CORVALLIS, Ore. – Eastern Oregon University men's soccer dominated the Cascade Collegiate Conference postseason awards, headlined by CCC McDonald's Coach of the Year Jessy Watson, Defensive Player of the Year Jacob Russell, and Goalkeeper of the Year Anthony Lemus, presented by UEN.

The Mountaineers went undefeated through the regular season to capture their first-ever CCC regular-season championship, earning the conference's No. 1 seed and an automatic bid to the NAIA National Tournament. EOU closed the regular season with a 13-0-4 overall record and a 10-0-2 mark in conference play.

Watson, now in his sixth year at the helm, guided the Mounties to their most successful campaign in program history. Under his leadership, Eastern remained unbeaten through 17 matches and was named the CCC Under Armour Team of the Week after clinching the regular-season title last weekend.

Russell, a sophomore defender and team captain from Yakima, Washington, earned Defensive Player of the Year honors after anchoring a backline that recorded seven shutouts and allowed a program-record low 48 shots on goal. The only Mountaineer to start and play in all 17 contests, Russell logged over 1,400 minutes and was previously recognized as the CCC Player of the Week following EOU's home-opening conference weekend.

Lemus, a senior keeper from Beaverton, Oregon, was named Goalkeeper of the Year after a stellar season between the posts. He ranked third in the CCC in fewest goals allowed (8) and fourth in save percentage (.778), totaling 28 saves and seven clean sheets. Lemus delivered clutch performances throughout the season, including a seven-save effort versus Warner Pacific and key stops against top conference foes to preserve the Mounties' unbeaten run.

Graduate forward Marcos Bravo (Wenatchee, Wash.) joined Lemus on the All-CCC First Team after leading Eastern and ranking fifth in the conference with 10 goals and 20 points. Bravo tallied three game-winners, including the decisive strike in a 3-2 road victory over Carroll, and scored in nine of his 15 appearances.

The All-CCC Second Team featured five more Mountaineers: senior midfielders Daniel Kropf (Güímar, Tenerife, Spain) and Pablo Cardenas-Sanchez (Bakersfield, Calif.), junior midfielder Henry Lopez (Van Nuys, Calif.), sophomore defender Jacob Russell, and senior defender Rene Prieto (Reedley, Calif.).

Kropf, a team captain, earned his third career All-Conference nod after posting four goals and three assists for 11 points while maintaining a .500 shots-on-goal percentage. Cardenas-Sanchez, also a captain, added two goals—including a game-winner—as the duo provided steady leadership in the midfield.

Lopez made an immediate impact in his debut season with EOU, leading the team with seven assists (tied for third in the CCC) and adding three goals for 13 points. He was named CCC Player of the Week on October 20 after netting the critical game-winner against Southern Oregon.

Prieto earned Second Team All-CCC honors for the second straight year, continuing to be a reliable and physical presence on the backline. The senior scored on his lone shot attempt of the season while helping the Mountie defense remain one of the best in the conference.

Rounding out the awards, junior midfielder JJ Gallardo (North Hollywood, Calif.) received Honorable Mention recognition in his first season with EOU after tallying three goals and an assist with a .545 shots-on-goal percentage.

Eastern Oregon now turns its focus to the CCC Championships, where the top-seeded Mountaineers will face Bushnell in the quarterfinals on Saturday, November 8.