DEKALB, Ill. -- Sophomore Luke Read (Ilford, England/Barking Abbey School) was named to the All-MAC Second Team and freshman Kevin Rodriguez (Pasadena, Texas/Deer Park) was named Freshman of the Year as the Mid-American Conference announced its postseason awards on Thursday.  

Rodriguez becomes NIU’s third MAC Freshman/Newcomer of the Year honoree all-time while Read is the first Huskie defender to win all-conference honors since 2011.

Read appeared in all 15 games for the Huskies at center back this season, making 14 starts. The Ilford, England, native tied for the team lead with five goals and 10 points, including three game-winning goals. Read netted game-winners against Florida Atlantic (Sept. 11), Stetson (Sept. 13) and Eastern Illinois (Sept. 29), while also scoring the 90th minute game-tying goal at Marquette (Sept. 18). Read was twice named to the Top Drawer Soccer National Team of the Week this season (Sept. 15 and Oct. 6) and was named co-MAC Player of the Week on Sept. 14.

“I am pleased to see that Luke got the recognition he deserved after such a great season,” said NIU head coach Eric Luzzi. “Luke is one of the toughest backs I have coached, he reads the game extremely well, and obviously he is a threat on set pieces. On top of that, he is one of the most consistent players I have ever worked with, which is maybe the rarest trait in players of college age. He had a great season for us and is fully deserving of a spot on our All-MAC team. I am excited to continue to have the chance to coach Luke for the next two years and continue to be a part of his development as a player.”

A dynamic attacking player who saw time on the wing, in the center of midfield and at striker, Rodriguez appeared in 13 contests as a rookie this season, including 11 starts. The Pasadena, Texas, native scored a pair of goals, finding the back of the net in a 3-2 win at Eastern Illinois (Sept. 29) and in a 1-1 draw against Buffalo (Oct. 24). Rodriguez is NIU’s first MAC Freshman/Newcomer of the Year honoree since Marcus McCarty was named Newcomer of the Year in 2006.

“It’s great to see Kevin get this kind of recognition as well,” said Luzzi. “He is one of the most dangerous attacking players that I have had a chance to coach. I know that he was the first name on most opponents’ scouting report of us because he is so dynamic and has the ability to do something special every time he is on the ball. We have had some very good attacking players in my time here at NIU, but to see that this is the first time an NIU player has earned the Freshman (or Newcomer) of the Year award in almost a decade is a real testament to the quality of players that we have in our conference, and a real honor for Kevin and our program.”

All-MAC First Team (11 Members)
Sam Gainford, Akron, F
Stuart Holthusen, Akron, F
Richie Laryea, Akron, M
Adam Najem, Akron, M
Brad Ruhaak, Akron, D
Andrew Souders, Akron, D
Russell Cicerone, Buffalo, M
Sean Conerty, Western Michigan, M
Connor Furgason, Western Michigan, D
Drew Shepherd, Western Michigan, GK
Nick Wysong, Western Michigan, M
 
All-MAC Second Team (11 Members)
Jake Fenlason, Akron, GK
Sean Sepe, Akron, F
Pat Flynn, Bowling Green, F
Ryan James, Bowling Green, M
Nick Forrester, Buffalo, D
Marcus Hanson, Buffalo, F
Luke Read, NIU, D
Ryan Cain, West Virginia, F
Joey Piatczyc, West Virginia, M
Zach Bock, Western Michigan, D
Brandon Bye, Western Michigan, F
 
Player of the Year
Russell Cicerone, Buffalo, M
 
Freshman of the Year
Kevin Rodriguez, Northern Illinois, M
 
Gary V. Palmisano Coach of the Year
Chad Wiseman, Western Michigan