Dec. 17, 2008

MILWAUKEE - The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee men's soccer team may not be in-season anymore, but there are still plenty of newsworthy items going on with the team and its alumni. Most recently, the Panthers had their season-ending banquet and also saw former players Sasho Cirovski (1981-84) and Tenzin Rampa (2004-07) reach accomplishments on the playing field.

The team hosted its annual banquet on Sunday, December 14th, at the Hilton City Center in Milwaukee. The event recognized the 2008 UWM soccer players and their families, as well as the Sports Medicine Department and the administration for its support and dedication to the program.

"This banquet is a great opportunity to thank all of the people that help make the Milwaukee soccer program so special," Panther head coach Jon Coleman said. "So much time and effort is put in by countless people, year in and year out, to continue the tradition that is UWM Soccer. We thank you all."

Several Panthers were honored at the banquet for their academic and athletic achievements from this past year. Junior Nicholas Gerard-Larson was the recipient of the Soccer Scholar - the highest grade point average on the team - with a GPA of 3.824. The UWM men's program was also recognized for it's cumulative GPA of above a 3.0.

Senior Adam Skalecki and junior Nkuti Ndely were recognized for their dedication to the program, with Skalecki receiving the Coach's Award for Outstanding Service and Ndely receiving the John Fetzer's Award for the Most Dedicated Player. Sophomore Peter Sanger received the Most Improved Player of the Year and freshman Stephen Romanello was awarded the First Year Duty All-American. The Newcomer of the Year honors were split between freshmen Tony Maxey and Eric Frazier. Maxey was also named to the Horizon League All-Newcomer Team at the end of the season.

Frazier cleaned up at the banquet, taking home an array of awards that included: All-Horizon League Second Team, Horizon League All-Newcomer Team, UWM Newcomer of the Year, Golden Boot (16 points on six goals and four assists) and the Most Valuable Player of the Year.

"We also want to give a special thank you to our four seniors. These guys were fantastic for us and we wish them the best of luck in the future," Coleman said. The Panthers will graduate four seniors: Grant Fernstrum, Ryan Germann, Travis Phillips and Adam Skalecki.

Phillips will graduate at the end of this semester with a double major in marketing and supply chain management. The other three seniors are on track to finish within the next year. In addition to the seniors, the program will say farewell to its Director of Soccer Operations, Adam Beyer, after three years of service. Beyer is planning on continuing his education by attending Physician's Assistant School.

Sasho Cirovski Photo courtesy of umterps.com

Cirovski - who just wrapped up his 16th season as the head coach at Maryland - is a former All-Midwest player (1981-84) and assistant coach (1987-90) at Milwaukee. He made headlines by leading the Terrapins to the 2008 NCAA National Championship with a thrilling, 1-0, defeat of North Carolina in the title game this past Sunday. The title is the second of his career, winning his first in 2005.

Rampa continued his career professionally, as he was added to the opening day roster of the Milwaukee Wave Dec. 11 after signing a 15-day contract. Rampa had been playing with the Armada, the Wave's developmental squad. Rampa was in his second year with the Armada and had scored 19 goals in the first five games in 2008.

Tenzin Rampa

Rampa, a four-year letterwinner who was selected by the Wave in the 2008 Major Indoor Soccer League College Draft, was a key piece of the Milwaukee midfield his final three seasons. He was one of just two players to start all 20 games in 2007, finishing the year with a career-best three assists and 18 shots. He appeared in all 19 games as a junior after a breakout season as a sophomore.

The Panthers look forward to returning to action in January. The spring schedule will be available online in early 2009.