EMU’s Emmanuel Boamah (Alexandria, Va./West Potomac) has earned a repeat spot on the United Soccer Coaches All-Region Team. The senior defender finishes his career with an elite spot on the All-South Atlantic Region First Team.
With a spot on the Second Team last fall, Boamah became the first EMU men’s soccer player named All-Region since 2009. Now he enters even rarer air, becoming one of just five Royals ever to earn multiple All-Region honors, and the first since Ryan Brenneman in 1998-99.
Jeff Shank (1992-93), Clay Rosenberger (1993-94) and Nate Derstine (1994-96) are the other Eastern Mennonite men named to more than one All-Region Team. All of Boamah’s predecessors have since entered the EMU Hall of Honor.
A four-year starter in EMU’s back line, Boamah, also a four-year All-ODAC honoree, has been a dynamic presence on the field. While routinely thwarting opponent’s attack up the middle, he got into EMU’s attack, often on set pieces. Boamah set career highs as a senior with four goals scored and one assist. He scored in three of the Royals’ final four games, and hit the game-winner against rival Bridgewater College for the second year in a row.
Boamah closed his career with eight goals (including three game-winners) and one assist.
Coach Roger Mast said Boamah had a unique impact on his team.
“We are so proud of Emmanuel and what he is contributed to our program in his four-year career,” Mast said. “E-man’s athleticism, passion for the game, and relentless desire to win made him one of the top defenders in both the conference and the South Atlantic Region. I am also proud of him for the way that he has matured as a man throughout his career. We will certainly miss his big smile next season.”
In Mast’s 28th season, the Royals finished 9-9-1, earning their third straight season at .500 or better. At 6-4 in the ODAC, the men had their most wins in conference play since 2011.
Boamah was one of 11 men from the Old Dominion Athletic Conference to earn a spot on the three All-Region Teams, and one of just four on the First Team.
Click to see the entire United Soccer Coaches All-South Atlantic Region Teams.