NIU, Forward

Zach Townsend, Oakland, Defender

Brandon Razo, Purdue Fort Wayne, Forward

Anelson Azard, RMU, Forward

 

All-League Second Team

Uzman Ramees, Cleveland State, Midfielder

Drew Pierson, Detroit Mercy, Defender

Oscar Arroyo, Green Bay, Defender

Noah Lechelt, Green Bay, Forward

Luka Vasic, NIU, Defender

Cal Kurzawa, Oakland, Forward

Jonny Hernandez, Purdue Fort Wayne, Midfielder

Karsten Ternes, Purdue Fort Wayne, Defender

Josh Lane, RMU, Goalkeeper

Maximillian Banfi, Wright State, Forward

Gabe Gotting, Wright State, Midfielder

 

Sportsmanship Award Finalists

Colin Monroe, Detroit Mercy

Jago Thompson-Roberts, IU Indianapolis*

Mitch Goodman, Milwaukee

Miguel Dominguez, RMU

Maximillian Banfi, WSU