HUDSONVILLE, Mich. -- At the conclusion of the 2023 Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) men's soccer regular season, head coaches from the MIAA's eight member institutions that sponsor men's soccer voted on All-MIAA awards.
Calvin University senior forward Oliver Akintade was voted the 2023 MIAA Most Valuable Player after leading the Knights to an unblemished conference record of 7-0 (14-2-1 overall), clinching the regular-season title for the seventeenth-straight season. In starting all seven league contests, Akintade concluded the 2023 campaign as the MIAA's leader with 18 points, 25 shots, and 2-2 penalty kicks. He is also second in the conference with six assists and third with six goals. Akintade is now a four-time All-MIAA honoree.
Trine University's Tyler Murphy was selected as the 2023 recipient of the Dr. Marvin A. Zuidema Award. Presented to a senior selected for contributions to team play, leadership qualities, demonstration of ethical virtues and excellence in athletics and academics, the Marvin Zuidema Award was established in 1999 in honor of the late Dr. Marvin Zuidema, longtime men's soccer coach and athletic administrator at Calvin. Murphy, a captain for the Thunder, boasts a grade-point average of 3.957. The senior forward wrapped up his career as Trine's leading scorer in the DIII era (97 points, 44 goals), the most game-winning goals of all time for the Thunder (15), and one of three Trine men's soccer players in history to score four goals in a single match. Murphy has received the following accolades throughout his career: 2022 CSC First Team Academic All-American, 2021 USC All-Region, 2021 First Team All-MIAA, 2020 Second Team All-MIAA, and seven-time MIAA Athlete of the Week.
Calvin junior transfer Alex White was named the 2023 Newcomer of the Year after competing in his first MIAA season. In starting and playing in six league contests, the forward contributed eight assists and two goals for a total of twelve points. White helped the Knights to the MIAA Championship and the top seed in the 2023 MIAA Men's Soccer Tournament.
Most Valuable Player
Oliver Akintade, Calvin
Dr. Marvin A. Zuidema Award
Tyler Murphy, Trine
Newcomer of the Year
Alex White, Calvin
2023 Men's Soccer All-MIAA First Team
2023 Men's Soccer All-MIAA Second Team
(#) Number of multi-time All-MIAA, including career first- and second-team honors
