Bitencourt, Green, Pontikis named to OCSA Academic All-Ohio Team

Between their play on the soccer pitch as well as their work in the classroom, the three captains on the 2024 Shawnee State men's soccer squad -- senior Eric Green and juniors Guilherme Bitencourt and Nikos Pontikis -- were each named as Ohio Collegiate Soccer Association (OCSA) honorees on the OCSA NCAA Men's Division II and NAIA Academic All-Ohio Team as announced by state officials within the OCSA.

Green, who made 78 saves in his 19 games in 2024, made 157 career saves over the course of his Shawnee State goalkeeping career. Green played and started 37 games across three seasons in an SSU uniform and averaged over four saves per game in 2023 and 2024, including a 1.62 goals against average mark during the 2023 season. Academically, Green holds a 3.86 GPA as an individual who also was a multi-year swimmer at Shawnee State.

Bitencourt, who was a key centerpiece to Shawnee State's defense, has appeared in 49 games and started 48 for the Bears already in his three seasons as a starter. Entering his fourth and final year at Shawnee State, Bitencourt has posted three goals, two assists and eight points -- going 2-for-2 on penalty kicks in 2024 to lead the Bears in that area. Bitencourt has a 3.45 GPA in plastics engineering technology.

Pontikis, who led Shawnee State in most statistical categories offensively, posted team-highs in goals (seven) and points (18) while tying for the team lead with four assists. The junior from Greece scored five goals in a four-game stretch from Sept. 3 to Sept. 14.

With their three OCSA Academic All-Ohio Team members, Shawnee State matched NCAA Division II Tiffin for the most individual honorees on the list.