ST. LOUIS – Bradley has claimed the league’s top individual honor, with the Braves’ senior forward Wojciech Wojcik taking the league’s Player of the Year honors. Missouri State’s James Fawke has been tabbed the Valley’s Defensive Player of the Year, while SIUE senior John Berner has been named the Goalkeeper of the Year for the second consecutive season. Bradley’s rookie forward Christian Okeke was named the league’s Freshman of the Year. Wojcik, Fawke, Berner and Okeke headline a list of 27 student-athletes named to the 2013 MVC All-Conference teams, selected by the coaches, and announced by the league office Thursday. The all-conference teams will be recognized at an awards reception tonight in Peoria, Ill.

Missouri State, along with Drake and Bradley, the league’s top three finishers, combined to place 16 athletes on the all-conference squads. The Braves placed a combined six players on the all-conference teams, the most in the league. Missouri State and Drake had five players each on the all-conference teams, while SIUE added four honorees.

Wojcik ranks in the league’s top-five in shots (54, third), assists (13, second), points (19, second) and game-winning goals (2, T-fifth). His 13 total assists tied a single-season Bradley school record and currently rank second in the nation, while he also added three goals this season, including two game-winners. He is the Braves active leader in goals (11), assists (21) and career points (43). He is the second Bradley player to win the league’s Player of the Year honor, joining Joe Donoho (2007).

Fawke, a second-team selection a season ago, plays the lead role in one of the nation’s best defenses, commanding the back line on a Missouri State that allowed just seven goals this season – including just one in conference action. He is a major player in helping the Bears produce 10 shutouts in just 16 games this season. He is the third Missouri State player to win the conference’s Defensive Player of the Year honor, joining Mark Modersohn (1999) and Alex Riggs (2009).

Berner ranks second in the league with a 0.85 goals against average, tallying 38 saves on the season. He has helped the Cougars produce six shutouts, allowing just 16 goals on the season. Berner also won this award in 2012, becoming the first two-time winner of the league’s Goalkeeper of the Year honor.

The Valley’s Freshman of the Year also comes from Bradley, as the Braves rookie forward Christian Okeke earned this year’s honor. Okeke plays a lead role in one of the league’s best offenses, as he ranks second on his team in both goals scored and assists – knocking in six goals and three assists on the season – for a total of 15 points. His 51 shots are the most amongst all freshmen this season, while his 21 shots on goal rank second. Okeke is the fourth Bradley player to win the league’s honor for the top newcomer, joining the likes of Gavin Glinton (1998), Chris Dunsheath (2002) and Chris Cutshaw (2006). The award was a Newcomer of the Year award from 1991-95 and Freshman of the Year from 1996-present.

Missouri State’s coaching staff has earned the MVC’s Coaching Staff of the Year honor, the fifth coaching honor for the Bears, as Missouri State was also honored in 1995, 1997, 1999 and 2009. A mainstay on the Missouri State sidelines, head coach Jon Leamy is now in his 22nd season at the helm. He led the Bears to a 10-4-2 record this season, including a 5-1 MVC record, as the Bears clinched their fifth regular-season title in school history, the most of any active league team. Missouri State enters the tournament on the heels of a pretty impressive streak, as the Bears are unbeaten in seven of their last eight games, including six shutout victories and one scoreless draw. The seven consecutive shutout wins throughout that streak are a school record for the Bears. Jon Leamy is assisted by Michael Seabolt, Ger Coppinger and Gerard Barbero.

The Evansville Purple Aces tabbed the honor of the Valley’s Fair Play Award, which is structured after the FIFA Fair Play honor. It is awarded to the Valley squad that has the fewest penalty cards during all MVC matches, as the Purple Aces tallied just one yellow card in regular-season league action.

PLAYER OF THE YEAR:  Wojciech Wojcik
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR:  James Fawke, Missouri State
GOALKEEPER OF THE YEAR:  John Berner, SIUE
FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR:  Christian Okeke, Bradley
COACHING STAFF OF THE YEAR:  Missouri State (Jon Leamy, Michael Seabolt, Ger Coppinger and Gerard Barbero)
MVC FAIR PLAY AWARD:  Evansville