Oneonta Sports Information Department

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The United Soccer Coaches announced the 2023 NCAA Division III Men's All-Americans on Thursday and SUNY Oneonta's senior John Bernardi (Mahopac, N.Y./Mahopac) and junior Ali Somow (Utica, N.Y./Proctor) were two of the 50 individuals honored. In their first time receiving the recognition, Bernardi and Somow were both named to the All-American Third Team.

"These All-American honors reinforce our belief that John and Ali are two of the best players in all of division three," said head coach Iain Byrne. "It is the ultimate athletic award for an athlete and richly deserved."

Prior to the All-American selections, Bernardi and Somow were named SUNYAC's first team All-Conference and Region III's first team All-Region this season.

Bernardi started 21 games for Oneonta and captained the defense that limited opponents to 9.0 total shots and 0.73 goals per game, which earned him the SUNYAC Fred Holloway Defensive Player of the Year. He recorded three goals and an assist for seven points, and played 1,842 minutes, the third most on the team.

Somow started 21 games for the Red Dragons in his first season with the team. He finished the year with six goals including four game-winners and had the second most assists in the SUNYAC with eight for 20 points, the seventh most in the conference.  

Oneonta finished the season 15-4-3 overall and advanced all the way to the second round of the NCAA men's soccer tournament.

This year's All-Americans will be recognized for their accomplishments at the United Soccer Coaches All-America Ceremony & Reception on Saturday, Jan, 13, 2024 at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, California, in conjunction with the United Soccer Coaches Convention.