Battery's Jose Cuevas Named USL PRO Rookie of the Year - Live5News.com | Charleston, SC | News, Weather, Sports

Charleston Battery midfielder Jose Cuevas has been named the USL PRO Rookie of the Year following an outstanding first season as a professional soccer player.  Cuevas scored 7 goals and added 5 assists in 27 games.  Cuevas and the Charleston Battery take on the Wilmington Hammerheads in Saturday's USL PRO Championship game at Blackbaud Stadium.

Cuevas's rookie season got off to a dream start with two goals on his debut to lead the Battery to a 2-1 over the Richmond Kickers.  Cuevas is the first Charleston Battery player to receive USL Rookie of the Year honors. 

A native of Farmersville, CA Jose Cuevas originally impressed the Battery coaching staff at the 2011 USL Men's Player Combine and spent most of the 2011 pre-season with the Battery appearing in the Carolina Challenge Cup games. Cuevas returned to the PDL's Fresno Fuego for the 2011 season after playing for them in 2009 and 2010.  

USL PRO honored all of its top performers of the season on Friday at the USL PRO Championship awards luncheon held at the Three Lions Club at Blackbaud Stadium. Voting for the awards was conducted by league coaches and managers.

USL PRO 2012 AWARDS

MVP - Kevin Molino, Orlando City

Coach of the Year - Adrian Heath, Orlando City

Defender of the Year - Troy Roberts, Rochester Rhinos

Rookie of the Year - Jose Cuevas, Charleston Battery

Goalkeeper of the Year - Kristian Nicht, Rochester Rhinos

Nicki Paterson and Jose Cuevas named to USL PRO All-League First Team

Charleston Battery midfielder Nicki Paterson and forward Jose Cuevas have both been named to the USL PRO All-League First Team.  In his second season with the Battery Paterson enjoyed a stellar year scoring 12 goals and adding 2 assists in all competitions.  Jose Cuevas, in his rookie pro season, also excelled, scoring 7 goals and adding 5 assists in 27 games played.

Saturday's opponent the Wilmington Hammerheads also have two players selected for the All-League teams.  The Hammerheads are represented by forward Corey Hertzog, who finished second in league scoring despite playing only 17 games, on the first team. Midfielder Bryce Taylor, who tallied five goals and three assists, was selected for the second team.