Buffalo Men's Soccer's Russell Cicerone named MAC Player of the Year; Hanson, Forrester All-MAC

If there was any doubt as the season waned that Russell Cicerone was destined for MAC Player of the Year honors, it evaporated with the junior's scintillating game winner against Bowling Green that propelled UB to the MAC semifinal for the first time since 2011.

Cicerone's coronation came today with the announcement of this year's All-MAC teams. He's just the second Bull to win the award after leading the conference in goals (11) and points (30), and finishing second in assists (8). In Buffalo history, he's the first since Steve Butcher - UB's last Player of the Year - in 1999 to hit 30 points, and he's the first Bull ever to thrice earn First Team All-MAC honors.

Joining Russ in All-MAC recognition were sophomore Nick Forrester and senior Marcus Hanson. Forrester joined the Bulls this season from Butler and stepped into a defense that finished second in the conference in GAA, while Hanson had a career-best season with two goals and five assists, including the equalizer against Bowling Green moments before Cicerone's winner.

Three Bulls on the All-MAC team is a program high dating back to 2008, when UB placed six among the honorees.

Buffalo begins the postseason tomorrow in the conference semifinal against Western Michigan. The two teams met in the regular season finale, with the Broncos winning 1-0.

You can see all of the All-MAC, FOTY, and COTY award winners below:

All-MAC First Team

Sam Gainford, Akron, F
Stuart Holthusen, Akron, F
Richie Laryea, Akron, M
Adam Najem, Akron, M
Brad Ruhaak, Akron, D
Andrew Souders, Akron, D
Russell Cicerone, Buffalo, M
Sean Conerty, Western Michigan, M
Connor Furgason, Western Michigan, D
Drew Shepherd, Western Michigan, GK
Nick Wysong, Western Michigan, M

All-MAC Second Team

Jake Fenlason, Akron, GK
Sean Sepe, Akron, F
Pat Flynn, Bowling Green, F
Ryan James, Bowling Green, M
Nick Forrester, Buffalo, D
Marcus Hanson, Buffalo, F
Luke Read, Northern Illinois, D
Ryan Cain, West Virginia, F
Joey Piatczyc, West Virginia, M
Zach Bock, Western Michigan, D
Brandon Bye, Western Michigan, F

Player of the Year

Russell Cicerone, Buffalo, M

Freshman of the Year

Kevin Rodriguez, Northern Illinois, M

Coach of the Year

Chad Wiseman, Western Michigan

UB is back in action as the #3 seed for the MAC Tournament against #2 Western Michigan on Friday at 4 PM. If UB wins, they will face the winner of #1 Akron and #4 West Virginia for the Mid-American Conference Championship on Sunday at 1:00 PM