DePaul University Athletics
Vroom, Aguilar Earn BIG EAST Accolades
11/13/2009 12:00:00 AM | MEN'S SOCCER
MORGANTOWN, W. Va. - In what has been an award-winning season, Steffen Vroom saved his best for last.
On Thursday night at the BIG EAST men's soccer awards banquet, Vroom was honored as an All-BIG EAST First Team selection.
The senior forward becomes the first Blue Demon field player to earn such a distinction. In 2007, Brian Visser was chosen as the conference's Goalkeeper of the Year and also First-Team All-BIG EAST.
In addition, DePaul freshman Antonio Aguilar was named to the BIG EAST All-Rookie Team.
"This is definitely a nice way to finish up my career," Vroom said. "When I first heard about it, I felt very honored. It's a big accomplishment, and I'm happy to have had such a successful season in my last year.
"When I came here, I put in a lot of work to become the best player I could. There was an excellent coaching staff and a lot of quality players along the way who helped with my development and contributed into making me the player that I am today. I'm really grateful for all they did."
Vroom led DePaul in points this season with 20 and tied with Alex Mangan for the most goals with eight. He finished among the BIG EAST leaders in points and goals, and came through with three game-winning goals for the Blue Demons.
Vroom's best performances came in the week of Sept. 7-13 when he scored the first goal in consecutive victories over then-No. 9 Northwestern (2-1), then-No. 8 UC Irvine (3-2) and Buffalo (5-1).
His offensive outburst earned him BIG EAST Offensive Player of the Week honors along with being named National Player of the Week by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America and Soccer America. Vroom's exploits against UC Irvine and Buffalo in the Marquette Invitational brought him the Most Valuable Player award.
Vroom was BIG EAST Offensive Player of the Week again on Oct. 12 after scoring the game-winning goals in victories over Cincinnati and Rutgers.
"Steffen overcame a lot of challenges and had an outstanding senior season and an outstanding career," said DePaul coach Craig Blazer. "It was a goal of his to one day become All-BIG EAST First Team.
"Everyone in our program is really proud of him. It shows the quality of DePaul soccer and the direction the program is headed."
Aguilar had an immediate impact on the Blue Demons, finishing third in points with 10 and in goals with three. He singlehandedly rescued DePaul from a 1-0 deficit to Marquette on Sept. 20 at Wish Field with a goal in the 84th minute to force overtime, and the golden goal in the 108th minute for a rousing 2-1 victory.
Two days later, Aguilar was honored as BIG EAST Rookie of the Week.
"Antonio has outstanding talent, and as he continues to develop his game, he is going to be such an exciting player to watch," Blazer said. "Steffen has left his mark on the program, and I'm looking forward to watching Antonio develop in the next three years."