MONTREAL – Chris Cinelli-Faia, a physical and health education senior with the McGill University Redbirds, was among the major soccer award winners announced Tuesday, by the Reseau du sport etudiant du Quebec.

The 22-year-old from Dollard des Ormeaux, Que., has become the third recipient in team history to earn the RSEQ men's soccer award for leadership and community service. Two of his teammates – midfielder Reese Carlow, an arts freshman from Osaka, Japan and defender Bilal Bouchemella, a computer science freshman from Ahuntsic, Que., – were named to the RSEQ all-rookie team.

Cinelli-Faia, who merited Academic All-Canadian status and is a member of the Principal's Student-athlete Honour Roll, is expected to graduate next spring but planning on returning for a master's degree in education. On the field, the acrobatic 5-foot-7, 159-pound goalkeeper returned from a training camp injury in time to start in seven of the team's 12 regular season games. He posted a 2-3-2 record with one shutout, while registering a 2.29 goals-against average (630 minutes played, 16 goals against) and a .692 save percentage (36 saves, 52 shots).
 
Cinelli-Faia serves as co-chair of the team's food drive in support of the Old Brewery Mission, which provides meals and other essential needs for homeless people in Montreal. He volunteers as a social coordinator with the Student Association of Physical Education and Kinesiology (SAPEK), a student-run organization that seeks to promote the academic and social prosperity of students by fostering their well-being through workshops and professional development opportunities.
 
In addition, Cinelli-Faia also acts as co-chair of the soccer team's Seeds of Change fundraiser which has generated close to $40,000 over the last four years. He was profiled by the McGill Alumni Association for a university-wide fundraising campaign. He has also worked as a lifeguard and served as a volunteer goalkeeper coach at various summer and soccer camps, including the Pierrefonds and Pointe Claire soccer associations.

2021 RSEQ MEN'S UNIVERSITY SOCCER AWARDS & ALL-STARS

PLAYER OF THE YEAR AWARD:
Guy-Frank Essome-Penda, Montréal

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR AWARD:
Anthony Phelps, Concordia

COACH OF THE YEAR AWARD:
Pat Raimondo, Montréal

LEADERSHIP & COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD:
Chris Cinelli-Faia, McGill

FIRST TEAM ALL-STARS
Guy-Frank Essome-Penda, Montréal
Mohammad Rezza Nafar, Concordia
Maxime Boucher, UQTR
Heikel Jarras, Laval
Quentin Paumier, Montréal
Anthony Phelps, Concordia
Pape Demba Beye, UQTR
Kareem Sow, Montréal
Guillaume Pianelli Balisoni, UQTR
Doryan Soualem, Laval
Félix Goulet, Montréal

SECOND TEAM ALL-STARS
Wassim Chaouki, Laval
Jérémy Ménard, Laval
Alberto Correra, Concordia
Alexis Stevens, Montréal
Jean-Philippe Lévesque, Laval
Émile Nantel, Montréal
Corentin Artaillou, UQTR
Sean Holmes, Concordia
Olivier D'anjou, Montréal
Paul Mortas, Montréal
Antoine Goulet, Sherbrooke

ALL-ROOKIE TEAM
Anthony Phelps, Concordia
Jasmin Couture, Laval
Reese Carlow, McGill
Alexis Stevens, Montréal
Bryan Gnaly, Sherbrooke
Hugo Seyer, UQTR
Jérémy Ménard, Laval
Olivier D'Anjou, Montréal
Bilal Bouchemella, McGill
Doryan Soualem, Laval
Jordy Kerlegrand, Concordia


SOURCE:
Earl Zukerman
Sports Information Officer
Athletics & Recreation
McGill University
514-398-7012 (Off.)
m.athletics.mcgill.ca (mobile website)
www.mcgillathletics.ca
earl.zukerman@mcgill.ca