Five Oregon Players Make Preseason Polynesian Player of the Year Watchlist

The Polynesian Soccer Corridor of Fame has introduced their yearly preseason watchlist for the 2022 Polynesian Faculty Soccer Participant of The Yr, which consists of 85 gamers from 43 FBS colleges throughout the nation. Noah Sewell, Popo Aumavae, Mase Funa, Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu and Sam ‘Taki’ Taimani all made the checklist for the Geese.

Observe: “The Polynesian Faculty Soccer Participant of The Yr might be offered to essentially the most excellent school soccer participant of Polynesian ancestry that epitomizes nice capability and integrity”.

All 5 Geese have been listed for this preseason award final 12 months as properly, with Sewell being a finalist, making him the fourth finalist in Oregon historical past. The Geese have all the time represented the Polynesian tradition very properly up to now, even debuting their flash “Ohana” uniforms for the 2020 sport in opposition to the UCLA Bruins.

Former quarterback and Heisman trophy winner Marcus Mariota gained the award in 2014, Penei Sewell introduced it house in 2019 and DeForest Buckner was chosen as a finalist in 2015. Now the Geese have the honour of including 5 extra gamers to signify Oregon and the Polynesian tradition.

READ MORE: Has Oregon Soccer turned the nook in fall camp beneath Dan Lanning?

LB Noah Sewell

Sewell has been the outright chief of the protection since arriving in Eugene as a real freshman in 2020. Main the Geese in tackles each seasons whereas ending second within the convention this previous season, Oregon might be seeking to the third-year starter not solely to make performs, however to even be a pacesetter.

DL Sam ‘Taki’ Taimani

Taiani transferred to the Geese from Washington this previous offseason including extra expertise to the inside defensive position. Whereas at Washington he led the defensive position in tackles with 43 in 11 video games. Taimani can have the chance to make a reputation for himself alongside returning veterans like Brandon Dorlus and Popo Aumavae.

OL Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu

The senior offensive lineman will return as essentially the most skilled within the group. He is performed a complete of 710 snaps on the proper sort out place and helped help Oregon’s run sport success with 202 speeding yards per sport a season in the past. Oregon nearly did not get him again earlier than the season, as he declared for the NFL draft following the conclusion of the common season. When head coach Dan Lanning arrived at Oregon this offseason he wasted no time getting the proficient lineman again within the fold.

READ MORE: LSU CB commit Daylen Austin planning fall official visits

LB Mase Funa

One other skilled backer for the Geese this upcoming season, Funa performed a complete of 411 defensive snaps final season regardless of an damage. Funa might be enjoying in his fourth 12 months for Oregon this season and he appears to be like to assist a robust linebacking corps come week one. Funa was additionally the primary recruit to decide to Oregon and begin the ‘Cali Flock’ motion, which represents Oregon’s recruiting success within the Golden State.

DL Popo Aumavae

Aumavae completed his junior marketing campaign with a career-high 36 whole tackles whereas enjoying in 13 video games for Oregon. He was additionally named Pac-12 all-conference first-team choice. The senior is seeking to end the season higher than he did the final by dominating within the trenches.

This award might be offered throughout the Polynesian Soccer Corridor of Fame Enshrinement Week Celebration Dinner on the Sheraton Waikiki. Together with the presentation, the winner might be acknowledged throughout the Polynesian Bowl being performed on January 20, 2023.

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