FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Friday, December 9, 2005

CONTACT: Ted Breidenthal 816/474-7264 tbreidenthal@d3independents.org www.d3independents.org

 Association of Division III Independents
Names 2005 All-Independent Men’s Soccer Teams

KANSAS CITY, MO.--- Seniors Bryan Baird and Chris Pederson of the University of California, Santa Cruz, headline the 2005 All-Independent Men’s Soccer teams named today by the Association of Division III Independents. 

Baird, a forward from San Anselmo, CA, who scored 19 goals and added eight assists for the 17-2-1 Banana Slugs, was voted the offensive player of the year.  Pedersen, a goalkeeper from Danville, CA, who recorded seven shutouts and allowed only seven goals in 20 matches, was named the defensive player of the year. 

John Mawson, a freshman forward from Newbury College, was named the rookie of the year.  The Amherst, MA, native started all 17 games and scored 12 goals.  For the second year in a row, UC Santa Cruz head coach Paul Holocher was named the coach of the year.

First Team 

Forward – Bryan Baird, Senior, UC Santa Cruz
Forward – Peter Jarbo, Sophomore, Lincoln University (Pennsylvania)
Forward – Chris Flaherty, Junior, Mitchell College
Midfielder – Edgar Tavares, Senior, University of Dallas
Midfielder – Oluwafemi Badejo, Senior, Lincoln University (Pennsylvania)
Midfielder – Brandon Lyons, Senior, Nebraska Wesleyan University
Midfielder – Adam Smarte, Junior, UC Santa Cruz
Defense – Chris Mackinnel, Junior, Mitchell College
Defense – Jered Lee, Sophomore, University of Dallas
Defense – Ryan Scott, Senior, University of Maine, Presque Isle
Goaltender – Chris Pedersen, Senior, UC Santa Cruz

Second Team

Forward – Adam Lunger, Freshman, University of Dallas
Forward – John Mawson, Freshman, Newbury College
Forward – Shane Bufano, Freshman, Green Mountain College
Midfielder – Chad D’Ancona, Sophomore, Newbury College
Midfielder – Alex Pires, Senior, Newbury College
Midfielder – Matt Petrie, Sophomore, University of Maine, Presque Isle
Midfielder – Luke Murray, Senior, Green Mountain College
Defense – Robert Schulz, Senior, Nebraska Wesleyan University
Defense – Alex Tocco, Junior, UC Santa Cruz
Defense – Evan Hudson, Sophomore, Newbury College
Goaltender – David Olszewski, Senior, Mitchell College

Honorable Mention

Forward – Adam Banister, Senior, Nebraska Wesleyan University
Forward – Sebastian Itman, Senior, University of Maine, Presque Isle
Forward – Jeff Meyer, Freshman, UC Santa Cruz
Midfielder – Mitchel Memming, Sophomore, Nebraska Wesleyan University
Midfielder – Luis Guerrero, Senior, Cal State East Bay
Midfielder – Darryl Sage, Sophomore, Finlandia University
Midfielder – Dan Shah, Junior, Chapman University
Defense – Steven Wondolowski, Junior, UC Santa Cruz
Defense – William Cooper, Senior, Lincoln University (Pennsylvania)
Defense – Wes Rikkers, Freshman, Colorado College
Goaltender – Eric Lyons, Senior, Nebraska Wesleyan University

The Association of Division III Independents consists of 19 Division III independent institutions that have joined together to recognize student-athletes at independent institutions, and to provide exempted postseason championship competition in seven sports in 2005-06.  The Association recognizes outstanding athletic achievements of its student-athletes on a weekly, monthly and annual basis.  For the first time, the Association provides statistical services for its members in seven sports.  In addition, it will announce all-Independent teams at the conclusion of eight other sports this year. 

More information about the Association of Division III Independents is available at http://www.d3independents.org.