AUSTIN, Texas -  Fairleigh Dickinson University redshirt sophomore Ahu Obhakhan was named to the 2017 Academic All-American Soccer Third-Team as selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA), it was announced Thursday. Obhakhan is the first men's soccer recipient of the award in program history.  

"What a fantastic honor for Ahu and the FDU Men's Soccer Program,"  head coach Seth Roland said.  "Ahu is a truly outstanding student-athlete who has demonstrated his excellence both in the classroom and on the soccer field.  It's extremely gratifying to see him receive this tribute." 

Twenty-six of the 34 members of the 2017 CoSIDA Academic All-America Division I men's soccer teams have at least a 3.90 GPA, with 15 student-athletes sporting a perfect 4.0 GPA. The 11 members of the first team have an average GPA of 3.91.

Obhakhan, a business management major and native of Dogheda, Ireland, saw action in 16 of 18 games in 2017, making nine starts.  The All-Northeast Conference First Team forward tied for the team lead in goals with seven and led the team in overall points with 16, all while maintaining a 3.91 overall GPA in his studies. Additionally, Obhakhan was a key contributor for the Knights, who earned the No. 3 seed in this year's NEC Tournament.

"We take great pride in the fact that, in 17 of the last 18 years, the FDU Men's Soccer Program has earned a team GPA over 3.0.  Ahu's achievements sets the bar high for everyone in our program, and it's important to have leaders and role models like him for all of our FDU student-athletes to emulate," Roland said.    

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