Babacar Niang has already racked up some decent honors in his two-year Pennington career.

He was the fourth Pennington player in a row to win the Area Player of the Year award (Satchel Cortet, 2015, Ibrahima Diop, 2016 and 2017, and Mansour Diop, 2018), after leading the Red Raiders to a fifth straight Mercer County Tournament title in stunning fashion, thanks to his 15 goals and 17 assists.

And now, heading (hopefully) into his senior campaign under Chad Bridges, Niang has just picked up an incredibly prestigious honor: he has been named as a First Team All-America by Top Drawer Soccer for the season.

Niang will head off to Wake Forest University, a 2019 NCAA Final Four participant which finished the season ranked number 3 in the nation, next fall. But before he goes, he wants to make sure he finishes off his high school experience in the best way possible.

I have to just keep working hard, Niang said. "The All-America award is very special to me, but it also gives me a little more motivation to continue getting better. I know with the help of my team mates, and the Pennington coaches and faculty, I can do that. I get so much support from the people here at the school, and they make my life easier.

I just have to keep working out there on the field.

Pennington's (8) Babacar Niang heads the ball away from Hightstown's Bryan Ortega as Pennington Boys Soccer defeats Hightstown 3-0 to move on to the MCT Final on Thursday at TCNJ. Larry Murphy | For The Times of Trenton

Niang will get some help from a returning All-Area player in the squad, and one that is returning to the fold. Junior defender Lucas Gessner is back to shore up the defense, while senior midfielder Jack Borden, who was All-Area as a freshman and sophomore before playing for the Red Bulls Academy last season, is back to solidify the middle of the pitch. There is also a strong group of freshmen coming into the program to replace three departed All-Area players: Luis Paul and Ousmane Gueye (who scored the double OT game-winner in the 2019 MCT Final) graduated, while 2018 Area Player of the Year Mansour Diop has left to join the Philadelphia Union Academy.

For now, there is the uncertainty hanging over the campaign due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Niang and the rest of the team are just preparing as though there will be soccer in October, and if there are no games, the scrimmages at practice might be better than most games they would have played anyway.

Right now, we have to just work hard, and get ready to play, Niang said. "We have to defend the Pennington legacy. It is hard for everyone right now, but we hope we are going to have a couple games in October.

We have such a good roster, and our practices are so competitive. We push each other to be better. We have some really good kids that came in: the freshman class is very, very good. We have Jack back, and Lucas, plus the rest of the older kids. We just hope we can play some games.

Whether or not they play, though, Niang continues the legacy of Pennington soccer with his awards, and is the clear favorite to repeat as Area POY if there is a season. It is something that he always thought he could do when he came to Pennington from Senegal, as long as he put in the time and effort.

For me, this award (All-America) is not a surprise, Niang said. Of course I thought it was possible. I know I have the talent to be there, I just have to keep working.

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The 2019 Colonial Valley Conference Player of the Year is also back with his team for 2020.

Evan Egnatovich was one of just two CVC players to make the All-Area squad last season, and one of four underclassmen. Egnatovich, who had 13 goals and 12 assists from the attacking midfielder position, will lead Allentown in search of a Colonial Division title.

Allentown's (5) Evan Egnatovich looks to advance the ball as Allentown Boys Soccer defeats Northern Burlington 4-1 in the CJ Group 3 Quarterfinals on 11/1/2019Larry Murphy | For The Times of Trenton

Originally posted here:

All-America Babacar Niang, the reigning Area Player of Year, back to lead Pennington - nj.com