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REDHAWKS FALL TO SYRACUSE IN NCAA THIRD ROUND
With both programs looking for their first trip to the NCAA Division I men's soccer quarterfinal round, it was the sixth-seeded Syracuse Orange punching their ticket with a 3-1 win over the 11th-seeded Seattle U Redhawks at SU Soccer Field in Syracuse, N.Y.
The Orange struck right away as Miles Robinson got a head on a corner kick by Liam Callahan in the second minute and pushed the ball past SU keeper Shane Haworth for the 1-0 lead. Syracuse made it 2-0 in the 20th minute as Callahan served a ball into the box and Noah Rhynhart finished for his fourth goal of the season.
David Olsen cut the Orange lead in half in the 67th minute, gathering a loose ball in the net and punching it in for the score. Syracuse answered back just over three minutes later as Julian Buescher fed a free kick into the box and Kamal Miller finished for his third goal of the season.
Syracuse held a slight advantage on shots, 12-11. The Orange had seven corners, compared with three for the Redhawks. Haworth finished with three saves for Seattle U while Olsen led the offense with five shots, including a pair on goal.
SEATTLE U BEATS UCLA TO ADVANCE TO SWEET SIXTEEN
Seattle U's Hamza Haddadi beat the UCLA keeper on a one-on-one in the 40th minute to send the 11th-seeded Redhawks to the third round of the NCAA Men's Soccer tournament with a 1-0 win on Sunday evening at Championship Field in Seattle.
The Redhawks held an 8-5 advantage on shots in the first half and the offensive pressure paid off as Nick Prasad fed a ball down the field and Haddadi was able to get a slow roller past Bruin keeper Juan Cervantes for the lead.
UCLA tried to dial up the pressure in the second half but Seattle U keeper Shane Haworth was a wall in net, making six saves to preserve the win. The Bruins finished the match with a 15-12 advantage on shots but the Redhawks held on for the win.
TRIO NAMES NSCAA ALL-AMERICANS
Seattle U sophomore forward David Olsen became the first WAC men's soccer player since 1999 to be named First Team All-America, as announced by the National Soccer Coaches Association of American (NSCAA) on Friday morning. Teammate Kyle Bjornethun and UNLV forward Danny Musovski earned Second Team honors.
Olsen led the conference in shots (95) and goals (16) and tied with Musovski for the lead in points (33) as the Redhawks advanced to the third round of the NCAA Division I men's soccer tournament before bowing out against College Cup participant Syracuse. His 95 shots are tied for the WAC single sason record and his 10 goals in conference play also tied him for the WAC single season record, coincidently with SMU's Mohammed Fahim, who was the last WAC men's soccer player to earn first team honors.
Bjornethun and Musovski earned national honors after being named WAC Defensive and Offensive Players of the Year respectively.
WAC DOMINATES NSCAA ALL-WEST REGION SELECTIONS
After an outstanding season across the conference, 14 WAC men's soccer players have been named All-West Region by the National Soccer Coaches Association of American (NSCAA). Five players were named First Team selections, including two from champion Seattle U.
Redhawks Kyle Bjornethun and David Olsen represented Seattle U on the first team. Utah Valley defender Alex Neff was also named First Team, as were CSU Bakersfield midfielder Christian Duarte and UNLV forward Danny Musovski.
On the second team, Utah Valley midfielder Aaron Meyer and forward Skyler Milne led the Wolverines. Also earning Second Team honors were Seattle U goalkeeper Shane Haworth, Incarnate Word defender Jonathan Camarena, UNLV defender Bradley Kamdem and San José State forward Rory Knibbs.
Three players earned third team honors as Seattle U midfielder Sergio Rivas, Houston Baptist forward George Kelley and CSU Bakersfield forward Julian Zamora earned honors.
UTAH VALLEY FALLS IN FIRST ROUND OF NCAA TOURNAMENT
The Utah Valley Wolverines already made school history by earning an at-large selection to the 2015 NCAA Men's Soccer Tournament and the second-year program hoped to do it again on Thursday night but fell short against the SMU Mustangs, 2-0, in Dallas.
SMU opened the scoring in the 24th minute as Brenden Lee gathered the rebound following a save by Utah Valley keeper Derek Wilcox on a shot by Mauro Cichero and fired it in for the 1-0 lead.
The Wolverines kept battling into the second half but the Mustangs made it 2-0 in the 61st minute after Idrissa Camara threaded a ball through the legs of Wilcox for the score.
The Mustangs held a slight 12-11 advantage on shots. Wilcox finished with a pair of saves for the Wolverines while SMU keeper Michael Nelson made three saves. UVU had 10 corner kicks, compared with three for the Mustangs and the Wolverines were whistled offside twice, including on a goal-scoring opportunity in the second half.
SEATTLE U'S OLSEN NAMED MAC HERMANN SEMIFINALIST
Seattle University men's soccer's David Olsen has been named one of 15 men's semifinalists for the 2015 MAC Hermann trophy, the most coveted award in college soccer. The award, administered by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA), is the organization's highest individual intercollegiate award.
The full list of men's semifinalists is as follows: Brandon Allen (Georgetown), Amass Amankona (Dayton), Julian Buescher (Syracuse), Jonathan Campbell (North Carolina), Mauro Cichero (SMU), Paul Clowes (Clemson), Reagan Dunk (Denver), Nick DePuy (UCSB), Kyle Fisher (Clemson), Jack Harrison (Wake Forest), Fabian Herbers (Creighton), Jordan Morris (Stanford), David Olsen (Seattle), Timo Pitter (Creighton), and Brandon Vincent (Stanford).
SU'S FEWING NAMED NSCAA WEST REGIONAL COACH OF THE YEAR
After a captivating and historic season, Seattle University men's soccer head coach Pete Fewing and his staff has been honored by being named the 2015 NSCAA West Regional Coach of the Year. This marks the sixth such award for Fewing and his staff, who has now won at three different levels (also NCAA DII and NAIA).
Fewing is one of eight NCAA DI regional honorees joined by Stanford's Jeremy Gunn (Far West), South Florida's George Kiefer (East), Georgetown's Brian Wiese (Great Lakes), Elon's Chris Little (Midwest), Rider's Charlie Inverso (Northeast), Clemson's Mike Noonan (South), and FIU's Scott Calabrese (Southeast).
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.
WAC WINNING
Seattle U's appearance in the third round of the NCAA Tournament was the third time the conference had a team advance that far. The last time was in 1997 as SMU lost a shootout to Saint Louis in the quarterfinal round.
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.
REWRITING HISTORY
With seven full seasons in the books, the men's soccer record book had some changes in store following the 2015 season. Seattle U's David Olsen tied the single season records for shots (95) and WAC goals (10), and also set a new WAC record for shots in a game with 11 against Utah Valley. Teammate Shane Haworth tied the conference record for shutouts in a season with 10. Utah Valley freshman Aaron Meyer tied the record for WAC assists with seven.
As a team, champion Seattle U set a new WAC record for shots (287) and tied the record for WAC wins with nine.
AMONG THE BEST
A number of 2015 WAC players earned their way onto the career lists this season. San José State's Rory Knibbs climbed to fifth in career points with 61 and third in career goals with 28. Grand Canyon's Alberto Sanchez-Garcia set a new top mark for shots in a career with 210 and also ranked seventh in points (54) and fifth in goals (23). Seattle U's Hamza Haddadi finished his career ranked 10th in career points (53) and seventh in career goals (22). UNLV's Danny Musovski and CSU Bakersfield's Julian Zamora ended the season tied for 10th all-time in goals scored with 20.
WAC goalkeepers also established their dominance as keepers from the 2015 season make up three of the top five career goals-against averages. Utah Valley's Collin Partee holds the top GAA in WAC history at 0.89, followed by Seattle U's Shane Haworth (0.95). CSU Bakersfield netminder Nicolas Clever ranks fifth at 1.19. In total saves, Haworth concludes his career with 162 saves as a member of the WAC, good for fifth all-time. Clever is also ont he list, tied for 10th with 131.
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.
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.
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.