St. Francis (NY) freshman forward John Sallhag was named the 2007 Northeast Conference Men's Soccer Rookie of the Year, it was announced today by the Northeast Conference. Inaddition, teammate Semso Nikocevic earned First Team All NEC honors.
Sallhag wasted little time in becoming one of the most feared strikers on the circuit. The Vaxjo, Sweden product tallied nine goals, four assists and 22 points on the year to rank first among NEC freshman in all three categories. Overall, he stands third in the conference in points, fourth in goals and seventh in assists. A three-time Brine/NEC Rookie of the Week, Sallhag registered a hat trick in just his second career match, a 3-2 win at La Salle. He also erupted for five points with two goals and an assist against crosstown rival Long Island on October 20. Sallhag was the only NEC freshman to be voted all-conference, earning second team accolades. He is the fifth St. Francis (NY) player to be named NEC Rookie of the Year, joining Agard Radoncic (1998), Duncan Gladwin (1996), Ron Mitchell (1992) and Steve Mason (1991).
Dynamic senior midfielder Semso Nikocevic (Brooklyn, NY/Kingsborough CC) was selected to the First Team. Measuring just 5’5", Nikocevic was a creative force in the midfield this past season with four goals and an NEC-best six assists. He finished the season by scoring goals in three consecutive contests and is tied for ninth in the league with 14 points.
