MASL: St. Louis Ambush Clean Up with Five Regular Season Awards

Staff Writer
1 hour ago
2 min read

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ST. CHARLES, Mo. — Following a resurgent campaign that saw them push deep into the postseason, the St. Louis Ambush have been recognized as one of the premier squads in the Major Arena Soccer League. On Monday evening, the league announced its 2025-26 seasonal awards—voted on by MASL member teams and league staff—with the Ambush walking away with five prestigious honors.

The haul serves as a testament to a season defined by defensive grit and tactical discipline, as the Ambush finished fourth in the standings with a 13-5-6 record.

Locker Named Coach of the Year

Head coach Jeff Locker took home the league’s top coaching honor after leading St. Louis to their most successful season in recent memory. Under Locker’s guidance, the Ambush reached the Ron Newman Cup Semifinals, nearly upsetting the San Diego Sockers in a dramatic series.

Since taking the helm five seasons ago, Locker has transformed the franchise’s culture; the team has reached the playoffs three times under his tenure, compared to just once in the eight seasons prior to his arrival.

The Wall: Paulo Nascimento Sweeps Goalkeeping Honors

Goalkeeper Paulo Nascimento was the biggest individual winner of the night, capturing both Goalkeeper of the Year and a spot on the MASL Elite Six (First Team).

In his seventh season with the club, Nascimento was the league's ironman, leading the MASL in minutes played (1299:34). In a season where 13 of the Ambush's 24 games were decided by a single goal, Nascimento's league-leading metrics were the difference-maker:

Saves: 250 (2nd in MASL)
Save Percentage: .769 (2nd in MASL)
GAA: 4.53 (2nd in MASL)
Wins: 11 (T-3rd in MASL)

Second Team Standouts: Torrealba and Williamson

The Ambush’s balance was further highlighted by two selections to the MASL Second Team:

Daniel Torrealba (Midfielder): In his debut season with St. Louis, Torrealba became the engine of the offense. He appeared in every regular-season match, leading the team in goals (23), assists (13), and points (36). His three game-winning goals proved vital in the Ambush’s climb up the table.
Robert Williamson (Defender): Known affectionately as "Big Rob," Williamson anchored the league's most stubborn defensive units. He finished second in the MASL with 49 blocked shots while contributing five goals and five assists to the attack.

St. Louis Ambush Award Summary

Award	Recipient	Position
Coach of the Year	Jeff Locker	Head Coach
Goalkeeper of the Year	Paulo Nascimento	Goalkeeper
MASL Elite Six	Paulo Nascimento	Goalkeeper
MASL Second Team	Daniel Torrealba	Midfielder
MASL Second Team	Robert Williamson	Defender

While the Ambush's playoff run ended in the semifinals against San Diego, this slew of awards confirms that the 2025-26 season was a historic milestone for the club. Fans can find off-season updates and 2026-27 ticket information at stlambush.com.