Nor'easters forward, PDL scoring champion, Chevaughn Walsh named to All-League team

PDL MVP finalist led the league in scoring with 14 goals

Nor'easters forward, PDL scoring champion, Chevaughn Walsh named to All-League team

Ocean City Nor’easters forward Chevaughn “Chevy” Walsh (Jefferson / Spanish Town, Jamaica) has been named to the 2016 All-PDL team for his fantastic campaign. The Jamaican forward was a strong force in the attack, scoring 14 goals in 14 games which broke the Ocean City single-season record, as well as tying the record for points in a season with 31.

The All-PDL team is made up of the best eleven players among the 67 teams in the league. The team is based on the regular season performances.

Walsh, who is a finalist for the league's most valuable player award, becomes the first Ocean City player to be named to the All-PDL team since 2005 (John Thompson). He is just the fourth player in club history to earn the honor (Neil Holloway, Ruben Mingo, Neil Holloway).

The 21-year-old is likely to get a lot of attention from pro scouts as he finished ranked No. 2 on the PDL's Top Prospects list.

The winner of the PDL MVP will be announced on Friday.

Walsh, who stands at 6-foot-3, 175 pounds, has gotten used to scoring goals no matter where he plays. In his last college season at Jefferson College (MO), Walsh scored 25 goals in 20 games while also contributing 14 assists. He continued his fine form straight into the PDL season with the Nor’easters as he helped the club win the 2016 Eastern Conference championship and earn a spot in the PDL Semifinals.

Over the course of the regular season, Walsh didn't miss a single game and tore apart the defense of several teams. One in particular had a forgettable season against him to say the least. Walsh became the first player in Ocean City history to score multiple hat tricks in a season when he scored three goals on two separate occasions on the road against Evergreen FC on May 28 and on June 21.

However, he didn't do all his damage against Evergreen FC. He opened his account on May 22 in a 3-0 road win over the Baltimore Bohemians, but most of his damage came down the stretch when it mattered most. Walsh scored 10 goals and dished out two assists during the final seven games of the campaign. The Nor'easters won five of those matches, including a 3-2 defeat of the Bohemians on the final day of the season to clinch a spot in the PDL playoffs.

Walsh broke several of Ruben Mingo’s club records this season and is also hoping to match his success in 2004 of becoming the Premier Development League’s Most Valuable Player.  League awards will be announced on Friday.

PLAYER PROFILE: Chevy Walsh's history-making breakout season for Nor'easters

2016 PDL All-League Team

GK – Ryan Cretens, Carolina Dynamo: UNC Wilmington’s Cretens earned five shutouts in a difficult South Atlantic Division. The 20-year-old netminder made 32 saves and recorded a 0.35 goals against average in nine appearances for the Dynamo during the 2016 season.

D – Alhassan Abubakar, Michigan Bucks: The University of Dayton’s Abubakar is ranked fourth in the fifth edition of the 2016 PDL Top Prospects list, and he dominated the Great Lakes Division in 2016. The 21-year-old center back played in 12 games, helping the Bucks record nine shutouts en route to a division title.

D – Marquez Fernandez, Baltimore Bohemians: Fernandez was key for the Bohemians in 2016, playing in all 14 games for the club. Scoring one goal during the campaign, the 23-year-old defender led the Bohemians' back line to six shutouts in the regular season.

D – Josh Taylor, OKC Energy U23: Taylor is ranked sixth in the fifth edition of the PDL Top Prospects list. The St. Edward's University defender shined in the 14 games he played in for the Energy U23 during the 2016 campaign. The 21-year-old scored three goals and provided two assists while also helping the Energy U23 concede only 15 goals during the regular season.

D – Tom Owens, Michigan Bucks: Owens joins teammate Abubakar in the All-League Team after starting 11 games for the Bucks during the 2016 regular season. The 24-year-old defender provided two assists during the year, while also helping the Bucks secure eight shutouts en route to a Great Lakes title.

M – Arun Basuljevic, New York Red Bulls U23: Basuljevic is ranked 13th in the fifth edition of the PDL Top Prospects list, and the Georgetown University talent appeared in all 14 games for the Red Bulls U23 in the 2016 regular season. The dynamic midfielder scored eight goals and provided five assists during the season, leading the Red Bulls U23 in both statistics.

M – Lucas Coutinho, South Florida Surf: Palm Beach Atlantic University’s Coutinho, who will turn 23 on Aug. 12, was the driving force behind the Surf’s run to a 2016 PDL Playoffs berth. Coutinho made 13 appearances in the Southeast Division, and he led the Surf in assists with five during the season. The creative midfielder also scored three goals.

M – Noah Keats, OKC Energy U23: Keats scored a Southern Conference-high 13 goals during the 2016 regular season. The 24-year-old midfielder also provided three assists in his 14 appearances for the Energy U23, leading the club to a Mid South Division title.

F – Christian Chaney, Fresno Fuego: Chaney took the Central Pacific Division by storm. The 22-year-old forward is ranked first in the latest PDL Top Prospects list, playing in 12 games during the 2016 regular season. He scored a Western Conference-high 13 goals, and he also provided one assist while leading the Fuego to a division title.

F – Dominic Russo, Calgary Foothills FC: The University of Calgary’s Russo, who is ranked 25th in the latest PDL Top Prospects list, led Foothills FC to its first Northwest Division in club history. The 21-year-old forward scored a team-high six goals and provided one assist in 11 games during the 2016 regular-season campaign.

F – Chevaughn Walsh, Ocean City Nor’easters: Walsh, formerly of Jefferson College, is ranked second in the fifth edition of the PDL Top Prospects list. The 21-year-old led the PDL in goals scored with 14, and he also provided three assists during the Nor’easters’ run to a 2016 PDL Playoffs berth.

--------------

For more information on the Ocean City Nor'easters or to "Follow the Storm" on social media, go to www.oceancityfc.com/followthestorm or text "FOLLOWTHESTORM" to 22828 to join the "Storm Watch" e-newsletter.

The Ocean City Nor’easters is a professionally run amateur soccer club with the focus of developing, educating and promoting soccer, health and leadership. Located in Ocean City, New Jersey, “America’s Greatest Family Resort”, the Nor’easters provide quality entertainment to families throughout the Tri-State area and the thousands of visitors every summer.

The Nor’easters organization was established in 1996 and made Carey Stadium, in Ocean City, NJ, its permanent home in 2005. Competing in North America’s top amateur league, the Premier Development League (PDL), the Nor’easters provide the highest level of soccer in Southern New Jersey. The 65-team PDL is the 4th level of soccer in the United States, below the professional leagues; Major League Soccer (MLS), North American Soccer League (NASL) and United Soccer League (USL). As part of the PDL, the Nor’easters’ have the sixth-best overall record since joining the league in 2003 and have upset five professional teams in the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup, third-most of any amateur team in the country. Ocean City players have the ability to compete during the summer months in a professional environment while maintaining their collegiate eligibility and pursuing their academic goals.

 

Store Banner

Store Banner