BLOOMINGTON, Minn. – The Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) announced its 2024 men's soccer awards Monday and four Gusties received recognition. Jared Hecht highlighted the awards as the MIAC Defensive Player of the Year, garnering the award for the second time after receiving it in 2021 as well. Joe Flory, Owen Johnson, and Spencer Skjeldestad joined Hecht on the All-Conference team.
 
Playing center back, Hecht leads a defensive unit that has posted 11 shutouts so far this season, which is tied for eighth most in Division III this season. Hecht and the Gusties lead the MIAC with a team 0.74 goals against average. Hecht has been instrumental in the Gusties holding opponents to three or fewer shots on goal in 11 games this season, including two games with zero shots on goal, and four more with just one. The Apple Valley native also plays center forward and has tallied 13 points on five goals and three assists.
 
Hecht earns his fourth consecutive All-Conference honor, becoming the 16th player in MIAC history to become a four-time All-MIAC selection and the first in Gustavus men's soccer history.
 
The leading striker for the Gusties, Flory garners his first All-Conference accolade after leading the team with 24 points on 11 goals and two assists. In 18 games this season, Flory has three game-winning goals and boasts a .468 shots on goal percentage.
 
Johnson captures his third consecutive All-MIAC honor, becoming the 16th player in program history to become a three-time recipient. Johnson has been honored by the MIAC all four years with an honorable mention selection in 2021. This season, Johnson leads the team with nine assists, along with four goals for 17 points, which ranks second on the team. Earlier this season, Johnson set the program record for career assists and he currently sits at 46 in his career. Johnson leads the team with 56 shots and 23 shots on goal.
 
Playing on the back line, Skjeldestad earns his first All-Conference selection. Along with Hecht, Skjeldestad has helped the Gusties post 11 shutouts with a 0.74 goals against average. Playing in every game this season, Skjeldestad also has one goal – a game-winner – and one assist for three points.

Hecht and Skjeldestad also represented the Gusties on the MIAC All-Playoff Team. The honor was the first for both players after the conference established the postseason tournament team in the 2022 season. Hecht was a dual-threat in the playoffs, scoring a pair of goals within three minutes of each other in the team's semifinal 3-2 victory over Carleton. He added five shots in the title game, playing in 62 minutes between forward and center back. Skjeldestad played in all 180 minutes of playoff soccer for the Gusties, coming up with a number of key defensive stops.