AUGUSTA, Ga. - The Peach Belt Conference has released their postseason honors for the 2023 Men's Soccer season that saw five members of the Lander Men's Soccer team named to the All-Conference team as voted on by the league's coaches. The Bearcats had four players named to the first team and another player named to the second team. Also included in the honors Keanu Ridgill earning the Elite 18 Award for Men's Soccer by having the highest GPA of all the athletes competing at the championship site.

Named to the first team were forward Christian Hatley, midfielder Rob Dymond, defender Jed Smith, and goalkeeper Juan Rodriguez. Forward Jonah Miller was named to the second team.

Hatley finished the season with 27 points, including a conference-high 12 goals earning him the Select Sport Golden Ball Award. The Nottingham, England native put up 53 shots, 30 more than the second most on the team. He also netted six game winning goals and was a perfect three for three from the penalty spot.

Dymond was one of three players who have started all 16 games for the Bearcats alongside fellow first team honorees Jed Smith and Christian Hatley. In his nearly 1400 minutes played, he netted three goals and also assisted on two others.

Jed Smith has not been subbed out in the entirety of Lander's 16 game season, totaling a minute total of 1440. On top of his goal and two assists, Smith was the anchor on a back line that only allowed more than one goal twice in conference play, including two shutouts.

Juan Rodriguez was Lander's netminder for 14 of the 16 games where he saved 42 shots and had a 1.29 goals against average, good for second in the conference. He also recorded a conference-high 10 saves in a game in Lander's upset win over then sixth-ranked Clayton State on October 14th.

Jonah Miller was able to tab two goals and three assists in just over 600 minutes of play this season. 

Ridgill earned the Elite 18 honor with a 4.0 GPA in Business Administration.

The Lander Men's Soccer Team starts their quest for their second straight Peach Belt Tournament title and seventh overall on Friday as they take on North Georgia. The Nighthawks were the last opponent that the Blue and Gold faced over two weeks ago as Lander came away with a 3-1 victory on senior night.