BAY CITY, Mich. – Roosevelt made an instant impact in its first year in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference with six players on the All-GLIAC men's soccer team announced Thursday by the league.

The list is headlined by 2024 GLIAC Defender of the Year Nick Kilian, who joins fellow senior Gabriel Koenig as first-team all-conference defenders. Kilian led the GLIAC with nine assists this season, including serving up the ball for Oskar Schuster's game-winning goal on the final day of the regular season to give the Lakers a share of the GLIAC regular-season crown.

The Stahnsdorf, Germany native's nine assists are the most for a Lakers player in nearly a decade after arriving this summer from Olivet Nazarene. The 2023 NAIA All-American and CCAC Player of the Year was an instant fit with the Lakers and started all 16 games this season for Roosevelt while playing all but 39 minutes this season. His only goal on the season came Oct. 18 when he scored with five minutes left to defeat Purdue Northwest on the road.

"Nick's journey as a college athlete has been absolutely remarkable, being an NAIA All-American to now earning the GLIAC Defensive Player of the Year award," Roosevelt head coach Paddy Hoepp said. "Joining us this fall, he seamlessly adjusted to our program and quickly became an essential part of our team. His contributions on the field, both defensively and offensively, have been vital for us all year. I couldn't be prouder of him."

Koenig was a first-team All-CCAC pick last season and picked up right where he left off this season as the leader on Roosevelt's back line. The Fuerth, Germany native scored two goals and added an assist to tie his career high in both goals and points (5) during his final year with the Lakers. The senior also started and played in all 16 matches, staying on the field for 1,436 of a possible 1,440 minutes this season.

Schuster, who set a new career high with eight goals, rounded out the trio of first-team honorees for the GLIAC co-champions. The junior was the GLIAC Offensive Player of the Week for the week of Oct. 21-27 after scoring his first career hat trick against Northern Michigan in a 3-1 win. The native of Halle, Germany finished second in the GLIAC in goals while leading the team with 16 points on the season.

"Oskar's journey over the past three years has been remarkable, and we couldn't be prouder of his growth both on and off the field," Hoepp said. "His relentless work rate and mentality have set a high standard, inspiring those around him to elevate their game.

"Gabe has been a fantastic leader for our program. Receiving All-CCAC first team and now an All-GLIAC first team reflects his consistency on the field and the lasting mark he's leaving on our program. I am extremely proud of his achievements and leadership."

The Lakers also placed two midfielders on the second team in Luca Swinton and Noah Vasilev. The pair were critical parts of Roosevelt's defensive core that allowed just one goal per game this season and kept six clean sheets. Swinton scored two goals and added an assist while Vasilev scored once with one assist this year.

"Luca and Noah have been exceptional for our team all season," Hoepp said. "Their impact on our team's performance to control and manage games has been tremendous. I am very happy that both received second team all-conference recognitions."

Roosevelt's all-conference honors were rounded out by defender Valdemar Nambo, who received honorable mention recognition. The junior transfer from Drake started all 16 games for Roosevelt on the back line this season.

The Lakers will return to action Friday as Roosevelt will host the GLIAC Tournament semifinals and final this weekend at Morris Field in Arlington Heights. The Lakers kick off their semifinal at 4 p.m. against fourth-seeded Davenport, which will be followed by No. 2 Saginaw Valley State facing No. 6 Purdue Northwest in the other semifinal. The final will be 3 p.m. on Sunday.

Tickets and more information on the event can be found by clicking here.