CORVALLIS, Ore. – The 2025 Cascade Collegiate Conference Men’s Soccer postseason awards were announced Friday by the conference office.
Rocky Mountain College freshman David Russell earned both the McDonald's Offensive Player of the Year presented by UEN and Newcomer of the Year honors. Jacob Russell of Eastern Oregon University was named the McDonald's Defensive Player of the Year presented by UEN, while teammate Anthony Lemus received Goalkeeper of the Year. Eastern Oregon head coach Jessy Watson was selected as the Coach of the Year, and Walla Walla University claimed the Team Sportsmanship Award.
Russell, a freshman midfielder from Arundel, Australia, made an immediate impact in his debut season, leading the CCC in goals (13) and points (31), while ranking second in total shots (55). His efforts helped Rocky Mountain secure a 6-1-5 conference record and the No. 3 seed heading into this weekend’s CCC Championship tournament.
Jacob Russell, a sophomore defender from Yakima, Wash., anchored an Eastern Oregon defense that powered the Mountaineers to a historic season. EOU captured its first-ever CCC Regular Season Championship, finishing the conference slate unbeaten at 10-0-2 and entering the postseason ranked No. 23 in the NAIA.
Lemus, a senior goalkeeper from Beaverton, Ore., was a key piece of that success, allowing just eight goals all season. He led the CCC in goals-against average (0.54), ranked fourth in save percentage (.778), and logged 1,328:01 minutes in goal.
Watson was honored as Coach of the Year after guiding Eastern Oregon to its historic campaign which included the first regular season title in program history and an undefeated conference record (10-0-2). EOU saw two members on the first team, five on the second, and one received honorable mention. The Mountaineers, the defending CCC Tournament Champions, enter postseason play nationally ranked at No. 23.
The full list of the 2025 CCC All-Conference teams can be found HERE.