Four Deacons Named Soccer America MVPs
12/17/2008 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Dec. 17, 2008
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - Four members of the Wake Forest men's soccer team were named MVPs by Soccer America, while freshman Danny Wenzel was named to the All-Freshman First Team by Soccer America.
Seniors Sam Cronin and Marcus Tracy were named First Team MVPs, while sophomores Corben Bone and Ike Opara were Second Team MVP selections.
The honor marks the fourth time this postseason that Tracy has been named a first-team All-American. He was previously honored by College Soccer News, the National Soccer Coaches Association of America and Top Drawer Soccer. Opara notched his fourth All-American selection of 2008, while Bone and Cronin were named All-Americans for the third time this year.
Wake Forest led all schools with four players named to the MVP teams.
Serving as a captain for the second straight season, Cronin played and started in every game for Wake Forest in 2008. He extended his consecutive games started streak to 98 and became the school's all-time leader in games played and games started. A 2008 Hermann Trophy finalist, Cronin scored 10 goals and added four assists in 2008. He also won the 2008 Lowe's Senior CLASS Award.
Tracy was recently named a 2008 Hermann Trophy finalist after enjoying a stellar senior season. He finished the year with 13 goals, 10 assists and 36 points. He was just one of two players nationwide to finish with double-digit totals in goals and assists. Tracy notched at least one point in 16 of the team's 24 games this season. He finished his career ranked in the top 10 in points (83), goals (30) and assists (23) at Wake Forest.
Bone finished the 2008 season with a NCAA-best 17 assists. His 17 assists set a new school record for most helpers in a single season. Bone also scored seven goals in 2008 to give him 31 points in his sophomore season. He was recently named to the All-Tournament Team at the College Cup after his play against North Carolina.
One of the top central defenders in college soccer, Opara helped Wake Forest to 14 shutouts during the 2008 season. For his efforts, he was named the 2008 ACC Defensive Player of the Year. Opara also chipped in on offense, scoring five goals for the explosive Wake Forest attack.
Wenzel received his second All-Freshman honor of the 2008 postseason. Top Drawer Soccer previously recognized the Federal Way, Wash., native. A steady centerback all year for Wake Forest, Wenzel was a part of 14 shutouts in 2008. Named to the ACC All-Freshman Team, Wenzel also scored a goal and added three assists.
Soccer America's MVPs were introduced in 1976 and honor the players who have had the biggest impact on their team's success regardless of position. Beginning in 2007, Soccer America selected first and second teams.
2008 Soccer America MVPs
First Team
Neal Kitson, St. John's
Doug DeMartin, Michigan State
Sam Cronin, Wake Forest
Omar Gonzalez, Maryland
Andrei Gotsmanov, Creighton
Baggio Husidic, Illinois-Chicago
Yohance Marshall, South Florida
Brian Shriver, North Carolina
Marcus Tracy, Wake Forest
Steve Zakuani, Akron
Graham Zusi, Maryland
Second Team
Milos Kocic, Loyola (Md.)
Andre Akpan, Harvard
Quincy Amarikwa, UC Davis
Mark Blades, Northwestern
Corben Bone, Wake Forest
Irving Garcia, UC Irvine
Jeremy Hall, Maryland
Craig Henderson, Dartmouth
Ike Opara, Wake Forest
Michael Stephens, UCLA
Andrew Wiedeman, California
All-Freshman Team
First Team
Zac MacMath, Maryland
Will Bruin, Indiana
Lucky Mkosana, Dartmouth
Darlington Nagbe, Akron
Austin Neil, Tulsa
Kofi Sarkodie, Akron
Billy Schuler, North Carolina
Tony Tchani, Virginia
Casey Townsend, Maryland
Danny Wenzel, Wake Forest
Sheanon Williams, North Carolina
Second Team
Andrew Fontein, UC Irvine
Brian Holt, Creighton
Michael Bustamante, Boston University
Tony Cascio, Connecticut
Sam Garza, Denver
Matt Kassel, Maryland
Danny Mwanga, Oregon State
Brian Ownby, Virginia
Colin Rolfe, Louisville
Patrick Sigler, Cal Poly
Kirk Urso, North Carolina
