Two from NESCAC Named Second Team All-America by NSCAA

Courtesy NSCAA

HADLEY, Mass. – Two players from two different NESCAC squads were honored by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) on Thursday as Second Team All-America. Williams senior back Phil Vestergaard (St. Petersburg, Fla.) was joined by Wesleyan junior midfielder Rory O'Neill (Silver Spring, Md.).

Seeing action in all 16 of the Ephs' outings this season, Vestergaard was third on the team in scoring with three goals and an assist. His three tallies this season were the first of his Williams career. Vestergaard, who was also honored on the defense of the All-NESCAC Second Team, announced in November, has played in every game for the Ephs over the past three years. Williams, which reached the semifinals of the NESCAC championship this year, finished first in the conference in goals allowed per game, allowing a paltry 0.62, and posted nine shutouts (3rd NESCAC).

Vestergaard is the 46th player under 33rd-year head coach Mike Russo to be named All-America.

O'Neill, an All-NESCAC First Team selection in 2011, was dominant in the middle for one of the league's best defense, yet he also paced a balanced Cardinal attack with a personal-best seven goals, five of which served as the game-winner for his team. Wesleyan went 11-3-3 overall and finished the regular season tied atop the conference standings with Amherst.

The 38 athletes honored on the NSCAA All-America teams will be recognized at the annual All-America Luncheon, to be held in the Kansas City Convention Center's Grand Ballroom on Saturday, Jan. 14, in conjunction with the 2012 NSCAA Convention in Kansas City, Mo.