DENVER —The Western Athletic Conference men’s soccer postseason award winners as selected by the league’s eight head coaches have been announced. WAC regular-season champion Seattle U led all teams with five players selected to the all-WAC team, including three on the first team and two on the second team.
Seattle U senior forward Miguel Gonzalez was named the WAC's Offensive Player of the Year, while Bakersfield senior defender Scott Luedtke received Defensive Player of the Year honors. Seattle U defender Kyle Bjornethun was named the league’s Freshman of the Year and Seattle U’s Pete Fewing was named Coach of the Year.
Gonzalez, from Yelm, Wash. (Yelm HS), led the WAC during conference play with seven goals, 50 shots and 17 points. He also had the most game-winning goals in WAC play with three against San Jose State, UNLV and Bakersfield. In all games, Gonzalez leads the WAC in goals with 12 and points with 27.
Luedtke, from Dallas, Texas (Pearce HS), started all 10 conference matches for Bakersfield as the Roadrunners finished in second place in the standings. As the center back, Luedtke set the defense for Bakersfield and acted as a coach on the field. Offensively, he had a game-winning goal and one assist against San Jose State and added three shots on goal in conference play.
Bjornethun, from Snohomish, Wash. (Glacier Peak HS), helped the Redhawks defense limit its conference opponents to just nine goals in 10 matches, the best mark in the WAC. Seattle U posted four shutouts during conference games. He was also in the top 10 in assists in WAC play with two.
Fewing, who is in his 20th season with Seattle U, led the Redhawks to an undefeated mark in conference play (7-0-3). The record earned the program the WAC’s regular season title and the top seed in this week’s conference tournament. Overall, Fewing is 231-146-31 during his career with Seattle U.
First Team All-WAC
F-Alberto Sanchez Garcia, So., Grand Canyon
F-Jordan Rideout, Jr., Kansas City
F-Sal Bernal, Jr., UNLV
F-Miguel Gonzalez, Sr., Seattle U
MF-Christian Duarte, So., Bakersfield
MF-Kristopher Tyrpak, Sr., Houston Baptist
MF-Ian Hines-Ike, So., Seattle U
D-Caleb Downey, Sr., Air Force
D-Scott Luedtke, Sr., Bakersfield
D-Walter Kromholz, Sr., Houston Baptist
GK-Jake Feener, Sr., Seattle U
Second Team All-WAC
F-Brian Klazura, Sr., Air Force
F-Tobenna Uzo, Fr., Houston Baptist
F-Rory Knibbs, Fr., San Jose State
MF-Joe Masumiya, Jr., Bakersfield
MF-Gustavo Alvarado, Jr., Houston Baptist
MF-Tato Chiaparro, Jr., Kansas City
MF-Rodrigo Fuentes, So., UNLV
D-Kyle Mellies, Jr., UNLV
D-Kyle Bjornethun, Fr., Seattle U
D-Bobby Segal, Sr., Seattle U
GK-Ryan Harding, Jr., UNLV
Offensive Player of the Year: Miguel Gonzalez, Sr., F, Seattle U
Defensive Player of the Year: Scott Luedtke, Sr., D, Bakersfield
Freshman of the Year: Kyle Bjornethun, D, Seattle U
Coach of the Year: Pete Fewing, Seattle U
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