Men's Soccer | 8/22/2017 12:00:00 PM
STATESBORO - Georgia Southern junior defender Emil Laursen claimed Sun Belt Conference Preseason Defensive Player of the Year honors to highlight the Eagle accolades with today's release of the 2017 Sun Belt Preseason Men's Soccer Individual Awards.
Laursen, who was the league's Defensive Player of the Year as a sophomore in 2016, was also named to the Preseason All-Sun Belt Team. Senior forward Blake Wilson was also selected to the team, giving the Eagles two honorees.
A junior from Silkeborg, Denmark, Laursen is the second Eagle to be selected as the Preseason Defensive Player of the Year, joining goalkeeper Jack Falle (2015). Laursen was an NSCAA All-Southeast Region honoree last season and a first-team All-Conference honoree, anchoring a back lie for Georgia Southern that - with three freshmen and one sophomore starting - held opponents to a 1.21 GAA in his 14 appearances. Laursen also tallied three goals on the season, all game-winners.
Wilson, meanwhile, earns the preseason All-Conference honor after tallying eight goals and two assists for 18 points in 2016. The Tampa, Fla., native ranked third in the Sun Belt in goals scored and points, earning first-team All-Conference honors.
"We're pleased that both Blake and Emil were recognized in this pre-season all conference team, as well as our second place finish in the coaches poll. But the hard work is about to begin for all of us as we look to live up to these exceptions. We are excited for the upcoming season, and can't wait to get started vs a very good Monmouth team on Friday night."
Click here to view the complete 2017 Sun Belt Conference Men's Soccer Preseason Award release.
Georgia Southern will open up its 2017 regular season this weekend, traveling to Charleston, S.C., for the Aaron Olitsky Tournament, hosted by the College of Charleston. The Eagles will open up action in the tournament on Friday, August 25th, facing Monmouth at 5 p.m.
