Three Demon Deacons Named All-Americans

Dec. 18, 2007

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - Three of Wake Forest men's soccer student-athletes were named All-Americans by the NSCAA, brining the Demon Deacon count to 17 nationally recognized players since 1988.

Pat Phelan

Senior Pat Phelan was named a First Team All-American, as voted by NSCAA coaches. Phelan splashed onto the Wake Forest soccer scene in 2004, entering as 2003 Gatorade Player of the Year. The Enfield, Conn. Native started in 18 games his first season, started all contests in 2005 and played in 17 games in the team's 2006 breakthrough season. As a member of the defensive line, Phelan helped post a record-setting 13 shutouts last year and followed up with an incredible 15 shutouts in 2007.

Phelan started all games this season for the Demon Deacons, making a smooth mid-season transition from defender to midfielder. In just his second game playing in the middle at the collegiate level, Phelan picked up his first career goals against Appalachian State on October 9. Following a game-winning penalty kick conversion in the 2nd minute, Phelan followed with another goal just four minutes later.

Sam Cronin

Junior midfielder Sam Cronin was named a Second Team All-American, following his key leadership role in taking the Demon Deacons to their first College Cup title in 2007. Cronin was named to the All-ACC First Team and ACC All-Tournament Team for his clutch efforts during conference season including back-to-back goals against Final Four opponent Virginia Tech during regular season play.

Cronin, a Winston-Salem, N.C. native, also assisted in two game-winning goals during the NCAA Tournament. The first, in Wake Forest's 1-0 win over Furman in the second round, and the second against Virginia Tech during the semifinals to push Wake into their first ever NCAA finals match.

Cody Arnoux

The youngest addition to Wake Forest's All-American slate is sophomore Cody Arnoux, who earned Third Team honors. Arnoux, of Wilmington, N.C., was the leading Demon Deacon striker, with 15 goals for 2007, an incredible improvement from is one goal season in 2006.

Arnoux netted five game-winners in 2007, including two over ACC schools (Clemson, Duke). During the NCAA Tournament, Arnoux scored two goals against Big East rival West Virginia in the third round, and had the assist on Marcus Tracy's first goal in the NCAA Finals vs. Ohio State. Phelan, Cronin and Arnoux also picked up First Team All-South Region honors, along with goalkeeper Brian Edwards. Edwards only missed two starts through 93 games with the Demon Deacons. During his collegiate career, Edwards posted 44 shutouts and 271 saves.

The Demon Deacon honors come on the heels of the team's incredible 22-2-2 season and first ever National Championship.

Complete NSCAA All-American Rankings can be found here.

NSCAA All-South First Team
Edwards, Brian/Goalkeeper/Wake Forest University/SR
Leathers, Jon/Defender/Furman University/SR
Phelan, Pat/Defender/Wake Forest University/SR
Sherard, Andre/Defender/North Carolina, University of/SR
Cronin, Sam/Midfielder/Wake Forest University/JR
Murray, Patrick/Midfielder/Furman University/JR
Salinas, Shea/Midfielder/Furman University/SR
Videira, Michael/Midfielder/Duke University/SR
Arnoux, Cody/Forward/Wake Forest University/SO
Grella, Mike/Forward/Duke University/JR
Yearwood, Kareem/Forward/College of Charleston/SO

Wake Forest Athletics

Players Mentioned

Cody Arnoux

Sam Cronin

Brian Edwards

Pat Phelan

Marcus Tracy

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