Credit first-year head coach Eric Reed for a very quick turnaround to a program that struggled to 1-10-1 in 2016 and was 1-13-0 in 2017.
With 19 points in the standings, the Pioneers were very much a playoff contender this year and if the postseason field were eight teams instead of six, Malone would have been looking at its first conference tournament appearance.
Finelli represents Malone’s first men’s soccer student-athlete for conference offensive accolades in almost three seasons after he scored three goals and accumulated six points in two games.
He scored both game-winning goals versus Lake Erie and Walsh in 2-1 overtime finals as Malone improved to 6-7-1 in league play.
Finelli scored twice - the game-tying goal against Lake Erie and the golden goal in overtime in the 93rd minute – to help key the Pioneers to victory.
His next game produced the same overtime heroics, the golden goal this time scored past regulation at the 91:16 mark. He now has five goals on the season to lead the team.