Two Simon Fraser University soccer players were named to the NCAA Division II All-American team.
Clan midfielder Chris Barholz and defender Magnus Kirstensen both earned spots on the second team as compiled by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America.
Bargholz and Kristensen were also named All-Americans in last week’s Daktronics voting, which is chosen by the NCAA’s sports information directors.
The pair led SFU back to the NCAA national final four for a second straight season after the Clan had clinched a second consecutive NCAA west region title and fourth Great Northwest conference banner in a row.
Bargholz was named the conference player of the year in 2013, scoring four goals and adding seven assists in 17 games for the Clan.
Kristensen was the conference’s freshman of the year and all-conference first team pick. He started in 23 matches this season, recording three goals and an assist, while helping the Clan defence allow just 0.87 goals per game - the third lowest goals against average in the conference.
Movin’ up in Cup
SFU moved up from 20th to 12th place in the most recent Directors’ Cup NCAA Division II standings.
The eight-point climb came after the Clan’s semifinal finish at the NCAA nationals last week and an earlier top-10 showing by the women’s cross-country team at the nationals.
SFU is currently the second highest ranked Great Northwest conference program behind Western Washington University. WWU moved up from 12th place to eighth in the polling.
– Tom Berridge
