The Sacramento State men’s soccer team had three of its players honored Monday as part of the all-Big West Conference teams.

The three Hornets honored were seniors, goalkeeper Cesar Castillo and forward Isaac Ikyurav and freshman defender Andrew Gosselin.

Castillo was the highest awarded Hornet garnering a second team selection. The senior had 99 saves, giving him 243 on his career.  

Castillo tallied five shutouts this season, giving him 16 total. Men’s soccer head coach Mike Linenberger thought his goalie should have been a part of the first team selection.

“Obviously I am a little bit biased. I thought he was the best in the conference this season,” Linenberger said. “I am happy he was recognized with the second team, because he deserved it.”

Ikyurav was awarded his second all-Big West honor in as many years. In 2012, he was named to the second team. This season the Benue, Nigeria native was a honorable mention with two goals and an assist.

Ikyurav’s most notable goal came against the first meeting with UC Davis, when he scored from on the ground. He finished his career with 10 career goals as a Hornet.

“I think he was as dangerous as he was last year, but his shots didn’t make the back of the net this season,” Linenberger said.

Gosselin, who started out as an outside back this season, made the move to center back defender after fellow freshman defender Javier Munoz injured himself against UC Santa Barbara Oct. 22. He is tied for second on the team with two goals in the 12 out of 14 games he started.

“He is naturally a center back defender, so when we moved him there he excelled in the last six games of the season,” Linenberger said.  

Castillo and Ikyurav will both leave Sac State on a high note with all-Big West Honors, while Gosselin has three more years to showcase his talent as he looks to be a consistent fixture in the backline defense of the Hornets.

 

Clifton can be reached on Twitter at @jonesSHsports