DENVER – Former University of Denver men's soccer forward Andre Shinyashiki (Sao Paulo, Brazil) has been named the Major League Soccer Rookie of the Year, MLS announced on Tuesday.
In 31 matches in his rookie season in Rapids burgundy, including 18 starts, Shinyashiki netted seven goals and added three assists in 1670 minutes in 2019.
Shinyashiki's MLS campaign was highlighted by scoring on his MLS debut in the snow against Portland, and netting the first brace of his career against Seattle in September at Dicks Sporting Goods Park, a performance that earned him MLS Player of the Week honors.
The fifth overall draft pick in January is the most decorated student-athlete in program history after earning a plethora of awards following his senior season, including the 2018 Senior CLASS Award, United Soccer Coaches' Scholar Athlete of the Year and MAC Hermann Trophy Finalist honors.
Shinyashiki made 83 appearances, including 67 starts, in his four-year Pioneer career, netting 51 goals and adding 15 assists. In 2018, Shinyashiki bagged 28 goals in 21 matches, including his first five career hat tricks and a four goal game in the Summit League opener at Omaha. Shinyashiki ranked first in the country in points per game (2.86), total points (60), goals per game (1.33), goals (28), game-winning goals (11) and shots on goal per game (2.86) last fall.
The First Team All-America selection finished with eight more goals than the next closest player, and two more game-winners in 2018. Shinyashiki's goals per game tally was the highest since Andrew Mittendorf (Lehigh) netted 24 in 18 matches (1.33) in 1998. The CoSIDA First Team Academic All-American's points per game mark was the most since Conor Casey (Portland) had 23 goals and seven assists in 18 matches in 1999 (2.94).
In 2018, Shinyashiki became Denver's record holder in single-season points (60), goals (28) and game-winning goals (11), while setting Denver's career records in all three categories as well (117/51/18). The Sao Paulo, Brazil, native's goal total in 2018 eclipsed Denver's previous career record goal tally of 27.
The Denver captain led a Pioneer senior class that finished their careers fifth in the country in wins at 61-11-10, while also finishing second in the country in percentage of points earned from matches (78.5).
UP NEXT:
Denver will continue its four-match road swing on Tuesday when the Pioneers battle Saint Louis in Missouri. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. MT, and the match will be broadcast live on ESPN+.
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Tickets for the 2019 Denver men's and women's soccer season are on sale now and can be purchased here.
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The University of Denver does not allow fans to bring outside food, drink or pets (with the exception of Bark in the Park Days) to the University of Denver Soccer Stadium.
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