The America East Fan’s Choice Player of the Year for the 2008 men’s soccer season is Binghamton University goalkeeper Jason Stenta.
Stenta, who before recording another shutout in the America East semifinal game against Albany, was ranked No. 10 in the nation in goals against average with a minuscule 0.55 and fourth in the nation in save percentage with .893, truly deserves the honor. Binghamton head coach Paul Marco thinks it was a well-deserved award, but emphasized the importance of the fans who voted.
“He was a people’s choice,” Marco said. “It shows the great following our team has.”
The team does not get a following by losing, though, and their record can be related to the success of Stenta. He is Binghamton’s all-time leader in shutouts, including 11 this season. The award is one of appreciation of the people that have no hidden motive; Stenta won this award at a school that does not have the biggest population.
“It’s a great award,” Stenta said. “We don’t focus on awards; we want one thing, and that’s a title.”
Not only does Stenta sacrifice his body to make saves, but he’s also selfless in his reception of personal achievement. The only award he seems to want is the one that will be earned on the Boston University field tomorrow in the America East finals: the conference championship.
Stenta leads in the conference in three categories, including goals against average (.56), save percentage (.893) and shutouts (11).