Florida Tech Defender Sjur Drechsler Named United Soccer Coaches National Player of the Year

First Florida Tech Panther to receive the honor

Florida Tech junior defender Sjur Drechsler has been named the Division II National Player of the Year for the 2023 season by United Soccer Coaches. The Stavanger, Norway, native is the first Florida Tech Panther to receive the honor. (Florida Tech image)

Drechsler was one of the most reliable players in the nation, starting 20 games and appearing on the field for a team-high 1,761 minutes of a possible 1,970 minutes for a 89.39 percent of possible on-field time.

BREVARD COUNTY • MELBOURNE, FLORIDA – Florida Tech junior defender Sjur Drechsler has been named the Division II National Player of the Year for the 2023 season by United Soccer Coaches. The Stavanger, Norway, native is the first Florida Tech Panther to receive the honor.

“We are all so happy for Sjur,” said head coach Robin Chan.

“He has had another fantastic season as a key player protecting our goal but also has helped the team with some vital goals in the postseason to lead us forward into the Final Four.”

In his second season anchoring the defense, Drechsler extended the program’s deepest postseason run in 30 years with a goal against West Florida in the final minute of overtime to send the match into penalties. He also notched a goal in the Regional Final against Limestone in the 69th minute.

“Sjur is thoroughly deserving of this honor. He is a special player but, more importantly, a high-character person and a great teammate,” Chan said. “I’m sure Sjur will be the first to acknowledge that this award is not just for him but also for his teammates and the staff who have all played their part in our special journey.”

Drechsler was one of the most reliable players in the nation, starting 20 games and appearing on the field for a team-high 1,761 minutes of a possible 1,970 minutes for a 89.39 percent of possible on-field time.

Playing at center back, Drechsler also tallied four goals and two assists.

Florida Tech junior defender Sjur Drechsler collected USC First Team All-American honors for the second straight year while also being named to the USC All-South Region First Team, D2 CCA All-South Region First Team, All-SSC First Team, SSC All-Tournament Team, and NCAA All-Tournament Team.

Drechsler collected USC First Team All-American honors for the second straight year while also being named to the USC All-South Region First Team, D2 CCA All-South Region First Team, All-SSC First Team, SSC All-Tournament Team, and NCAA All-Tournament Team.

With Drechsler on the back line, the Panthers finished with a 13-3-5 overall record and a 7-1-2 record in the Sunshine State Conference. For the second consecutive season, Tech appeared in the SSC Tournament final.

The Panthers were crowned the NCAA Super Region 2 champions with a 3-2 overtime win against Limestone and appeared in the Final Four for the first time since 1993.

In Drechsler’s two seasons, the Panthers have posted the program’s two highest winning percentages since 1993 and 1994.