Five Men's Soccer Players Earn All-America from NSCAA

HADLEY, Mass. – Five men's soccer players representing three different NESCAC teams have been honored by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) as All-America. Among the five individuals from the conference, two landed on the First Team - defenders Sean Bishop of Bowdoin and Harrison Watkins of Middlebury, the 2010 NESCAC Player of the Year. In addition, Bowdoin head coach Fran O'Leary has earned NSCAA Regional Coach of the Year recognition.

Starting 20 games and posting a goal and three assists, Bishop was part of a Polar Bear defensive unit which posted a 0.54 goals against average, second among NESCAC teams, and 14 shutouts in 2010. He earned All-NESCAC and All-America First Team honors for the first time in his career this fall as he helped Bowdoin record the most wins in program history (15) and reach the semifinals of the NCAA Tournament for the first time ever.

The 2010 NESCAC Player of the Year, Watkins was one of four individuals to repeat on the NSCAA All-America First Team this year. The dynamic back was part of a defense that allowed just 11 goals over 21 matches while also tallying five times, as he matched the career-high total he achieved a year ago. The Panther defense stymied opponents all season long and Watkins was a key component to their success. Through 21 games, Middlebury has posted 14 shutouts and posted a league-low 0.51 goals against average. The two-time All-NESCAC First Team honoree was a part of one of the most successful periods in program history. The Panthers went 59-13-9 over his four years with a school-record 18 wins and a first-ever NCAA title in his rookie season, two NESCAC crowns, and four consecutive trips to the conference title game.

On the All-America Second Team from the NESCAC were Middlebury junior goalkeeper Tim Cahill and Williams senior defender Joe Vella. Ranking among the national leaders in goals against average this season, Cahill finished first overall among conference netminders with a 0.53 GAA while playing nearly every minute of every game. Cahill earned an .825 save percentage, a 16-4-1 record, and 12 shutouts in helping his team return to the NCAA Tournament this season. The All-Conference First Team honoree started the year by not allowing a goal over the Panthers’ first seven games.

Vella, who was promoted to the All-NESCAC First Team this fall after being a part of the Second Team a year ago, scored four goals and assisted on a fifth goal while anchoring an Eph defense with a 0.82 goals against average.

Rounding out the selections on the NSCAA All-America teams was Williams senior forward Charles Romero, who garnered Third Team plaudits. The two-time All-Conference First Team member led the Ephs offense with 25 points on nine goals and seven assists for 25 points over 17 games.

Named NESCAC Coach of the Year for the first time during his six-year tenure with the Polar Bears, O'Leary was selected by voting by members of the NSCAA.

The Regional Coaches of the Year will be joined on the ballot for the NSCAA National Coach of the Year by coaches from each of the four national championship semifinal teams. Winners of the national award will be announced at the annual NSCAA Awards Banquet, which will be held Friday evening, January 14, at the Hilton Baltimore in conjunction with the 2011 NSCAA Convention.