COLONIA, N.J. – Tuesday marked another historic day for the Queens College men's soccer program. As voted on by the league's head coaches, a program-record nine Knights earned All-East Coast Conference (ECC) honors, while the team captured four of the five major ECC awards, highlighting a record-setting season for the program.
Under eighth-year head coach
Frank Vertullo, Queens set a new program record with nine All-ECC honorees, including a conference-leading six First Team selections, two Second Team selections, and one Third Team honoree.
For the first time in program history, the Knights swept four of the five major ECC awards in a single season.
- Redshirt-junior defender Tommy Wagner (East Northport, N.Y.) -Defensive Player of the Year
- Redshirt-sophomore goalkeeper Thanasis Shehadeh (Nicosia, Cyprus) - Goalkeeper of the Year
- Rookie forward Bradyn Brown (Lindenhurst, N.Y.) - Rookie of the Year (unanimous)
- Frank Vertullo - Coach of the Year
For the second consecutive year and the third time in four seasons, Vertullo was voted ECC Coach of the Year by his peers. Under his leadership, the Knights finished the regular season with a 12-3-3 overall record and a 6-0-2 ECC mark, earning their second straight ECC Regular Season title and the No. 1 seed for the postseason tournament.
Queens became the first team since Mercy University (2018–19) to capture back-to-back ECC Regular Season titles. Vertullo's Knights are just the third program since 2007 to finish consecutive conference seasons undefeated, joining LIU Post (2016–17) and Dowling College (2007–08).
This season also marks the first time under Vertullo's leadership that Queens has captured three major individual ECC awards in a single year, underscoring the program's sustained excellence and growth within the conference.
Defensive Player of the Year – Redshirt-Junior Defender Tommy Wagner (East Northport, N.Y.)
For the first time since 2015, and the third time in program history, a Knight has earned ECC Defensive Player of the Year honors.
Wagner started 17 matches, totaling 1,413 minutes, and played the full 90 in 11 of them. He scored once, netting the decisive goal in a 3–2 comeback win over Mercy on September 27, while helping the Knights record five clean sheets.
In addition to the top defensive honor, Wagner was named to the All-ECC First Team.
Goalkeeper of the Year - Redshirt-Sophomore Goalie Thanasis Shehadeh (Nicosia, Cyprus)
For the second consecutive season, Shehadeh claimed ECC Goalkeeper of the Year honors, becoming the first goalkeeper in program history to win the award multiple times and earn back-to-back First Team selections.
Starting all 18 matches, the redshirt sophomore posted five shutouts, 60 saves, and a 0.85 goals-against average, allowing only 15 goals. He also contributed two assists from the back line.
Shehadeh ranked first in the ECC in minutes played, goals-against average, and shutouts, and second in save percentage.
Rookie of the Year - Rookie Forward Bradyn Brown (Lindenhurst, N.Y.)
For the first time since 2009, a Queens College men's soccer player has been named ECC Rookie of the Year, with Brown earning the distinction last achieved by Danny Stoker.
Brown appeared in all 18 matches, making 10 starts, and led the team with 28 total points on 12 goals and four assists, including three game-winning goals. His 12 goals and 28 points both set new program rookie records.
He also became the first freshman in program history to earn All-ECC First Team honors. Nationally, Brown ranks fifth in total goals and sixth in total points.
First Team All-ECC Selections
Junior Forward Miguel Soto Gonzalez (Madrid, Spain)
Following an All-ECC Second Team honors in 2024, Soto Gonzalez elevated his play with six goals and a team-high 12 assists for 24 total points in 18 starts. His 12 assists rank second nationally, while his 24 points are tied for eighth in the nation. In the Queens record book, his assists rank second all-time and total points fourth in a single season.
Senior Midfielder Kevin Johnson (Oakdale, N.Y.)
Johnson earned All-ECC honors for the third straight year, including back-to-back First Team selections. The senior midfielder started 17 matches, totaling 1,329 minutes, and scored once, the game-winner in the victory over St. Thomas Aquinas on October 11. As a central midfielder, he played a key role in helping the Knights post five shutouts.
Junior Midfielder Andrew Johnson (Oakdale, N.Y.)
Recording career highs of six goals and 12 points, Johnson earned his first career First Team selection. He appeared in 17 matches (nine starts), scoring a pivotal equalizer in the 55th minute against Roberts Wesleyan to spark a 4–1 comeback win that clinched the regular season title.
Second Team All-ECC Selections
Senior Forward Harry Cooke (Market Drayton, England)
For the third straight season, Cooke earned All-ECC recognition. The senior forward started 14 matches, tallying eight goals and two assists for 18 points, including three game-winners. In the All-Time program record book, he ranks first in points, goals, and game-winners, and fifth in assists.
Graduate Defender Cillian Heaney (Westport, Ireland)
In his first season as a Knight, Heaney started 16 matches, logging 1,298 minutes on the back line. He added three assists and helped anchor a defense that produced five shutouts en route to Queens' second consecutive regular season title.
Third Team All-ECC Selection
Rookie Defender Carlos Villa (Medellin, Colombia)
Making an immediate impact as a freshman, Villa started all 18 matches and logged 1,204 minutes on defense. He scored his first career (and game-winning) goal in his debut and finished with one goal and four assists for six total points. Villa was instrumental in a back line that recorded five shutouts and powered the Knights to the No. 1 seed in the ECC Tournament.
NEXT MATCH
Head coach
Frank Vertullo and the Knights enter the ECC tournament as Regular Season Champions and the #1 seed! More details on game times and matchups will be coming soon.
For the latest news on Queens College Athletics, follow the Knights at queensknights.com or via social media on Facebook (Queens College Athletics), X (Formerly Twitter) (@QCKnights), and Instagram (qcknightsny), men's soccer (qcmsoccer).
