Saint Xavier University's Ian Pickett (Mokena, Ill.) and Illinois Institute of Technology's Liam Barrett (Felixstowe, England) proved that they were two of the best men's soccer players in the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference during the regular season and late Saturday afternoon the pair were honored for their accomplishments when the league announced its 2009 postseason awards. Pickett, a senior goalkeeper, was named the conference's player of the year, while Barrett gained the league's freshman of the year distinction.

Pickett closed out his career in sparkling fashion posting 10 shutouts in 18 regular-season games and a 0.60 goals-against average. Both of those figures ranked No. 1 in the CCAC as did his save percentage (.904) and shutouts per game (0.56). Pickett also produced the second-most saves during the regular season (104) and ranked third in saves per game (5.78).

Barrett, a forward, turned heads in his first season in the league finishing atop the conference in total points (39), points per game (2.60), goals (17) and goals per game (1.13). He also placed in a three-way tie for fourth place in game-winning goals (3), a two-way tie for second-place in assists per game (0.33, 5 in 15 games) and a three-way tie for seventh-place in total assists.

Regular-season champion Judson University and second-place finisher Saint Xavier topped the list of awardees with six players earning first-team or honorable mention status from each team. Judson, which was guided by CCAC Coach of the Year Steve Burke, also tied Olivet Nazarene University for having the most players on the first team with four each. ONU also had one of its players on the honorable mention list for five total.

Saint Xavier, Cardinal Stritch University and Illinois Tech all had two players named to the first team with Cardinal Stritch also having two players earn honorable mention accolades and Illinois Tech, one.

Robert Morris University, Trinity International University and University of St. Francis all had representation on the honorable mention squad with Robert Morris the only team of the three to earn a pair of spots.

First-year CCAC member Holy Cross College claimed the 2009 Karl Boeck Sportsmanship Award for the conference.

For a complete listing of all the awards, go to: http://www.ccacsports.com/awards/7/2.php