Ali Kazim Nakhid Named ECAC Defensive Player of the Year
DANBURY, Conn. - Senior Ali Kazim Nakhid (Beirut, Lebanon/UMBC) of the Goucher College men's soccer team was named the 2022 ECAC Defensive Player of the Year as well as First Team All-ECAC, it was announced late Thursday. Nakhid becomes the first Goucher player to earn ECAC postseason honors.
Nakhid, a Landmark Conference First Team All-Conference and United Soccer Coaches Second Team All-Region selection, started all 20 games for the Gophers this season. He totaled 11 goals and a pair of assists for 24 points, tying for second in the Landmark in goals and fourth in points. Nakhid also was one of the anchors of a defense that posted seven shutouts and posted a 1.27 team goals-against average.
Nakhid has also been honored for his work in the classroom, as he has earned United Soccer Coaches Scholar All-Region honors and was named Academic All-District by College Sports Communicators (formerly CoSIDA).
Goucher finished 10-4-6 in 2022, its most victories since 1992, and qualified for the Landmark Conference Championship for the first time since 2014. The Gophers also made their first-ever ECAC Tournament appearance, advancing to the quarterfinals.