Williams Leads Rams' Postseason Honors

Five URI Men Feature in A-10 Awards

November 12, 2009

KINGSTON, R.I. -- Five University of Rhode Island men’s soccer players received Atlantic 10 All-Conference honors in voting conducted by the league’s head coaches.

Dwayne Williams has led a solid URI defense this fall. (Photo courtesy of URI Athletics)

Dwayne Williams was one of three defenders selected to the first team while midfielders Gary Crooks and Andres Ruiz both earned second team honors. Crooks also landed a spot on the All-Academic squad while forwards Erkko Puranen and Thomas Lindroos were honorable mention and All-Rookie selections, respectively.

Williams, a center back for the Rams, earns his second consecutive All-Conference honor as he was selected to last year’s second team. He leads all URI defenders in scoring this season with three goals – all of which were game-winners – and has twice been named to College Soccer News’ National Team of the Week (Oct. 18 and Nov. 9).

Ruiz and Crooks share the team lead with 11 points each on four goals and three assists.

Most recently, Ruiz netted a pair of goals in URI’s win at George Washington. He also scored the lone goal in a crucial 1-0 win over Duquesne on Nov. 1. Ten of his 11 points this season came in league games (four goals, two assists).

Crooks – who becomes Rhody’s first Academic All-Conference selection since 2006 – tallied a pair of goals against Temple and set up the game-winning goal at George Washington. He also netted the game-winner in URI’s 1-0 victory over Boston College.

Puranen also picks up his second straight A-10 award as he was selected to last season’s Second Team as well as the All-Rookie squad. Always a marked player on the field, he finished the regular season with 10 points on four goals and two assists.

Lindroos – who received A-10 Rookie of the Week honors on Oct. 19 – recorded all of his eight points (three goals, two assists) in conference games this season. He found the back of the net against Temple, UMass and St. Bonaventure while recording assists in URI’s wins over St. Joe’s and George Washington.

With a 6-3-0 mark in conference play this season (9-8-1 overall), Rhode Island earned the No. 4 seed in the A-10 tournament. As a result, the Rams will face fifth-seeded Charlotte in a quarterfinal matchup, Thursday at 7:30 p.m. at the URI Soccer Complex.