CUMBERLAND — There is plenty that the Bishop Walsh coaching staff likes about defender Dylan Dunn.
The list is long, but likely at the very top is the fact that he will be returning next year.
Dunn, a junior and three-year starter who led the Spartans to one of the best turnaround seasons in area history, was recently voted the Joe Rowan High School Soccer Defensive Player of the Year by area head coaches.
Joe Rowan
Defensive Player of Year
2009 - Dylan Dunn, Bishop Walsh
2008 - Luke Tompkins, Allegany
2007 - Sam Hawkins, Bishop Walsh
2006 - (tie) Neal Eshleman, Bishop Walsh
Sam Hawkins, Bishop Walsh
2005 - Eric Wood, Northern Garrett
2004 - (tie) Michael Cunningham, Beall
Garrett Mathews, Allegany
2003 - Lenny Youngblood, Beall
2002 - Shane McDade, Allegany
2001 - (tie) Ryan Sprouse, Keyser
Bryan Schwalm, Southern Garrett
2000 - Woody Kenner, Northern Garrett
1999 - Craig Zollner, Bishop Walsh
1998 - Brian DeHaven, Mt. Savage
1997 - Mark Miller, Mt. Savage
1996 - Jon Miller, Westmar
1995 - Brad Thomas, Beall
1994 - Tim Reikie, Flintstone
1993 - John Durst, Mt. Savage
1992 - Scott Llewellyn, Westmar
1991 - Mike Dorman, Bishop Walsh
1990 - Joe Shimko, Mt. Savage
Dunn will receive the award at the 62nd Dapper Dan Sports Banquet on Jan. 31, at the Ali Ghan Shrine Club. The dinner starts at 4 o’clock and the awards program begins at 5.
A three-year starter and mainstay on the Bishop Walsh defense, Dunn was a major reason the Spartans ran up a 16-5 record while winning the City championship and both Bi-State leagues.
The 16 wins were a 9-win improvement from the previous season. Dunn will be one of 14 players returning to the Spartans next year.
Dunn was also first-team All-Area, first-team All-City and first-team All-Bi-State. He is the fourth BW player to win the defensive player of the year award in the last four seasons, following Sam Hawkins (2007) and co-winners Neal Eshleman and Sam Hawkins (2006).
Dunn’s physical and mental toughness, combined with speed and strong all-around skills was a key in the Spartans posting 11 shutouts, including a 1-0 win over Avalon in the Private Schools state semifinals. BW allowed one goal or less in 13 games, and only 27 for the 21-game season.
“Dylan stood out among area players in the defensive set. He’s one of the fastest players on our team and is able to use both feet well,’’ said BW assistant coach and defensive coordinator Joe Rowan. “He’s also good in the air and controlled the majority of head balls played his way.
“He’s a fierce competitor and one of the toughest but cleanest players in the area. Most teams did not try to attack us in the middle of the field because of Dylan’s presence.”
Rowan said in BW’s 3-4-3 set the most important position on the field is center defender. From there, Dunn was responsible for the positioning of the defending and midfield lines. If a team attacked wide, Dunn moved to a position to sweep the outside defenders. If teams attempted to to attack the middle of the field, Dunn moved up into a wedge defense to neutralize the attack.
Dunn was responsible for calling out all of BW’s marks on defense. He played a matchup zone in the middle of the field with his main focus being attacking the ball. Dunn also moved up to take part in all of BW’s corner kicks and set plays on offense.
Rowan said Dunn had his best games in the Spartans’ biggest games, especially a 1-0 win over Allegany and a 2-1 win over Fort Hill late in the season that gave BW the City title. After allowing five goals in the first two City games, the BW defense allowed just the one in the final two, and that one came on a penalty kick.
“Dylan has shown steady improvement every year and is a great kid to coach and is well-liked by his teammates,’’ Rowan said. “He will be counted on next year to be a more verbal leader as well as continuing to lead by example in all that he does.”
For Dapper Dan Banquet ticket information, call The Original Sports Shoppe at (301) 722-5490.
Mike Mathews is a Cumberland Times-News sportswriter. Contact Mike Mathews at mmathews@times-news.com.
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