CLEVELAND -- Junior Alex Welch (Carmarthen, Wales/King's College Madrid) along with sophomores Anthony Markanich (Bourbonnais, Ill./Bradley-Bourbonnais) and Nick Markanich (Bourbonnais, Ill./Bradley-Bourbonnais) were named to the All-Mid-American Conference First Team, announced by the league office on Thursday (Nov. 14). Senior Jan Maertins (Rheinfelden, Germany/Marquette) claimed All-MAC Second Team recognition as the Huskies had their most all-conference honorees since the 2011 season. 

"It is great when your players get recognition and I think Alex, Nick, Anthony and Jan all had outstanding seasons," said NIU head coach Ryan Swan. "When you have guys performing at that level it is all the more disappointing that the season is over, but I am delighted for those guys. You always like to see as many as possible get that recognition, so the guys that missed out are a disappointment, but I think that is a reflection on our season, if we had gone a game or two more we probably would have had more on there.

"I am delighted to have three guys on the first team and one on the second team as well, it is good for the individuals and good for the program. Congratulations to our guys along with the other honorees from the conference."

Welch started 17 matches for NIU during the 2019 season, recording three goals and seven assists, the second-most assists in the MAC this season. Four of the central midfielders seven assists were recorded in conference contests. Welch scored two goals and recorded two assists in NIU's 4-2 victory over West Virginia on October 18, earning MAC Player of the Week honors. 

Anthony Markanich scored five goals and tallied five assists in 17 games during his sophomore campaign. The NIU left back's five goals were 10th-best in the MAC in 2019 while his five assists are tied for the fifth-most in the conference. Six of Anthony Markanich's 15 points came during NIU's five conference matches. This is the second consecutive season Anthony Markanich has earned All-MAC honors, last season he was named to the all-conference second team. 

Nick Markanich tied for sixth in the MAC with six goals and finished tied for eighth with 14 total points in 17 matches during the 2019 campaign. Three of Nick Markanich's six goals were game winners as he netted the decisive tally against Bradley (Sept. 15), Western Illinois (Sept. 28) and Eastern Illinois (Oct. 8). In 2018, Nick Markanich was named the MAC Freshman of the Year. 

Maertins scored seven goals, tied for second-most in the MAC, and recorded three assists for 17 total points while starting all 18 matches during his senior season. Three of his seven goals came in conference matches, with another coming in the MAC Quarterfinal against Bowling Green. An All-MAC Second Team honoree in 2018, Maertins was named Co-MAC Player of the Week and was named to the College Soccer News National Team of the Week after scoring twice against Western Michigan (Oct. 25). 

NIU's four All-MAC honorees represent the most for the program since the 2011 season when the Huskies had five all-conference players. The Huskies' three First Team All-MAC recipients ties the most by the program since joining the league in 1997, NIU also had three All-MAC First Team honorees in 2006 and 2011. 


First Team All-MAC
Carlo Ritaccio, Akron
David Egbo, Akron 
Colin Biros, Akron 
Achille Robin, Bowling Green
Anthony Mwembia, Bowling Green
Alex Welch, NIU 
Nick Markanich, NIU
Anthony Markanich, NIU
Jorge Gonzalez, SIUE
Charlie Sharp, Western Michigan
Brennan Creek Western Michigan
Sam Biek Western Michigan

Second Team All-MAC
Christian Lue Young, Akron
Will Jackson, Akron 
Daniel Strachan, Akron 
Chris Sullivan, Bowling Green 
Charlie Maciejewski, Bowling Green
Zach Buescher, Bowling Green
Chris Brennan, Bowling Green
Jan Maertins, NIU
Jacob Meier, SIUE
Anthony Bowie, Western Michigan
Issac Walker, Western Michigan
Sebastian Garcia-Herreros, West Virginia

2018 MAC Player of the Year
Jorge Gonzalez, SIUE

2018 MAC Freshman of the Year
Charlie Sharp, Western Michigan

Gary V. Palmisano Coach of the Year
Jared Embick, Akron