MELBOURNE, Fla. – Freshman standout Fabian Hilpert has made a lasting mark on the men's soccer program. The Hague, Netherlands native made program history on Thursday becoming the first Eagle to be named Sunshine State Conference Freshman of the Year. Additionally, Hilpert's stellar performance throughout the season earned him a spot on the 2024 All-Sunshine State Conference Second Team.

Hilpert's breakthrough season included exceptional play on the field that quickly turned heads across the conference. The Dutch forward started in 14 games and logged nearly 1,000 minutes of action, marking himself as one of the most consistent players on the team. 

Hilpert's journey to earning Freshman of the Year honors began with a bang, as he scored the first hat trick for the Eagles in a decade, a moment that set the tone for the rest of his remarkable season. Over the course of the year, Hilpert found the back of the net in seven different games, showcasing his ability. His standout stats include leading the SSC with four game-winning goals, while also ranking in the top three in several other categories: total goals (9), shots on goal (21), shots on goal per game (1.40), goals per game (0.60), and total points (20).