DAYTONA BEACH, FL - On Wednesday, November 4th the Sunshine State Conference announced their individual awards and all-conference teams for the 2026 season. Embry-Riddle placed five athletes on the ALL-SSC Second Team, one on the ALL-SSC Third Team, and the Coaching Staff was named as best in the conference. Since joining the conference as a provisional member in 2015 and as a full-fledged member in 2017, only two Eagles players had been awarded all-conference honors, meaning the six honored this year is a new program record. 

SSC Coaching Staff of the Year 
Securing a 9-3-5 overall and 5-1-4 conference record Embry-Riddle far exceeded the out of program expectations for this season. Picked to finish 10th of 11 programs in the SSC Preseason Coaches' Poll, the Eagles finished the regular season in second place. Staying in contention for first place entering the final game of the regular season. Since elevating to the NCAA Division II level of play ERAU has faced its fair share of struggles, entering the year with a 27-89-17 (.267) overall and 9-62-9 (.169) conference record in such games. This award is a testament to the progress that has been building within the program, and a sign of where the direction of this team is heading in the future as it starts to find its footing. Prioritizing the student athlete, the team entered the season with a 3.74 average GPA which was good enough for best in the country at the DII level. Retaining 14 players from the 2025 squad, adding seven transfers, and four freshman to this years roster. The results of this season are attributed to the dedication of players and the coaching staff that retained, developed, and recruited athletes to fulfill the present needs of the programs. 

Head Coach David Gregson lead the program for his 33rd season, joining the Embry-Riddle Staff in 1994 as the University's second head coach. Since then, he has amassed 274 career wins and brought the program to a new total of 298 all-time wins. A 7-time Conference Coach of the Year and 5-time NAIA Regional Coach of the year. Has posted nine Sun Conference Regular Season Titles, three Sun Conference Tournament Titles, six NAIA Region XIV Titles, and appeared in the NAIA National Tournament nine times. Being named to the SSC Coaching Staff of the Year will mark his first Sunshine State Conference honor. 

Assistant Coach Thomas Chameraud concluded his fourth season with the program, joining in January 2023, after bringing nearly a decade of coaching experience to the University. Graduate Assistant Coach Tom Shepherd joined the staff this season following the conclusion of his four year playing career as a midfielder for the Eagles. Similarly, Graduate Assistant Coach Salvatore della Valle joined following the conclusion of his three year ERAU career as a goalkeeper. James Feeley and Andy Paterson also contributed to this years success in their first year serving as Volunteer Assistant Coaches.

ALL-SSC Second Team Awards 
Forward - Jonas Banouas 
Banouas, a transfer from Cal State East Bay University immediately made an impact on the program in his sophomore year starting all sixteen games played. His six goals tied the team season high for the squad, four of which were attributed as game winning goals. Those four game winning goals are good enough for sixth all time in a single season in program history and included in the win over then No. 1 Rollins (Sep. 9) and the first program win over Tampa (Oct. 3). Additionally, Banouas lead the team in shots (29) and shots on goal (19) with a shots on goal percentage of 0.655. 

Midfielder - Louis Dolcini 
Dolcini finished off his senior year and second year with the program starting 13 of the 14 games he played in. Tying for a team lead three assists, including the assist on an 86th minute goal against Lynn (Oct. 24) which forced a draw. His strong play in transition allowed for the team to move the ball in transition, while also providing security when dropping back into the defensive third. 

Defenders - Samuel Magda, Rimon Beyene 
Magda's junor year and second season with the program saw him start all 17 games played. His stout defense significantly contributed to what is a conference low 14 goals allowed on the season. Additionally, his contribution in set pieces throughout the season provided two goals and the placement of five of his 10 shots on goal. 

Beyene marked his first year with the Eagles as a graduate student transfer from Central Methodist University. Starting 15 of his 16 games played he immediately impacted the back defensive line for the Eagles. Similarly contributing to the conference low 14 goals allowed. Beyene also provided two assists one the season, including on the game winning goal over Tampa (Oct. 3) and on the Eagles posteason goal against Tampa (Nov. 2). 

Goalkeeper - Marcos da Silva 
da Silva concluded his senior year and second year of the program starting all 17 games and playing all 1530 minutes of the season in goal. His overall 0.94 goals allowed average, 0.792 save percentage, and 61 saves were all top of the conference for goalkeepers. His five shutouts were good enough for fifth all time in a season. Additionally, in ten games of conference play his 0.70 goals allowed average as 0.20 better than the rest of the conference, his 36 saves were second most, his save percentage of .837 was .08 points higher than the next closest in the league, his four shutouts were also tied for the most. 

ALL-SSC Third Team Award 
Midfielder - Lukas Bludau
Bludau finishes off his Sophomore year starting 16 of his 17 games played. His six goals tied for the team season high and his one assist made him the squads leading point scorer with 13. He recorded two game winning goals and also was credited with the game winning goal against Georgia Southwestern (Aug. 29).