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SEATTLE U WINS 2015 WAC MEN'S SOCCER TOURNAMENT
After 110 minutes of soccer, the 2015 WAC Men's Soccer Tournament went to a shootout and after five rounds, it was the top-seed Seattle U Redhawks celebrating on the pitch after winning the shootout 5-4 over the second-seed Utah Valley Wolverines.
After a scoreless first half, Utah Valley's Alex Neff scored the match's first goal in the 64th minute on a free kick from just outside the box. It looked like the Wolverines might win their first WAC men's soccer tournament as the clock ticked down but Seattle U's Hamza Haddadi converted on a penalty kick in the 87th minute to tie the match at 1-1.
The Wolverines were forced to play a man down in overtime after keeper Collin Partee was shown a red card with less than a minute remaining following a foul outside the box. Despite the advantage, the Redhawks were unable to secure the game-winning goal in overtime, forcing the shootout.
Utah Valley's Skyler Milne took the first attempt in the shootout and his shot went off the crossbar, giving the Redhawks the opportunity they needed. Seattle U made all five attempts, including a clincher by Haddadi, to give them the WAC's automatic berth to the 2015 NCAA Men's Soccer Tournament.
THE ROAD TO THE COLLEGE CUP
For the fourth time in the history of WAC men's soccer and the first time since the sport returned to the conference prior to the 2013 season, multiple teams will be headed to the NCAA tournament. Seattle U earned the 11th overall seed and will play host to either Cal Poly or UCLA on Sunday evening while Utah Valley will make its tournament debut on Thursday at SMU.
SOPHOMORE SUCCESS
Only in their second year as a program, the Utah Valley Wolverines have already earned the respect of the NCAA men's soccer committee, earning an at-large bid to the tournament. South Carolina is believed to be the only other program to make the national tournament in its second season, which the Gamecocks did in 1979.
OLSEN HEADLINES ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM
Seattle U sophomore forward David Olsen was named 2015 WAC Men's Soccer Tournament MVP after scoring twice against CSU Bakersfield. He was joined by teammates Cameron Rohani, Sergio Rivas and Kyle Bjornethun. Runner-up Utah Valley was represented by Connor Salmon, Skyler Milne and Alex Neff. CSU Bakersfield's Mario Iniguez and Nick Clever represented the ‘Runners while UNLV's Kevin Partida and Danny Musovski represented the Rebels.
MUSOVSKI, BJORNETHUN LEAD ALL-WAC SELECTIONS
The Western Athletic Conference has announced its All-WAC men's soccer teams and major awards as selected by the league's 11 head coaches. UNLV's Danny Musovski was named WAC Offensive Player of the Year while Seattle U's Kyle Bjornethun was named WAC Defensive Player of the Year. Seattle U's Sergio Rivas was named WAC Freshman of the Year and Redhawks head coach Pete Fewing was named WAC Coach of the Year.
2015 First Team All-WAC
Danny Musovski, So., F, UNLV
David Olsen, So., F, Seattle U
Rory Knibbs, Jr., F, San José State
Jonathan Colunga, Jr., MF, San José State
Christian Duarte, Sr, MF, CSU Bakersfield
Rodrigo Fuentes, Sr., MF, UNLV
Kyle Bjornethun, Jr., D, Seattle U
Bradley Kamdem, Sr., D, UNLV
Alex Neff, Jr., D, Utah Valley
Jonathan Camarena, Sr., D, Incarnate Word
Shane Haworth, Sr., GK, Seattle U
2015 Second Team All-WAC
Marcelo Acuna, So., F, Houston Baptist
Karson Payton, So, F., Utah Valley
Skyler Milne, Jr., F, Utah Valley
Julian Zamora, So., F, CSU Bakersfield
Sergio Rivas, Fr., MF, Seattle U
Paul Hoffmeister, So., MF, Utah Valley
Ben Conway, Jr., MF, Incarnate Word
Nathan Aune, Fr., D, Seattle U
Ben Kern, Sr., D, Air Force
Sam Langston, Jr., D, Seattle U
Collin Partee, So., GK, Utah Valley
STATISTICALLY SPEAKING
Seattle U finished the regular season leading the WAC in shots (335), points (111), goals (42), goals allowed (15), goals against average (0.79) and shutouts (8). Incarnate Word and UNLV finished tied for the lead in assists with 28 while first-year program UTRGV led the league in saves with 85.
Individually, Seattle U's David Olsen lead the WAC in shots (76). UNLV's Danny Musovski was tops in points (32) and gaols (14). Utah Valley's Aaron Meyer finished the regular season with 11 assists. In goal, Seattle U's Shane Haworth recorded the top goals against average (0.75) and save percentage (.791). UTRGV's Leo Castillo saved a WAC-best 77 shots while Haworth also led the conference in shutotus with eight.
In conference-only play, Seattle U also led the league in shots (173), points (64), goals (24), shutouts (4) and tied with San José State for the lead in goals allowed (10). SJSU had the top goals against average in conference play at 0.95 while UNLV posted a league-best 19 assists. Individually, Seattle U's Olsen led the WAC in shots (46), points (21) and goals (10). UVU's Meyer had seven assists in WAC play while SJSU keeper Felix Peterman led the league in goals against average (0.83) and save percentage (.786). Grand Canyon's Kendyl Day led the WAC in saves with 44.
IN THE POLLS
Heading into the 2015 NCAA Tournament, Seattle U is ranked 11th nationally in both the Top Drawer Soccer Top 25 and the College Soccer News Top 30. The Redhawks are 13th in the latest National Soccer Coaches' Association (NSCAA) Top 25. Utah Valley is among those receiving votes in the CSN Top 30.
REGIONALLY RANKED
In the final regular season NSCAA West Regional Ranking, a pair of national seeds remained one-two as Denver stayed on top with Seattle U firmly in second. Utah Valley remained in fourth while UNLV dropped two spots to seventh. CSU Bakersfield finished the regular season ranked ninth.
AMONG THE BEST
When it comes to putting the ball in the net, the WAC is among the best conferences in the country, ranking second behind the Atlantic Coast Conference in total goals with 316 goals. The WAC is also second in game-winning goals (98), third in assists (249) and third in goals allowed (289).
ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE
Statistically one of the top men's soccer conferences in the country this season, the Western Athletic Conference is also shining in the classroom as 10 student-athletes have been honored as Academic All-District selections as selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA).
Houston Baptist led all teams with three players selected. Sophomore defender Bryan Brody, senior defender Sebastian Henke and senior forward George Kelley represented the Huskies. Incarnate Word had two players on the District 7 team as senior defender Andrew Grossman and senior forward Dylan Kelly were honored.
Utah Valley put two players on the District 8 team with the Wolverines represented by sophomore midfielder Paul Hoffmeister and junior midfielder Skyler Milne. UNLV senior forward Corey Ackley and senior defender Bradley Kamdem represented the Rebels while Seattle U senior forward Hamza Haddadi was also honored for outstanding achievement in the classroom.
SCORING IN THE CLASSROOM
Posting a team grade point average of 3.0 or higher, four WAC men's soccer teams have been honored by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America for success in the classroom.Houston Baptist, Grand Canyon, Seattle U and Utah Valley represented the WAC on the list of 305 spanning all divisions. It is the second time earning the honor for all four schools. In addition, the women's teams at all four schools were also honored by the NSCAA.
TOP OF THE CLASS
CSU Bakersfield midfielder Christian Duarte was selected as one of 30 men's soccer student-athletes listed as candidates for the 2015 Senior CLASS Award. To be eligible for the award, a student-athelte must be classified as an NCAA Division I senior and have notable achievements in four areas of excellence: community, classroom, character and competiton.
GOAL! GOAL! GOAL! GOAL!
Seattle U forward Hamza Haddadi made the most of his season opener, tying the WAC record for goals in a game with four. The feat was last completed by New Mexico's Justin Sells on 1996 against Fort Lewis.
WAC MEN'S SOCCER EXPANDS TO 11 TEAMS
For 2015, the WAC will be expanding to 11 teams with the addition of UT Rio Grande Valley. The league is made up of both full time members of the WAC and affiliates: Air Force (affiliate), CSU Bakersfield, Grand Canyon, Houston Baptist (affiliate), Incarnate Word (affiliate), Missouri-Kansas City, San José State (affiliate), Seattle U, UTRGV and Utah Valley. Regular-season play will consist of a single round-robin format between all 11 teams for a total of 10 matches. The points system will be used to determine conference standings. Each team will receive three points for a win and one point for a tie. The top six teams will advance to the WAC tournament Nov. 12-13 and 15. Grand Canyon and Incarnate Word are ineligible due to their transition from Division II to Division I.
ONES TO WATCH
Three WAC men's soccer players have already found themselves among the top college soccer players in the country as CSU Bakersfield's Christian Duarte and Julian Zamora and UNLV's Rodrigo Fuentes were among 30 players mentioned on the Missouri Athletic Club Hermann Trophy watch list. The MAC Hermann Trophy goes to the top male and female college soccer players, as voted upon by coaches across the country.