Suwannee men’s soccer has been loaded with honors this year. The won the district championship for the first time in school history, had a great run at the regional title and now goal-keeper Matt Yanossy has been named the Gainesville Sun Defensive Player of the Year.

Last year Yanossy was named the Bulldog soccer team’s MVP as a freshman. This year Yanossy tied with Garrett Brown for the MVP title again. Yanossy, with the help of a great defense, had an area-best 17 shutouts and allowed only 13 goals in 23 games.



Yanossy is just a sophomore so Suwannee can expect him back next year. Yanossy also plays middle linebacker for Bulldog football and in the outfield for the Bulldog baseball team.

Yanossy also made the first team all-area for the Gainesville Sun as goal keeper along with teammate, senior Michael Bowen who made the team as a striker. Bowen had 23 goals last year and 17 assists.



Making second team is Yanossy’s middle-school, football and baseball buddy Billy Moran. Moran is also a sophomore this year. He had 21 goals and five assists. The boys are in the same grade and have been playing together for many years.



Making the honorable-mention all-area team were Kevin pate and Reggie Johnson. Johnson’s year was cut short due to a broken leg but he still made all-area.



This unprecedented number of players, five, making the all-area teams is a record for the Dogs. In the past, there have been one or two that made honorable mention.



“This is the first time we have ever had players on the first team much less Defensive Player of the Year,” coach Frank Johnson said.



Johnson has the schedule for next year complete and it will be a tough one for the Dogs. Johnson said he decided to take a page from football coach Jay Walls’ scheduling book by creating a really tough schedule. Johnson said if it can work for the football team, it will work for the soccer team.



Suwannee picked up Rickards, Bolles, Clay, Ocala Westport and Jacksonville Episcopal. Yes, the Episcopal that beat the Dogs last year 3-0. Johnson says that rematch should be a big game.



Next year Suwannee will face 9-10 teams that made it to state this year.



Look for the next year’s Suwannee Bulldogs to be hot on the field. Go Dogs!