INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – After clinching its third straight Horizon League tournament appearance, the Vikings men's soccer program earned four all-league awards and two special awards, as announced by the league Friday afternoon.
 
The notable awards were Tom Mertz being named Player of the Year, and Domenic Ruggiero as Freshman of the Year. The all-league team consisted of three CSU players on the First Team and one on the Second Team.

TOM MERTZ | PLAYER OF THE YEAR | JUNIOR | FIRST TEAM ALL-LEAGUE
Mertz becomes the seventh player in program history to be named the Horizon League Player of the Year with the last honor coming in 2024. Mertz served as the team captain, starting all 16 games in the midfield. This is his third All-League honor and second straight season receiving First Team recognition. The Bohringen, Germany, native led the Vikings in assists (7) and points (17), along with being second in goals (5). Off the field, Mertz was named Academic All-League.
 
DOMENIC RUGGIERO | FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR | FRESHMAN | FIRST TEAM ALL-LEAGUE
Ruggiero is the third straight Cleveland State athlete to be named Horizon League Freshman of the Year. The Middleburg Heights, Ohio, native led the Vikings in scoring (7) and was second in points (15). Ruggiero was also tied for the team-lead in game-winners with two. This season, he played in all 16 games with 14 starts as a forward.
 
LENNART HECK | JUNIOR | FIRST TEAM ALL-LEAGUE
Heck received his second straight All-League honor as a defender but his first on the top team. Heck started all 16 games as a central defender, helping anchor the backline to five shutouts. He also recorded an assist against Wright State.
 
UZMAN RAMEES | SOPHOMORE | THIRD TEAM ALL-LEAGUE
Ramees grabbed his second All-League honor of his career, moving up to the Second Team as a midfielder. The Brampton, Ontario, native played in all 16 contests with eleven starts in the midfield. Ramees recorded ten points on the year behind three goals and four assists.