Oct. 31, 2006

IRVING, Texas - The University of Memphis men's soccer team placed two Tigers on All-Conference USA teams on Tuesday, as the league office announced the results as voted on by the conference's head coaches. Junior midfielder Kevin Walsh was named Newcomer of the Year as well as an All-Conference USA second team selection, and senior defender Jamie Gilbert received third team All C-USA honors.

Walsh, who transferred to Memphis from Christian Brothers University, has led a potent Tiger offense all season. Walsh leads the team and is second in Conference USA in goals (10), assists (7) and points (27). Walsh finished the regular season among the national leaders in points per game (12th, 1.8), goals per game (18th, 0.67) and assists per game (28th, 0.47).

The Shrule, Ireland, native recorded a goal or an assist in six straight games from Sept. 3-24, totaling 14 points (5 goals, 4 assists). The Tigers are 8-2-0 in games where Walsh finds the scoring column.

Gilbert also made a good impression in his first and only season in the Tiger defense. The Broken Arrow, Okla., native transferred from Vanderbilt last spring after the Commodores dropped their men's soccer program. Gilbert captained a defense that recorded three shutouts and led Tiger defenders in goals (3), assists (1) and points (7).

"I'm really pleased for Kevin and Jamie. They both had great seasons and were very deserving of those honors. Kevin being named the best newcomer is a terrific accolade for him. However, the most important thing about our sport is that it's a team game. Only one team can win the tournament, and we're focusing on giving ourselves a chance to do that."

The awards were announced one day before the start of the 12th-annual Conference USA Tournament, which is scheduled Wednesday Nov. 1 through Sunday Nov. 5 at the Hurricane Soccer and Track Stadium at the University of Tulsa. The Tigers will face Kentucky in the first round on Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. central time.

2006 C-USA Men's Soccer Awards

Player of the Year
Bruno Guarda, SMU

Defensive Player of the Year
Jay Needham, SMU

Freshman of the Year
Jeff Scannella, South Carolina

Newcomer of the Year
Kevin Walsh, MEMPHIS

Coach of the Year
Schellas Hyndman, SMU

All-Conference First Team
F: Jerson Monteiro, UAB
F: Riley O'Neill, Kentucky
F: Mike Sambursky, South Carolina
MF: Mike D'Agostino, Kentucky
MF: Bruno Guarda, SMU
MF: Dejan Jakovic, UAB
MF: Chase Wileman, SMU
D: Mynor Gonzalez, SMU
D: Ryan Leeton, South Carolina
D: Jay Needham, SMU
GK: Matt Wideman, SMU

All-Conference Second Team
F: Zak Boggs, UCF
F: Adrian Chevannes, SMU
F: David Hope, Florida International
F: Jose Parada, Tulsa
MF: Two-Boys Gumede, UAB
MF: Ralph Pace, South Carolina
MF: Matt Thomas, Tulsa
MF: Kevin Walsh, MEMPHIS
D: Makan Hislop, South Carolina
D: Jeff Lenix, Marshall
D: Nathan Marks, Kentucky
GK: Mike Gustavson, South Carolina

All-Conference Third Team
F: Ayo Akinsete, South Carolina
F: Karim Boukhemis, Marshall
MF: Dadi Kristjannson, Florida International
MF: Jeff Scannella, South Carolina
MF: Ben Shuleva, SMU
MF: Masumi Turnbull, Kentucky
D: Chris Clements, Tulsa
D: Jamie Gilbert, MEMPHIS
D: Ryan Mirsky, SMU
GK: Dan Williams, Kentucky

All-Freshmen Team
Christian Caporaletti, Florida International
Barry Rice, Kentucky
Dan Williams, Kentucky
Leone Cruz, SMU
Stephen Grant, SMU
Jeff Scannella, South Carolina
Mark Wiltse, South Carolina
Hunter Christiansen, Tulsa
Jose Parada, Tulsa
Akin Akinrinade, UCF
Cam Jordan, UCF