Dec. 9, 2002

VILLANOVA, Pa. - Senior defender Stephen Leaman and midfielder Tony Rod were cited by the Philadelphia Soccer Seven for their achievements in 2002 at the group's annual awards dinner.

Leaman, a Rhodes Scholar candidate, was named the Soccer Seven's Academic Player of the Year for the second year in a row. The defender started all 18 games for the Wildcats and chipped in with one goal and one assist on the season. A Biology major, Leaman carries a 3.8 grade point average at Villanova.

Rod was named to the first Philadelphia Soccer Seven team for the second straight year as well. The Philadelphia native played both midfield and defense for the Wildcats and was credited with two assists on the campaign. He too started all 18 games.

"Both Leaman and Rod made great contributions to Villanova Soccer over their careers here," said head coach Larry Sullivan. "We will miss them as players but also for the kind of people they are."