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BUFFALO, NY - The University at Buffalo men's soccer team handed out its season-ending awards at the annual UB Athletic Awards Banquet on Sunday, April 28 at Samuel's Grande Manor in Clarence.

Receiving awards from head coach John Astudillo and his staff were sophomore Dave Pidgeon (Dorval, Quebec/Bishop Whelan), junior Dan Wielechowski (Canton, MI/Plymouth Salem) and seniors Mike Peplinski (Syracuse, NY/Liverpool) and Kevin Pitra (Solon, OH/Solon).

Dave Pidgeon

Pidgeon, a midfielder, received the Top Newcomer award after starting 15 of 16 games he participated in and ranking tied for second on the team with three goals. He also was third in scoring with seven points and second on the team with 27 shots. He converted his only penalty kick of the season.

Wielechowski, a forward/midfielder, started all 17 games and finished tied for fourth in scoring with two goals and two assists (six points) to earn Most Improved Player.

Peplinski, who earned first-team All-MAC honors for his play during the 2001 season, led the team with four assists while adding two goals for eight points, second-best on the Bulls. He also converted a penalty kick on the season. He went on to earn second-team All-Region honors by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA). Peplinski was the recipient of the Coaches Award.

Pitra, meanwhile earned MVP honors after serving as the rock in the UB defense all season, starting all 16 games he played in and helping Buffalo to three shutouts. His only goal of the season was the gamewinner in a victory at Northern Illinois in the regular season

Kevin Pitra

finale. Pitra earned Defensive MVP honors of the UB Fall Classic which Buffalo won in September.

Buffalo finished the season 8-7-2 and 2-3-1 in the Mid-American Conference.