OVERLAND PARK, Kan. – Charlotte 49ers redshirt senior goalkeeper Elliot Panicco was named the 2019 Senior CLASS Award winner in NCAA Division I men’s soccer, the organization announced Thursday.

Senior CLASS Complete Release
 
Panicco is the first Conference USA men’s soccer student-athlete and the fourth in league history to receive the honor. The redshirt senior joins UCF women’s soccer’s Tishia Jewell (2012), Memphis women’s soccer’s Lizzy Simonin (2011) and Rice baseball’s Cole St. Clair (2008) on the list of C-USA recipients.
 
An acronym for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School®, the Senior CLASS Award chosen by a vote of Division I men’s soccer coaches, national soccer media and fans, is given each year to the most outstanding senior student-athlete in Division I men’s soccer.
 
Established in 2001, the award is presented in 10 NCAA sports and focuses on the total student-athlete, encouraging students to use their platform in athletics to make a positive impact as leaders in their communities.
 
On the field, Panicco anchored a 49ers defense in 2019 that tallied eight shutouts and allowed just 14 goals across 20 matches. The Huntersville, North Carolina, product recorded a career-high 10 saves against No. 3 Clemson in the second round of the NCAA Tournament, helping force overtime against the Tigers.
 
He led C-USA with a 0.66 goals against average and a .808 save percentage. The redshirt senior was voted the league’s inaugural Goalkeeper of the Year this season for his performance between the posts. His 35 career shutouts is a Charlotte program record.
 
Panicco has excelled in the classroom, as well. The redshirt senior has been named to the C-USA Commissioner’s Honor Roll every year of his Charlotte career thus far. He received the C-USA Commissioner’s Academic Medal, given to those with a 3.75 cumulative grade-point average, for the 2018-19 academic year.
 
The goalkeeper dedicated time to give back to the Charlotte community as well, serving with Our Lady of Grace Catholic high school youth group, helping with a Miracle Network Dance Marathon and numerous youth soccer clinics. A strong leader in all facets, Panicco has helped the 49ers to three-straight C-USA championship finals matches and NCAA appearances in 2016, 2018 and 2019.