Saginaw Valley State University men's soccer program is heading to the GLIAC finals and four student athletes were awarded All-GLIAC team honors. Mzo Mthembu, Donna Kheswa, and Felix Tom were all named first team All-GLIAC along with Alex Demorow getting an honorable mention.
Mthembu is a junior forward in his first year with the program. He was named first team All-GLIAC forward with his two goals and an assist this year for five points with 14 shots and eight on goal for a shooting percentage of .143 and a shot on goal percentage of .571. Head coach Louis Barrow said,
"Mzo has been a terrific 'hold up' striker for us, a position he is not familiar with. For him to come in and play in an unnatural position speaks volumes of his ability and character."
Kheswa was named first team All-GLIAC midfielder. Kheswa is a freshman midfielder who joined the team around the midpoint of the season. He has started 10 games and played in 11 for the Cardinals accumulating 10 shots and three on goal. Barrow said,
"Donna has been integral to our team this year. He is the pulse of our midfield and constantly looking to orchestrate and manage from central areas. His personality is brilliant and he is deserving of this award."
Tom is also in his first year with the program as a freshman defender and was named first team All-GLIAC defender. He has all but two of the Saginaw Valley's 17 games this season including the two in the GLIAC championships. He has one assist and has been a key piece for the defense. When asked about Tom, Barrow said,
"Tom has been consistently a high performer this year. His attitude and willingness to put the team first is what has allowed him to be given this fantastic award."
Demorow was named All-GLIAC honorable mention. He is a sophomore defender in his first year with SVS. Demorow has played in all 17 games with 10 starts. He has three assists with 15 shots and six on goal. Barrow had this to say about Demorow,
"Alex has exhibited a ton of the values that we preach including hard work, grit, being a good team mate etc. Alex's overriding top quality is his character. He covers an immense amount of ground every game and is always looking to put the team first."
SVSU had the second most first team honors behind Parkside who had four. The Cardinals are looking for back-to-back GLIAC championships as they head to Purdue Northwest this weekend. The match will be either Saturday, November 11 or Sunday, November 12.