RENO, Nev.– Reno 1868 FC announced the club’s 2019 award winners this week, including young player of the year (Sam Gleadle), attacker of the year (Corey Hertzog), defender of the year (Duke Lacroix), player of the year (Hertzog) and goal of the year (Danny Musovski v. Fresno FC).

Young Player of the Year – Sam Gleadle

English midfielder Sam Gleadle took home young player of the year honors, after a breakout 2019 season that saw him score five goals and notch four assists. Gleadle was with the club last season, but did not appear in any USL match. That changed in 2019. Gleadle appeared in 27 matches, including 16 starts to tally 1,634 minutes played.

Gleadle’s best moment of the year came in early July, when the native of University of New Mexico product scored twice and added an assist in a 4-0 win over Rio Grande Valley FC. Gleadle was the first Reno player to score multiple goals and earn an assist in 2019.

Defender of the Year – Duke Lacroix

Outside back Duke Lacroix was Reno’s ironman this year, playing all 90 minutes in each of the 34 matches he started. Lacroix led the team with over 3,000 minutes played, and posted a career high in goals and assists with three and six, respectively.

Lacroix led the team in tackles by a large margin, posting 69 on the season. Second on the list was 45. Lacroix was third in interceptions with 42. Finally, Lacroix was second on the team in passes with 1,415, and connected on 82% of them.

Goal of the Year – Danny Musovski v. Fresno FC (9/7/19)

In a season where Reno scored 73 goals, the best of the year proved to be forward Danny Musovski’s header in the 92nd minute against Fresno FC. The goal came just three minutes after Musovski’s first of the night, and tied the match up at two goals apiece.

Attacker of the Year/Player of the Year – Corey Hertzog

The 29-year-old had a career season in 2019, earning career highs for goals (19) and assists (6) in his first year with Reno. Last season, as a member of Saint Louis FC, Hertzog scored just four goals on a mere 41 shots. His 2018 conversion rate of 9.8% was more than doubled this season, converting on 23.8% of his 80 total shots.

Hertzog was able to double his assist total from 2018 to 2019 as well, from three to six.

Hertzog’s 18 regular season goals tied a club record, but including his playoff goal against Sacramento Hertzog scored more goals than anyone else in a single season in club history.