Muskego Student Named Gatorade Soccer Player of the Year

Not only did Muskego's Andrija Novakovich score 41 goals this season, but he has also been named Gatorade Wisconsin Boys Soccer Player of the Year.

The Gatorade award, in collaboration with USA TODAY, recognizes not only outstanding athletic excellence, but also high standards of academic achievement and exemplary character demonstrated on and off the field, according to a release.

Novakovich is a finalist for the prestigious Gatorade National Boys Soccer Player of the Year award to be announced in May.

The 6-foot-4, 175-pound junior forward scored 41 goals and passed for 13 assists this past season, leading the Warriors (18-5-3) to the sectional final. An All-Region selection by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America, Novakovich was also a First Team All-State and First Team Classic 8 All-Conference honoree.

Novakovich has maintained 3.85 GPA in the classroom. Also a talented musician, he has volunteered locally on behalf of a food pantry and has served as a math tutor for elementary school students. 

Novakovich has already joined the 2014 recruiting class at Marquette University.

“He has a special skill set,” said Ben Voss, head coach at Madison Memorial High, in a release. “Technically he’s very sound and he can create a shot from anywhere. He’s big, fast, physical, great in the air, and he has great touch.

Past Gatorade National Player of the Year winners include Olympic soccer player Abby Wambach, New York Yankee Derek Jeter, WNBA player Candace Parker, retired Major League Soccer player Alexi Lalas, Olympic soccer player Heather O’Reilly and New York Jets' Mark Sanchez.