MILWAUKEE – Jack Wagner of the Milwaukee men's soccer team was selected Horizon League Defensive Player of the Year, Carson Pridie earned Horizon League Goalkeeper of the Year recognition, and head coach Kris Kelderman was named Horizon League Coach of the Year as the league office announced its postseason honors Friday.
 
The Panthers put together an impressive showing in the 2026 conference postseason awards, earning three major individual accolades while placing three players on the All-League First Team. Wagner and Pridie were joined on the Horizon League First Team by Dominic Zuniga.
 
The Panthers also had Mitch Goodman named one of five finalists for the Horizon League Sportsmanship Award.
 
Wagner becomes MKE's first league Defensive Player of the Year since Billy Meier won the award in 2006 and just the second in program history. The steady presence on the backline for Milwaukee since arriving on campus – he has started all 55 games the team has played since then and only come off the field for eight minutes this fall – having played all 90 minutes in 15 of the 17 matches in 2026. In addition to helping the team to seven shutouts, he has provided five points on a pair of goals and an assist on offense this campaign.
 
Pridie has been nothing short of spectacular in his first season with the program, posting impressive numbers since winning the starting job full-time in early September. His 0.62 goals-against average, .893 save percentage, 5.12 saves per game, and six shutouts not only lead the Horizon League in every category, but are also among the best in the nation. Among current NCAA leaders, Pridie stands second in save percentage, eighth in GAA, 11^th in saves per outing, and 16^th in shutouts. He becomes Milwaukee's first-ever league Goalkeeper of the Year, an award that started being handed out in 2005.
 
Kelderman claims the first Horizon League Coach of the Year honors of his time in Milwaukee, leading the Panthers to their first regular-season title in 22 years. The team features one of the best defenses in the country – ranked No. 7 in the NCAA with 0.77 team goals-against average – and battled throughout a dramatic finish down the stretch to leapfrog to the top of the standings for the first time since 2004. Kelderman finished well above expectations, as the team was selected to place sixth in the league preseason poll.
 
Zuniga is in his second season with the Panthers and has been a steady piece of the midfield since his arrival. Last year, he played in 16 games and finished second in the league in assists. This fall, he is the team leader in points with 11 (2G/7A) and is again second in the conference in the assist column. One of his goals was a big game-winner at Detroit Mercy Oct. 30, capping a comeback for the team while also keeping its regular-season title hopes alive.
 
Player of the Year: Tom Mertz, Cleveland State
Goalkeeper of the Year: Carson Pridie, Milwaukee
Offensive Player of the Year: Brandon Razo, Purdue Fort Wayne
Defensive Player of the Year: Jack Wagner, Milwaukee
Freshman of the Year: Domenic Ruggiero, Cleveland State
Sportsmanship Award: Jago Thompson-Roberts, IU Indianapolis
Coach of the Year: Kris Kelderman, Milwaukee
 
All-League First Team
Tom Mertz, Cleveland State, Midfielder
Lennhart Heck, Cleveland State, Defender
Domenic Ruggiero, Cleveland State, Forward
Carson Pridie, Milwaukee, Goalkeeper
Jack Wagner, Milwaukee, Defender
Dominic Zuniga, Milwaukee, Midfielder
Niko Angulo, Northern Illinois, Midfielder
Vance Sheffield, Northern Illinois, Forward
Zach Townsend, Oakland, Defender
Brandon Razo, Purdue Fort Wayne, Forward
Anelson Azard, Robert Morris, Forward
 
All-League Second Team
Uzman Ramees, Cleveland State, Midfielder
Drew Pierson, Detroit Mercy, Defender
Oscar Arroyo, Green Bay, Defender
Noah Lechelt, Green Bay, Forward
Luka Vasic, Northern Illinois, Defender
Cal Kurzawa, Oakland, Forward
Jonny Hernandez, Purdue Fort Wayne, Midfielder
Karsten Ternes, Purdue Fort Wayne, Defender
Josh Lane, Robert Morris, Goalkeeper
Maximillian Banfi, Wright State, Forward
Gabe Gotting, Wright State, Midfielder
 
Sportsmanship Award Finalists
Colin Monroe, Detroit Mercy
Jago Thompson-Roberts, IU Indianapolis*
Mitch Goodman, Milwaukee
Miguel Dominguez, Robert Morris
Maximillian Banfi, Wright State