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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<\/a> and Cal Kurzawa<\/a> to this season’s All-League Teams.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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).\u00a0<\/p>\n 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.\u00a0<\/p>\n See the full 2026 #HLMSOC All-League Awards below:<\/p>\n Player of the Year: Tom Mertz, Cleveland State
\nGoalkeeper of the Year: Carson Pridie, Milwaukee
\nOffensive Player of the Year: Brandon Razo, Purdue Fort Wayne
\nDefensive Player of the Year:\u00a0 Jack Wagner, Milwaukee
\nFreshman of the Year: Domenic Ruggiero, Cleveland State
\nSportsmanship Award: Jago Thompson-Roberts, IU Indianapolis
\nCoach of the Year: Kris Kelderman, Milwaukee
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\nAll-League First Team
\nTom Mertz, Cleveland State, Midfielder
\nLennhart Heck, Cleveland State, Defender
\nDomenic Ruggiero, Cleveland State, Forward
\nCarson Pridie, Milwaukee, Goalkeeper
\nJack Wagner, Milwaukee, Defender
\nDominic Zuniga, Milwaukee, Midfielder
\nNiko Angulo, NIU, Midfielder
\nVance Sheffield, NIU, Forward
\nZach Townsend<\/a>, Oakland, Defender
\nBrandon Razo, Purdue Fort Wayne, Forward
\nAnelson Azard, RMU, Forward
\n\u00a0
\nAll-League Second Team
\nUzman Ramees, Cleveland State, Midfielder
\nDrew Pierson, Detroit Mercy, Defender
\nOscar Arroyo, Green Bay, Defender
\nNoah Lechelt, Green Bay, Forward
\nLuka Vasic, NIU, Defender
\nCal Kurzawa<\/a>, Oakland, Forward
\nJonny Hernandez, Purdue Fort Wayne, Midfielder
\nKarsten Ternes, Purdue Fort Wayne, Defender
\nJosh Lane, RMU, Goalkeeper
\nMaximillian Banfi, Wright State, Forward
\nGabe Gotting, Wright State, Midfielder
\n\u00a0
\nSportsmanship Award Finalists
\nColin Monroe, Detroit Mercy
\nJago Thompson-Roberts, IU Indianapolis*
\nMitch Goodman, Milwaukee
\nMiguel Dominguez, RMU
\nMaximillian Banfi, WSU
\n\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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