Nov. 13, 2009

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Elmhurst, IL - Junior defender Raphael Martinez was named First Team All-Summit League for the second consecutive season, joining teammates Max Touloute, Liridon Qafleshi and Donovan Dowling on the year-end conference honors.

A First Team All-Summit League and All-Newcomer team selection in 2008, Martinez totaled three assists from his position on defense in the 2009 season. Also a member of the 2008 All-Newcomer team, Martinez has started in 35 of 36 games during his tenure in Fort Wayne. Martinez also has the distinction of being the only Mastodon to be named first team All-Summit League in program history.

Max Touloute, the team's leader in points in both 2008 and 2009, and junior midfielder Liridon Qafleshi each received the nod on second team. Touloute totaled 14 points on six goals and a pair of assists, finishing third in the league in both points and goals. The second team honors come a season after being named to the All-Newcomer Team in 2008.

Qafleshi garnered second team honors with his combination of offense and defense from his position in the midfield. A starter in 11 of 17 matches this season, Qafleshi tallied a goal and an assist on the year. The All-League distinction is his first in the Blue and White.

Junior goalkeeper Donovan Dowling rounds out the Mastodon honors with a place on the All-Newcomer team. A transfer from Barton Junior College, Dowling made the most of his debut season with the 'Dons, posting a 1.53 goals against average, the best season average for any IPFW keeper in the Division I era.

UMKC's Bryan Perez was honored as Offensive Player of the Year after finishing the season with 10 goals and three assists, while Oakland keeper Mitch Hildebrandt's seven shutouts and 0.66 GAA landed him the Defensive Player of the Year nod.

The four IPFW honorees is the best post-season awards finish during head coach Mike Harper's tenure in Fort Wayne. Their 6-11-2 finish is also best since the 2004 squad closed the season 8-9-1.

Just one full-time starter graduates from the 2009 squad as a handful of returnees, including all four All-League performers, will look to better their Summit League finish in the 2010 campaign.

~Dons~