BETHLEHEM, Pa - Senior goalkeeper
Alex Sutton was selected Preseason Goalkeeper of the Year and named to the Preseason All-Patriot League team, announced by the league office Wednesday morning. Joining him on the Preseason All-Patriot League team are fellow seniors, defender
Nick Hazel and midfielder
Yiannis Panayides.
In 2021, Sutton recorded four shutouts and a 1.08 goals against average. The Science and Engineering major was also named Patriot League Goalkeeper of the Week on Sept. 27. The New York, N.Y. native has appeared in 57 games for the Leopards.
An All-Patriot League Third-Team selection in 2021, Hazel will join Sutton in anchoring the defensive in their final seasons. The Economics major was one of the 44 Division I men's soccer players to be named to the 2021 Division I Men's Hermann Trophy Watch List. Adding to his list of accolades, Hazel was a United Soccer Coaches NCAA Division I Men's All-Atlantic Region First-Team selection, was named to the United Soccer Coaches All-America Third Team, and a College Soccer News Third Team All-American selection following the 2021 spring season.
Hailing from Larnaca, Cyprus, Panayides was named a Third Team All-Patriot League selection in 2021. He recorded two goals, including one game-winner, and totaled 29 shots with 11 on goal. Panayides was also named the Patriot League Midfielder of the Week on Sept. 27. The International Affairs and Government and Law major has appeared in 39 total games for the Leopards through two seasons.
The Leopards were selected to finish seventh in the Patriot League this fall.
Lafayette is set to open the 2022 season Aug. 25 at home against Fairleigh Dickinson University at 7 p.m.