Drexel, Delaware players receive preseason conference honors

Drexel junior midfielder Erik Alexandersson and a trio of Delaware Blue Hens have been named to the preseason All-Colonial Athletic Association team.

All four hail from Europe.

A native of Gothenburg, Sweden, Alexandersson was a CAA All-Rookie selection following his freshman year in 2014 and was a third-team All-CAA choice last season. He has three career goals playing in more of a defensive role.

Delaware’s honorees include seniors Guillermo Delgado and Thomas de Villardi and junior Thibault Phillippe.

Delgado, of Tres Cantos, Spain, became the program’s first-ever three-time All-American after scoring 10 goals and adding four assists last season. He’s currently second in program history with 85 career points and 37 goals.

de Villardi, of Vincennes, France and Phillippe of Saint Brieuc, France are both central defenders who made the All-CAA First Team last season.

James Madison goalkeeper Kyle Morton, a West Chester native who spent time in the Philadelphia Union youth system before heading to college, was also made the preseason team.

Hofstra senior midfielder Joseph Holland was chosen as the preseason Player of the Year. Northeastern teammates Martin Nygaard and Ackim Mpofu, who both spent time over the summer with Reading United, were honorable mentions.

Drexel was picked to finish in last in the conference out of nine teams and Delaware was picked to finish second behind Hofstra.