Four Olivet College men’s soccer players named to 2013 All-MIAA teams

OLIVET, Mich. – Four Olivet College men's soccer players have been named to the 2013 All-Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) teams. Junior defender John Leutzinger (Washington Twp./Warren De La Salle) and junior midfielder Jon Puente (Kalamazoo/Galesburg Augusta) earned first-team All-MIAA honors. Senior forward Fred Smyser (Grand Rapids/Forest Hills Eastern) and senior Adam Wright (Southend, England/Walled Lake Western) are second-team selections.

Under the leadership of first-year Head Coach Dan Bulley, the Comets were third in the MIAA with a 8-5 record and advanced to the MIAA Tournament for a third straight year. All-MIAA honors are based on a player's performance in league play. Overall, Olivet had a 10-9-1 record for its sixth straight winning season.

Leutzinger, a second-team All-MIAA pick in 2012, was the anchor of the Comets' backline this season. He started all 13 games at the left-centerback position. For the season, Leutzinger was the starter in all 20 games, recording one goal and one assist for three points.

"John is very deserving of this award," said Bulley. "He is solid at the back and can mix it up. John has the capability to play good soccer but also knows how to be physical and roll his sleeves up when times are tough."

Puente started all 13 games in the midfield for the Comets. He scored 15 total points on five goals and five assists. Three of Puente's goals were game-winners. For the entire 20-game schedule, he had 21 points (eight goals and five assists).

"Jon was a menace to teams all year," said Bulley. "As a midfielder, he attacked well from deep and has a gift for finding the back of the net. I look forward to working with him and John for another year."

Smyser started all nine-of-12 games played. He started the season at the midfield before moving up at the midpoint of the season. He led Olivet in MIAA play with 16 points (five goals and six assists). Four of Smyser's assists were on game-winning goals, including three in 1-0 Comet victories. For the season, he saw action in 19 games, with 13 starts. He had six goals and six assists for 18 points. Smyser  finished his career ranked third all-time in assists (21) and fourth in points (65). He is now a three-time All-MIAA selection, as he earned second-team honors in 2011 and first-team honors in 2012.

"Fred had a position change midway through the season," said Bulley. "I feel he is a strong player and scored some fantastic goals for us. Fred blossomed into one of the elite players in the conference towards the end of the season."

Wright started nine games in the midfield before suffering a season-ending knee injury. Prior to his injury, he had four goals and one assist for nine points. Overall, Wright started 14-of-15 games played and collected 12 points (three goals and six assists). He ended his career with 15 goals and 15 assists for 45 points. Wright also earned second-team All-MIAA honors in 2011.

"Adam looked dangerous all season before an unfortunate injury," said Bulley. "He was really on top of his game and a threat to the other team's defense."