HAMILTON, Ont. — The McMaster Marauders men's soccer team had four student-athletes recognized by the OUA following the 2026 season, highlighted by Miquel Riviere earning the Champion of EDI award, Damiano Refosco and Karl Espiro receiving First Team All-Star honours, and Ethan Cagalj being named a Second Team All-Star.

The recognition highlights the contributions of four Marauders who played important roles both on and off the pitch throughout the campaign.

Miquel Riviere | OUA Champion of EDI

Riviere earned the OUA Champion of EDI award in recognition of his leadership and commitment to advancing equity, diversity and inclusion within the McMaster community.

Serving as Treasurer of the McMaster Black Student Athlete Council, Riviere has played an important role in supporting initiatives that promote greater access to sport and opportunities for Black student-athletes.

His responsibilities include managing fundraising efforts and overseeing budget allocations for programs designed to increase participation and strengthen the student-athlete experience.

Beyond his financial responsibilities, Riviere has advocated for scholarships and bursaries aimed at reducing financial barriers and creating more equitable opportunities for students.

While balancing his academic commitments and responsibilities as a member of the Marauders men's soccer program, Riviere has demonstrated a commitment to creating positive change beyond athletics.

His recognition as Champion of EDI reflects his dedication to leadership, advocacy and building a more inclusive environment at McMaster.

Damiano Refosco | OUA First Team All-Star

Refosco earned OUA First Team All-Star recognition following another impressive campaign as a key contributor along McMaster's defensive line.

The veteran defender started all 12 regular-season matches, providing consistency and leadership for a Marauders back line that recorded four shutouts and allowed just 13 goals throughout the conference schedule.

Refosco also made an impact offensively, finishing the regular season with two goals and one assist for three points. He recorded 12 shots, including nine on target, finishing with a .750 shots-on-goal percentage.

Both of his goals came from the penalty spot, where he converted all two of his attempts during the campaign.

One of his standout performances came during McMaster's 4-1 victory over Guelph on September 25, when he contributed to the Marauders' offensive production in a convincing home win.

Two days later, Refosco delivered another important performance, scoring the game-winning goal from the penalty spot in a 1-0 road victory over Waterloo.

His ability to contribute at both ends of the pitch, combined with his consistency in the starting lineup, made him an important part of McMaster's success throughout the season.

Karl Espiro | OUA First Team All-Star

Espiro secured OUA First Team All-Star honours following a productive offensive campaign that established him as one of McMaster's most influential attacking players.

The Marauders forward started all 12 regular-season matches, recording one goal and a team-leading five assists for six points.

Espiro led McMaster with 32 shot attempts, including 13 on target, consistently creating opportunities and providing an attacking presence throughout the campaign.

His lone goal proved to be a game-winner, highlighting his ability to deliver in important moments for the Marauders.

Espiro played a key role in a McMaster attack that scored 17 goals during the regular season, including four against Guelph and three each against Algoma and Windsor.

His five assists accounted for half of McMaster's 10 recorded assists during conference play, demonstrating his importance in creating scoring opportunities for his teammates.

With his combination of offensive production, creativity and consistent involvement in the starting lineup, Espiro emerged as a key contributor to the Marauders' 2026 campaign.

Ethan Cagalj | OUA Second Team All-Star

Cagalj earned OUA Second Team All-Star recognition following a strong season between the posts for the Marauders.

The veteran goalkeeper started all 11 of his regular-season appearances, recording five wins, three draws and four shutouts while providing a reliable presence at the back.

Across 905 minutes and 54 seconds of action, Cagalj registered 60 saves and maintained a .833 save percentage, finishing with a 1.19 goals-against average.

One of his standout performances came during McMaster's 4-1 victory over Guelph on September 25, when he recorded 13 saves to help the Marauders secure an important conference victory.

Cagalj also played a crucial role in McMaster's 2-0 victory over York on October 4, helping the Marauders defeat one of the conference's top programs while recording another shutout.

His four clean sheets contributed to a McMaster defensive unit that conceded just 13 goals across 12 regular-season matches.

Cagalj continued to demonstrate his importance during the postseason, helping McMaster advance past Brock and Western to reach the OUA semifinals.

His consistency, shot-stopping ability and experience made him a central figure in the Marauders' defensive success throughout the campaign.

With Riviere earning recognition for his leadership beyond the pitch and Refosco, Espiro and Cagalj receiving All-Star honours for their performances throughout the season, the four Marauders demonstrated the impact of McMaster's men's soccer program both on and off the field.