Hernandez Takes Home First IIAC MVP Men’s Soccer History
Nov 11, 2015
Official IIAC release
DUBUQUE, Iowa – Junior forward Gonzalo Hernandez Cascante scored 13 goals and dished out nine assists in one of the greatest seasons in University of Dubuque men’s soccer history to capture the Iowa Conference MVP award. Danny Daniels, Riley Jensen, Jake Fahrenkrug, and Leo Lenth were also honored.
Hernandez scored in 11 of his 19 starts to lead the Spartans to a 12-6-1, 5-2 Iowa Conference record and a trip to their first Iowa Conference tournament title game in school history. The Spartans earned their highest win total since 2011 and their highest NSCAA regional ranking of 7th.
First Team
Gonzalo Hernandez Cascante, a 2014 Iowa Conference First team honoree and 2015 CoSIDA Academic All-District selection, led the IIAC in four-major categories over the course of the season: goals (13), assists (9), points (35), and game-winners (5). The speedy and lengthy Hernandez scored three of his game-winners in one-goal victories over Illinois Wesleyan, Hamline University, and Simpson. With one season remaining, the Madrid, Spain native is currently Top-5 in UD career history in assists, points, shots, and game-winners.
The junior was twice named Iowa Conference Men’s Soccer Offensive Player of the Week and notched his first career hat trick in a 3-0 victory over Elmhurst on September 22.
Hernandez majors in business.
Danny Daniels, a sophomore defender, earned his first IIAC distinction after starting all 19 games for UD. The East Bethel, Minn. native scored his second career goal during 2-0 win over Wartburg on September 26 and distributed his first career assist in 3-0 victory over Coe on October 24. Daniels and the Spartan defense held opponents to 21 goals in 19 games this season, a 1.11 goals allowed average that ranked third in the IIAC.
Daniels majors in Sport Marketing & Management.
Second Team
Riley Jensen, a 2014 First Team All-IIAC selection, finished with a goals against average of 1.02 with 74 saves in 19 games and 1493 minutes in goal. The senior used his lanky build to make some daring saves throughout the season to accumulate five shutouts, including three in a row, from September 22 to September 30. Jensen led the IIAC with 3 shutouts during IIAC play. The two-time IIAC All-Academic selection saved his best for last after grabbing a season-high eight saves in 1-0 loss in Iowa Conference tournament title game.
Jensen majors in Criminal Justice.
Jake Fahrenkrug received his first All-IIAC honor in his final year in the blue and white. The senior notched his second career assist in a 3-2 victory over Hamline on September 4 and helped the Spartan defense shut out opponents seven times this season. UD’s 1.11 goals allowed average ranked third in the Iowa Conference. Fahrenkrug attempted six shots, two on goal, and finished his career with one goal and two assists.
Fahrenkrug majors in Sport Marketing & Management.
Leo Lenth, the speedy forward from Stillman Valley, Ill., scored five goals and handed out one assist in garnering his first IIAC honor. The sophomore scored UD’s only goal in a 1-0 victory over Grinnell on September 9 and found the back of the net twice in 3-2 win over Hamline on September 4. Lenth started all 19 games and finished with 18 of his 33 shots on goal.
Lenth majors in business.
"I am tremendously proud of our team's mentality and work rate throughout the 2015 season," Head Coach Brad Johnson said. "The group was highly committed to accomplishing our goals and continuing to push the UD Men's Soccer program to new heights. Gonzalo, Danny, Jake, Riley, and Leo are very deserving of their individual recognition. They embody the characteristics and traits of successful team members and they believe and understand the success of the group is paramount. Congratulations!"
