The Georgia Gwinnett College men's soccer team had a history-making 2017 season, advancing to the quarterfinal round of its first appearance at the NAIA national championship final site, ranking No. 8 in the final national poll, and having several players honored for their performances on the field and in the classroom.

A 3-2 home opening-round triumph against Southern Oregon University was the Grizzlies' first NAIA postseason tournament victory. That was followed by a 2-1 victory against Vanguard University (Calif.) in the second round of the national tournament at Delray Beach, Fla.

GGC finished the 2017 season with a 13-4-2 record, including a 3-1-2 mark against fellow NAIA Top-25 opponents. An early-season statement was made with a 1-0 victory at No. 15 Union College (Ky.) in late August. Then, an impressive 2-1 win came against No. 9 Lindsey Wilson College and there was the postseason victory against No. 10 Vanguard. Draws were registered against No. 9 University of Mobile and No. 22 Cumberland University.

GRIZZLIES REACH NO. 5 NATIONAL RANKING

GGC achieved a new program high with a No. 5 national ranking in mid-October following the team's 2-1 victory against No. 9 Lindsey Wilson College. The Grizzlies were ranked in the Top 10 in each of the final eight regular-season polls, and a Top-25 ranking throughout the entire season. The NAIA poll is a vote among a nationwide panel of coaches.

GURR AND WEBER EARN NAIA ALL-AMERICAN HONOR

Senior Jack Gurr and freshman Michael Weber were named NAIA honorable mention All-Americans. It marks the second consecutive season that a pair of student-athletes have garnered such national postseason recognition. Gurr, a midfielder, led the Grizzlies with seven assists and ranked third with 15 points. Weber scored three game-winning goals and led GGC with seven goals and 18 points.

ACADEMIC ALL-AMERICAN

Senior forward Samuel Sampaio Gomes earned first team Academic All-America honors, selected by members of the College Sports Information Directors of America. The business major became the first men's soccer player to be recognized by the organization. A student-athlete much have a 3.3 or higher cumulative grade point average after the second year at their college or university and have competed in at least 50 percent in the games.

DAKTRONICS-NAIA SCHOLAR-ATHLETES

Four players were named Daktronics-NAIA Scholar-Athletes: Seniors Samuel Sampaio Gomes and Aedan Radvanyi along with juniors Junior Ametepe and Riley Wildeman. A student-athlete must maintain a minimum grade point average of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale, pass academic eligibility in soccer and have attended at least two full years as an undergraduate student.

A.I.I. ALL-CONFERENCE AWARDS

GGC garnered three of the four Association of Independent Institutions awards following the 2017 regular season. Head Coach Steve DeCou earned the A.I.I. Coach of the Year honor. Meanwhile, freshman Matija Gligorovic was named the A.I.I. Goalkeeper of the Year and classmate Michael Weber received the A.I.I. Newcomer of the Year award.

Five players earned first team All-A.I.I. recognition, while a total of eight players received postseason all-conference accolades.

INSIDE THE GRIZZLIES

• Freshman Michael Weber led the team with seven goals and 18 points. He has played for Switzerland's national team from Under 15 to Under 19 age levels.
• Three other players scored 10 or more points during the 2017 season: Samuel Sampaio Gomes, 16 points (six goals; four assists); Jack Gurr, 15 points (four goals; seven assists); Krishna Clarke, 10 points (four goals; two assists)
• Five different players accounted for goals in GGC's NAIA tournament matches. Freshman Michael Weber had the game-winning goal in the 3-2 victory against Southern Oregon University, following first-half goals by senior Samuel Sampaio Gomes and junior Andrew White. Then, freshman Toni Tiente and senior Ellis Husband found the back of the net in the 2-1 victory against Vanguard University.
• Freshman Krishna Clarke scored three game-winning goals – out of four tallies for the season.
• The following GGC players rank in the program's record book:

Ellis Husband – Tied for second in matches (74), two shy of tying for first

Jack Gurr – First in assists (22); Second in shots (142), one shy of tying for first; Fourth in matches (71), two shy of tying for second; Fifth in points (50), five shy of tying for fourth

Samuel Sampaio Gomes – Third in goals (25), one shy of tying for second; Third in points (63), two shy of tying for second; fifth in matches (69)

Matija Gligorovic – Second in wins (12); second in shutouts (5)

MORE SUCCESS FOR COACH DECOU

Head Coach Steve DeCou completed his sixth season leading the Grizzlies, and has compiled a 78-24-12 record in Lawrenceville. He has guided the program to three Association of Independent Institutions tournament titles. DeCou was named the 2017 A.I.I. Coach of the Year. Overall, he has posted a 199-116-27 career record in 18 seasons.

GGC TEAMS FIND SUCCESS ON PITCH

Georgia Gwinnett College was among a dozen NAIA colleges to have both their men's and women's soccer teams qualify for this year's national tournament. Other NAIA colleges with both men's and women's teams in the soccer national tournament were Columbia (Mo.), Hastings (Neb.), Keiser (Fla.), Lindsey Wilson (Ky.), Northwestern Ohio, Oklahoma Wesleyan, Olivet Nazarene (Ill.), Vanguard (Calif.), Westmont (Calif.), William Carey (Miss.) and William Woods (Mo.).