'On This Day' Roberts, Birklin & Paolini Tabbed for Postseason Conference Distinctions

'On This Day' is a Wells College Athletics feature series taking a look back on events that occurred on this day, Nov. 14, twelve years ago in 2008.

Aurora, New York – Delroy Roberts was named to the NEAC Second Team All-Conference and goalie Mike Birklin was named to the NEAC Third Team All-Conference on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2008.

Both Roberts and Birklin helped lead the Express to a 5-9-2 record and the sixth seed in the NEAC playoffs.

Roberts led all Express scorers with seven goals (ninth in the conference), three assists, and 17-points (eighth in the conference) in 16 games.

Birklin finished the year with a record of 4-7-1 with two shutouts. Birklin faced 178 shots, saving 86, and recording a 1.94 goals-against average on the year, ranking him in the top ten in each category for the season. Birklin was one of three tri-captains on the team with Nick Accordino and Derek Wheeler.

In addition, Wells College head men's soccer coach Mike Paolini was named NEAC Coach of the Year in a vote by his peers.

Paolini first came to Wells back in 2005 and was charged with starting the first men's soccer team here at Wells. He has since turned the men's soccer program into a regional contender, taking the Express to back-to-back NEAC playoff appearances in 2007 and 2008.

Before coming to Wells, Paolini was the assistant men's soccer coach at LeMoyne College where he helped lead the Dolphins to four straight playoff appearances.

Paolini was a four-year soccer standout at SUNY Plattsburg earning All-America,  All-SUNYAC, All-Region, and team MVP awards. After Plattsburg, Paolini went on to play professionally with the USL D3 New Hampshire Phantoms soccer club.