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SIMA Alumni headlines USC ones to watch list

By Lucas Marchetti, 08/25/22, 5:15PM EDT

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Five of the top 50 student-athletes in the nation are former Eagles

In celebration of the college season starting today we highlight the many SIMA Alumni that have been picked for United Soccer Coaches Ones to Watch List

SIMA Alumni Headlining the One's to Watch List

The United Soccer Coaches (USC) organization has recently come out with a national Ones to Watch List for the upcoming 2022-23 NCAA Division I season. Five of our former SIMA Eagles were featured in the article from the anchors in the back line all the way to the goal scorers up top. Here is why they were selected. 

Hamady Diop: A key player for the Clemson Tigers National Championship run as a fullback and center back. Apart from playing all 90 minutes in the National Championship vs. the University of Washington,  Diop made 20 appearances for the Tigers and started in all 20. In those 20 games he recorded three goals and three assists and by the end of the season earned himself Second-team All-ACC and All-South Region honors for the 2021-22 season. A well deserved entry for the Senegalese defender. 

Jackson Walti: Last Season, Walti captained the Pittsburgh Panthers and is back for another season as a 5th year. Walti started in all 20 games for the Panthers last year where he recorded a field player season-high of over 1,800 minutes played. In those 20 games, the Swiss midfielder got himself a goal and two assists while also earning United Soccer Coaches South All-Region Second Team honors, All-ACC Second Team honors , All-ACC Academic Team honors and the prestigious 2022 ACC Postgraduate Scholarship Award.

Ousmane Sylla:  After arriving in early January, Ousmane Sylla was also a key player for the Clemson Tigers in their National Championship run. The midfielder played 68 minutes in the National Championship vs. the University of Washington. Sylla started in 13 of his 21 appearances for the Tigers where he recorded five goals and seven assists in over 1,300 minutes played. At the conclusion of the 2021-22 season, Sylla earned himself Second-team All-ACC and All-South region honors for his great performances. 

Peter Mangione: Last Season, Peter Mangione was a fundamental part of Penn State's offense. Mangione started 20 out 21 games for the Nittany Lions' 2021-22 season. In those 21 appearances, Mangione recorded seven goals and four assists while also earning many honors in the Big Ten conference such as Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year, Big Ten First Team honors, and Big Ten All Academic Honors. Mangione also received a nod from United Soccer Coaches All-North Region Team. 

Lucca Dourado: Last season, Lucca Dourado was the marksman for UCF. The former Eagle started in 15 of his 16 appearances for the Knights and was able to score a whopping 13 goals with six of them being game-winners. The forward was ranked 1st in the AAC and 10th nationally with only 16 games played. Dourado's great performances earned him Second Team All-East region, Unanimous First Team All-Conference honors and the American's All-Tournament Team.

You can see the complete list at https://unitedsoccercoaches.org/united-soccer-coaches-announce-2022-ncaa-division-i-mens-and-womens-players-to-watch-forwards/

We cannot wait to see more from these former Eagles this season!

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