The Ocean City Barons have announced their season-ending awards for the 2007 campaign. Ryan Heins (Temple Univ. / Medford, NJ), a Barons youth product playing his fifth year with the club, has been named the most valuable player. Goalkeeper Adam Edwards (Bucknell / Downingtown, PA) was the team’s top defender, and the club’s leading scorer Byron Carmichael (Marshall / Lumberton, NJ) was the top offensive player.

The Barons also revealed the award winners for the Super-20 team. Mike Mousaw (MVP), Jim Clementi (Defender of the Year), Stephen McCurdey (Offensive Player of the Year) and Carmen Schiavo (Most Improved) were singled out as the top performers from this past season. The Ocean City Barons have announced their season-ending awards for the 2007 campaign. Ryan Heins (Temple Univ. / Medford, NJ), a Barons youth product playing his fifth year with the club, has been named the most valuable player. Goalkeeper Adam Edwards (Bucknell / Downingtown, PA) was the team’s top defender, and the club’s leading scorer Byron Carmichael (Marshall / Lumberton, NJ) was the top offensive player. Also the Barons revealed the award-winners for the Super-20 team. Mike Mousaw (MVP), Jim Clementi (Defender of the Year), Stephen McCurdey (Offensive Player of the Year) and Carmen Schiavo (Most Improved) were singled out as the top performers from this past season.

With a roster short on defenders to begin the season, Heins, a midfielder throughout his impressive college career at Temple University, made the switch to defense where he played in every game in 2007. While on the backline, he was one of the team’s more physical players, never shying away from a challenge, and used his offensive skills to join the attack from the flank. With his 1,336 minutes played this year, he moved into second place in the Barons’ record book for career minutes played with 4.682.

This will likely be his last season with the Barons after being drafted by the Philadelphia Kixx of the Major Indoor Soccer League and he is expected to find a home playing outdoor pro soccer next year.

"Heinsy has had a great PDL career with us and he now has a great soccer career ahead of him," said Barons General Manager Neil Holloway. "He has been committed to our program for the last five years, playing a big part in some great teams, including the 2004 unbeaten team. We wish Ryan all the best as he looks forward to his professional career."

After splitting time with Issey Maholo in goal last year, Adam Edwards (Bucknell / Downingtown, PA), returned as the Barons’ #1, playing in 15 of their 16 league games. Edwards’ 9-2-4 record, 1.01 goals against average and a single-season club record six shutouts was enough to earn him the team’s Defender of the Year award. In addition to his performance in the league, he also made eight saves in a 1-0 shutout of the USL Second Division’s Crystal Palace Baltimore in the first round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. In the second round, the Barons came up short with a narrow 2-1 loss to the eventual USL-2 champion Harrisburg City Islanders. Despite giving up a pair of goals, Edwards kept Ocean City in the game by making 15 saves.

"Adam is one of the most consistent goalies we have ever had and his clean sheet record speaks for itself," said Holloway. "He had to be patient last season when he split time with Issey Moholo, but because of his commitment and professionalism, he got his reward this season and became our #1 and had a fantastic year."

Ever since his first season with the Barons back in 2004, Byron Carmichael (Marshall / Lumberton, NJ) has been the one thing that the Barons’ offense can count on. Carmichael only played in 12 games in 2007, but still lead the team in scoring with nine goals and four assists (22 points), and was named the Barons’ Offensive Player of the Year. He also scored the game-winning goal in the club’s Open Cup upset over Crystal Palace Baltimore. He finished the season with 35 goals, 14 assists for 84 points in his Barons career. He ends 2007 in second place in the Barons record book (behind Ruben Mingo) in all three categories.

"Byron is a Baron through and through," said Holloway about the veteran striker. "He is a big-time player, and gives a lot back to the club, highlighted by the fact that he coaches two of the Barons youth academy teams."

Other individuals who were considered for the award included Jim Davis (LaSalle / Pittsgrove, NJ), Kyle Evans (Lehigh / Seaville, NJ) and Jeremy Ortiz (LaSalle / Mt. Laurel, NJ).

Davis, much like Heins, made the transition from the midfield to the backline and along with his Soccer Seven rival, he was the foundation of the team’s impressive defensive performance. He was also the only player on the roster that played every minute of every game. He also joined the attack from his wide position throughout the season, and assisted on the opening goal in Ocean City’s crucial 2-1 win over Fredericksburg on July 14.

Evans made the most of his debut season with the Barons, while playing at Carey Stadium where he enjoyed a very successful high school career while playing current Barons’ manager Mike Pellegrino. He scored four goals and added four assists in 15 games, and was named to the PDL Team of the Week in the final week of the season.

Last year’s team MVP, Ortiz, was a strong candidate for the 2007 award. He matched his 2006 production exactly, with eight goals and two assists (18 points) in 15 matches. His back-to-back productive seasons was good enough to place him in third place on the Barons career list in goals (16) and points (36).

For the Barons Super-20 team, Mike Moussaw (Philadelphia University / Mamora, NJ) was the most valuable player. He played in every game for the team, and was "the engine room of the team" according to head coach John Thompson. He ran the show from his central midfield position, and did a nice job to not only create on offense, but to link up the play between the defense and the forwards.

Moussaw’s performance at the Super-20 level, encouraged PDL manager Mike Pellegrino to call him up to the senior side where he played in three games. He rewarded Coach Pellegrino’s faith in him by scoring his first career PDL goal in the Barons’ final road game at the Reading Rage on July 20.

Jim Clementi (Ramapo College / Medford Lakes, NJ) was named the Super-20’s best defender. The award is even more impressive considering that Clementi was learning a new position. "Jim has come a long way since his U-17 season," said Thompson. "He has made the transition from a central midfielder to a right back with ease. His midfield attributes translated well to the right back position."

The Super-20 Offensive Player of the Year was Stephen McCurdey (Lafayette College / Lumberton, NJ). "Stephen is a very solid technical player in every aspect of the game," said Thompson. "He is the type of player that can produce something inspirational at any moment on the field." McCurdey spent most of the season attacking from the left wing, and like Moussaw, played three games for the PDL team in the second half of the season.

The Most Improved Player for the team was Carmen Schiavo (Univ. of New Haven / Sicklerville, NJ). Schiavo was sent off in his second game of the season, and got off to a poor start to the campaign. He managed to bounce back and ended up as the team’s leading scorer with five goals in nine matches, and earned a starting job. "Carmen began the season a bit erratic, but his great attitude and work ethic helped him earn a spot up front," said Thompson.