Soccer Trio Earns All-Northeast Region Honors
12/5/2018 10:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Dylan Castanheira, Dylan Mott, and Blake Willis earned all-region honors for their stellar seasons.
NEW YORK – Columbia seniors Dylan Castanheira and Dylan Mott were named second team All-Northeast Region while sophomore Blake Willis was a third team pick, announced today by the United Soccer Coaches.
After earning Ivy League Defensive Player of the Year honors and becoming a first team All-Ivy League goalkeeper, Castanheira has another award to add to his already full mantle. The Landing, New Jersey, native ended his career at 33-10-4 in net after a 10-5-1 season in 2018 where he played every minute in every match. With 25 career shutouts, Castanheira eclipsed Gary Escher's program record of 23, while posting the second highest career save percentage in Columbia history at 0.841. The senior is a three-time All-Ivy League honoree, and led the nation in save percentage and goals against average during his sophomore season.
"His humble approach, team first mentality, work ethic, dedication, focus and leadership during his time at Columbia is second to none. He leaves Columbia as the all-time best at his position and his statistics back that up. As a young, talented, eager, resilient and focused goalkeeper I am looking forward to his next steps. As I have stated before, whoever gets to work with him next is going to be thrilled. I also want to recognize Assistant Coach Luke Kelly for the development of Dylan and our entire goalkeeping group over the last two seasons." – Head Coach Kevin Anderson
Mott came into the year with four career goals, but added on impressively with five scores and one assist during his final season. The Bohemia, New York, product knocked in a game-winner at Monmouth, then followed that up at Penn with another game-winning goal. Mott also scored on the road in a 2-1 win at Yale, and accounted for both goals during a 2-1 victory at Harvard. This is the first career all-region honor for Mott, who celebrated his first-ever All-Ivy League selection in 2018.
"I don't think that there was a day that this guy showed up at the field without a smile on his face. In the hardest of moments and the most challenging of times, he found the joy in it. His relentless approach to getting forward on the flanks and behind the others teams defense has been a key to our success. I'd like to recognize Associate Head Coach Ken Pollard for his work with Dylan and the other attacking players over the last four seasons. We are getting more and more dynamic in our attack with our best days still ahead." – Anderson
After coming away with second team All-Ivy honors a season ago, Willis was back at it his sophomore season. With starts in 14 of 15 games on the back line, the Flower Mound, Texas native accounted for three assists which all came during Columbia victories. Willis assisted one of three Kynan Rocks goals in the win over Binghamton, and provided helpers at Yale and Harvard.
"His mentality is where it all starts. Whatever the team needs is always his first response. Between playing as a central defender and left back, you can always count on him being disciplined, respecting the game plan and getting forward out of the back. His consistent approach between what he puts into games and what he puts into practice is one of the major reasons that he continues to develop day in and day out. With two more seasons to develop, grow and lead this program there are fantastic things to come both individually and collectively under his leadership." – Anderson
After earning Ivy League Defensive Player of the Year honors and becoming a first team All-Ivy League goalkeeper, Castanheira has another award to add to his already full mantle. The Landing, New Jersey, native ended his career at 33-10-4 in net after a 10-5-1 season in 2018 where he played every minute in every match. With 25 career shutouts, Castanheira eclipsed Gary Escher's program record of 23, while posting the second highest career save percentage in Columbia history at 0.841. The senior is a three-time All-Ivy League honoree, and led the nation in save percentage and goals against average during his sophomore season.
"His humble approach, team first mentality, work ethic, dedication, focus and leadership during his time at Columbia is second to none. He leaves Columbia as the all-time best at his position and his statistics back that up. As a young, talented, eager, resilient and focused goalkeeper I am looking forward to his next steps. As I have stated before, whoever gets to work with him next is going to be thrilled. I also want to recognize Assistant Coach Luke Kelly for the development of Dylan and our entire goalkeeping group over the last two seasons." – Head Coach Kevin Anderson
Mott came into the year with four career goals, but added on impressively with five scores and one assist during his final season. The Bohemia, New York, product knocked in a game-winner at Monmouth, then followed that up at Penn with another game-winning goal. Mott also scored on the road in a 2-1 win at Yale, and accounted for both goals during a 2-1 victory at Harvard. This is the first career all-region honor for Mott, who celebrated his first-ever All-Ivy League selection in 2018.
"I don't think that there was a day that this guy showed up at the field without a smile on his face. In the hardest of moments and the most challenging of times, he found the joy in it. His relentless approach to getting forward on the flanks and behind the others teams defense has been a key to our success. I'd like to recognize Associate Head Coach Ken Pollard for his work with Dylan and the other attacking players over the last four seasons. We are getting more and more dynamic in our attack with our best days still ahead." – Anderson
After coming away with second team All-Ivy honors a season ago, Willis was back at it his sophomore season. With starts in 14 of 15 games on the back line, the Flower Mound, Texas native accounted for three assists which all came during Columbia victories. Willis assisted one of three Kynan Rocks goals in the win over Binghamton, and provided helpers at Yale and Harvard.
"His mentality is where it all starts. Whatever the team needs is always his first response. Between playing as a central defender and left back, you can always count on him being disciplined, respecting the game plan and getting forward out of the back. His consistent approach between what he puts into games and what he puts into practice is one of the major reasons that he continues to develop day in and day out. With two more seasons to develop, grow and lead this program there are fantastic things to come both individually and collectively under his leadership." – Anderson
Players Mentioned
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/ Men's SoccerTuesday, October 28
Tuesday, October 28
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