CLEVELAND – Junior Nick Markanich (Bourbonnais, Ill./Bradley-Bourbonnais) has been named the Mid-American Conference Men's Soccer Player of the Year as the conference office announced its postseason awards on Thursday (April 22). Freshman Harry Jolley (Liverpool, England) claimed MAC Freshman of the Year honors while junior Anthony Markanich (Bourbonnais, Ill./Bradley-Bourbonnais) was named to the All-MAC First Team. 

Nick Markanich joins Eirik Frederiksen (1997) as the only MAC Player of the Year honorees in NIU men's soccer history. 

"Nick has grown every year that he has been here," said NIU head coach Ryan Swan. "We see him getting better all the time, he steps up in big games and we saw him step into more of a leadership role this year. I'm delighted for him, to get Freshman of the Year a couple years ago and now get Player of the Year as a junior, hopefully he can push on from this and I fully expect him to keep building."

A First Team All-MAC honoree for the second consecutive year, Nick Markanich scored nine goals during the 2021 spring season, most in the MAC and tied for eighth-best nationally. Among the junior forward's nine goals were game winners against Akron (March 14) and SIU Edwardsville (March 31), he also had three multi-goal games this season. 

Nick Markanich is the first Huskie to lead the conference in goals since Marcus McCarty tallied 11 to lead the MAC in 2006. In addition to his nine goals, he also tallied 20 total points, tops in the MAC and tied for 12th in the country. 



Jolley becomes the third Huskie to earn MAC Freshman of the Year honors in the last six seasons, joining Kevin Rodriguez in 2015 and Nick Markanich in 2018. The rookie center back started 13 games during his first season of college soccer, playing the full 90 minutes in 10 of those contests. A team captain, Jolley tallied his first career point with an assist in a 3-2 victory over Western Michigan on March 7. 

"I'm so happy for Harry," said Swan. "Center backs don't always get recognized as much, but I think Harry and Adrian Lara were outstanding for us this year. You noticed it on the field, but for us, we saw it in training and the players saw it, Harry truly came in and made a difference with his communication and work ethic. It is fantastic for Harry, and the program, to get this recognition."



Anthony Markanich earned All-MAC honors for the third consecutive season, collecting first team recognition for the second-straight year. The junior left back finished the season tied for second on the team in goals with three and third in points with nine. Among his three goals was a 90th minute game-tying goal against DePaul (Feb. 17) as well as NIU's final goal to seal a 3-1 victory at Akron (April 4). Anthony Markanich is NIU's first three-time All-MAC honoree since Isaac Kannah (2011, 13-14). 

"Everyone recognizes the talent that Anthony has," said Swan. "Other coaches talk to us about him, he is on everyone's scouting report. His athleticism is fantastic, and he has the attacking ability to score and get assists. He is one of those players that stands out on the field every game and he is well deserving of this honor."


2021 MAC Player of the Year
Nick Markanich, NIU

2021 MAC Freshman of the Year
Harry Jolley, NIU

2021 Gary V. Palmisano Coach of the Year
Eric Nichols, Bowling Green
 
First Team All-MAC
Diogo Pacheco, Akron
Achille Robin, Bowling Green
Jacob Erlandson, Bowling Green
Chris Sullivan, Bowling Green
Nick Markanich, NIU
Anthony Markanich, NIU
Mike Melaragni, Western Michigan
Daniel Nimick, Western Michigan 
Steven Tekesky, West Virginia 
Luke McCormick, West Virginia
Ike Swiger, West Virginia

Second Team All-MAC
Daniel Strachan, Akron 
Carlo Ritaccio, Akron
Will Jackson, Akron 
Colin Biros, Akron 
Nathan Masters, Bowling Green
Logan Kowalczyk, Bowling Green 
Zach Buescher, Bowling Green
Pepe Martinez-Bertrand, Western Michigan
Brennan Creek, Western Michigan 
Pau Jumenez Albelda, West Virginia
Kevin Morris, West Virginia