York College senior Jon Ports (Baltimore, Md./McDonogh) has been honored as the 2009 NSCAA Division III Men's Soccer Player-of-the-Year. Ports becomes York's first national Player-of-the-Year in athletic department history.

In 2009, the senior Spartan tallied a team-high 23 points on seven goals, including a trio of game-winners, and nine assists. As the focal point of the Green and White attack, as well as opponent's defensive game plans, Ports led the Spartans to a 17-1-5 record, their first Capital Athletic Conference Tournament Championship since the 2006 campaign, and York's fifth straight appearance in the NCAA Tournament this year reaching the Sweet 16.

"This is a truly deserved honor to be considered the best player in the country from about 10,000 Division III men's soccer student-athletes," Spartan head coach Mark Ludwig said. "He is a special player that brings unmatched qualities to every game. It has been a pleasure to watch him progress not only as a player, but more importantly as a person. All these honors bestowed upon him the past three years are truly a testament to not only his abilities, but also his character and work ethic."

The two-time CAC Player-of-the-Year leaves the Spartan program after notching 33 goals, including 12 game-winners, while his 35 career assists ties him for first all-time. Ports' 101 career points stands as the third-best total in Spartan men's soccer history. The Spartans made three consecutive trips to the NCAA Tournament during Ports' time in the Green and White, reaching as far as the Elite Eight in 2007.

Additionally, Ports is one of only a handful of three-time first-team All-American in NCAA men's soccer history across all three divisions.

Ports started in each of York's 68 contests over the previous three campaigns, as he helped lead the Green and White to a remarkable 56-4-8 record, including 21-1-2 in CAC play, during that span.