MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Following a historic 2026 campaign and a run to the Southern States Athletic Conference Semifinals, the UT Southern Firehawks were well represented in the conference's annual men's soccer year-end awards announced Wednesday evening.
Three Firehawks earned spots on the SSAC All-Freshman Team, 11 student-athletes were named to the Athletic Solutions All-Academic Team, and Stephen Bailey represented the program on the Champions of Character Team.
Leading the Firehawks' postseason honors were freshmen Zen Tanaka, Jinto Kanagase, and Devonte Allen, who were each selected to the SSAC All-Freshman Team. The trio played key roles throughout the season as UT Southern advanced to the conference semifinals and authored one of the biggest upsets in the NAIA postseason by defeating No. 2 nationally ranked Life University in the SSAC Quarterfinals.
Firehawks Earn Three All-Freshman Team Selections
Zen Tanaka | Defender
Jinto Kanagase | Forward
Devonte Allen | Midfielder
The three selections tied for the most among the conference's freshman honorees and showcased the young talent that helped drive the Firehawks' success throughout the season.
11 Firehawks Named Academic All-Conference
UT Southern also placed 11 student-athletes on the Athletic Solutions All-Academic Team:
The recognition highlights the Firehawks' commitment to excellence both on the field and in the classroom.
Senior Stephen Bailey was selected to the SSAC Champions of Character Team, recognizing his commitment to integrity, leadership, respect, servant hood, and sportsmanship throughout the season.
Season Still Alive
The postseason journey continues for UT Southern after its upset victory over No. 2 Life University in the SSAC Quarterfinals.
The seventh-seeded Firehawks will return to action Thursday night in Montgomery, Alabama, where they will face third-seeded and No. 19 nationally ranked William Carey University in the SSAC Semifinals.
Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. at the Emory Folmar Soccer Complex.
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