George Mason Outstanding on VaSID All-State Men’s Soccer University Division 

HARRISONBURG, Va. – The University of Virginia Cavaliers garnered two of the four major awards, as the Virginia Sports Information Directors announced their end of season University Men's Soccer awards on Thursday. Nick Dang was named Player of the Year, Moussa Ndiaye from Virginia Commonwealth University was named Defensive Player of the Year, Martim Sereno from George Mason University won Rookie of the Year honors, and Cavalier George Gelnovatch won Coach of the Year. 

Dang was named the top honor for best player after being named Second-Team All-ACC in his first season dawning the white and orange. Dang was named to the ACC All-Tournament Team as well, as he helped Virginia advance to the NCAA Third Round. On the season, the center back scored a career-high six goals, and was a starter in all 21 games for the Cavaliers in 2024. His six goals led the team, and his 12 points tied for first on the team as well.  

Ndiaye earned top defensive player from Virginia Commonwealth. A quality backstop in the Rams' defense, Ndiaye started in all 13 games this season, he played the full 90 minutes in all but one game in 2024, while also tallying a goal. Ndiaye was also named No. 50 in Top Drawer Soccer's midseason player rankings, one of 13 defenders in the top-50, and one of only six from the Atlantic 10 in these rankings as well.  

Sereno was named Rookie of the Year from George Mason. The freshman midfielder from Portugal made an immediate impact for the Patriots, tying for first on the team in assists with six, tied for third in points with 10, and scored two goals on the year. For his play, Sereno was named to the Atlantic-10 All-Rookie Team and garnered A-10 post-season honors. Sereno helped George Mason notch 13 wins, including leading his team to the A-10 conference championship.  

Gelnovatch sustained success at the University of Virginia, leading his squad to 11 wins, and battling their way to the Atlantic Coast Conference semifinals, falling 5-1 to Wake Forest. After earning the No. 11 seed in the national tournament, the Cavaliers advanced to the third round, falling to the University of Massachusetts. The 2024 season marked Virginia's third straight year as a top-16 seed. Gelnovatch coached defender Dang to an all-conference selection, and had two players selected in the 2025 MLS Superdraft this past December.   

With 12 players named to the First Team, Virginia notched the most selections with five. James Madison University was next with three selections, and George Mason and Liberty rounded out the First Team honors with two selections.  

The Patriots dominated Second Team honors, leading the list with four selections. Virginia Tech, Longwood, Virginia, Liberty, and JMU were also listed on the second team.  

VaSID All-State Men's Soccer - University Division 

Player of the Year: Nick Dang - Virginia 
Defensive Player of the Year: Moussa Ndiaye - VCU 
Rookie of the Year: Martim Sereno – George Mason 
Coach of the Year: George Gelnovatch - Virginia   

First Team 

F: Joaquin Brizuela - Virginia 
F: Marek Gonda – George Mason 
F: Michael Huss - Liberty 
M: James Eliuda – George Mason 
M: Gabe Findley – Liberty 
M: Albin Gashi - Virginia 
M: Kevin Larsson - JMU 
M: Umberto Pela - Virginia 
D: Nick Dang Virginia 
D: Luca Nikolai - JMU 
D: Paul Wiese - Virginia 
GK: Sebastian Conlon - JMU 

Second Team 

F: Quentin Clain – George Mason 
F: Ethan Hackenbert – Virginia Tech 
F: Ethan Stevenson – Longwood  
M: Aaron Asamoah - Longwood 
M: Luke Eberle - Liberty 
M: Daniel Mangarov - Virginia 
M: Martim Sereno – George Mason 
D: Josiah Blanton - JMU 
D: Luis Maestre – George Mason 
D: Javi Sanchez – George Mason 
GK: Joey Batrouni – Virginia 

VaSID names 44 all-state teams in 23 sports annually, an Academic All-State squad and an all-sports champion in both the University and College Divisions. Membership in VaSID is open to all media relations professionals working at a university or conference in the Commonwealth of Virginia.