Nov. 30, 2006
MEMPHIS, Tenn.- Junior midfielder Kevin Walsh and senior defender Jamie Gilbert capped off stellar 2006 individual campaigns by earning All-Midwest Region Second Team honors, the National Soccer Coaches Association of America announced on Tuesday.
Walsh, who transferred from cross-town Christian Brothers University during the 2006 spring semester, was the U of M's most consistent scoring threat all season long. The Shrule, Ireland, native recorded a goal or an assist in 10 of 16 matches.
Walsh found the scoring column in eight of his first nine games and helped spark the Tigers to an 8-2-0 record, their second best start in school history.
He finished the season as the team leader in goals (10), assists (7), points (27), shots (53) and shots on goal (28). Walsh also placed himself among the national leaders in points per game (16th, 1.69) and goals per game (22nd, 0.63) while leading the nation's 23rd best scoring offense (1.89 goals per game).
Like Walsh, Gilbert transferred to Memphis for the 2006 spring semester. The Broken Arrow, Okla., native played at Vanderbilt for three years, but joined the Tigers after the Commodores dropped their men's soccer program following the 2005 season. Gilbert left his mark on the program in his only season in Memphis, leading the Tigers to three shutout victories.
The six-foot defender also helped spark the Tiger offense from the back. Gilbert led Memphis defenders with three goals, including two game winners. His first goal of the season came in overtime of the season-opener at Louisville and gave the Tigers, who were down 3-0 in the second half, a 4-3 victory.
As the only senior on the squad, Gilbert served as team captain and provided much-needed leadership for a starting defensive crew that included two freshmen (goalkeeper Michael Goodlett and defender Rick Alleman) and two sophomores (defenders Thomas Hyland and Robert Sausaman).
Walsh and Gilbert are the sixth and seventh Tigers to earn at least second team NSCAA All-Midwest honors joining first team selection Dayton O'Brien (2004) and second team honorees O'Brien (2005), Daniel Dobson (2004), Andy Metcalf (2003), and Sean Fraser (2001).
2006 NSCAA/Adidas All-Midwest First Team
Pos. Name Year School Hometown
GK Matthew Wideman Sr. SMU Fairview, Texas
D Jay Needham Sr. SMU Fort Worth, Texas
D Ryan Junge Sr. Creighton Omaha, Neb.
D James Hedges Sr. Bradley Peoria, Ill.
M Bruno Guarda So. SMU Cedar Hill, Texes
M Dejan Jakovic So. UAB Etobicoke, Ontario
M Chase Wileman Sr. SMU Dallas, Texas
F Michael Kraus* Sr. Creighton Omaha, Neb.
F Cory Elenio Jr. Evansville Ann Arbor, Mich.
F Riley O'Neill Sr. Kentucky Campbell River, B.C.
M Matthew Wieclaw Sr. Western Illinois Chicago, Ill.
M Michael D'Agostino Jr. Kentucky Langley, B.C.
2006 NSCAA/Adidas All-Midwest Second Team
Pos. Name Year School Hometown
GK Matt Allen Jr. Creighton Omaha, Neb.
D Justin Douglass* Sr. Missouri State Narco, Calif.
D Jamie Gilbert Sr. Memphis Broken Arrow, Okla.
D Mynor Gonzales Jr. SMU Guatemala City,Guatemala
M Mick Galeski Jr. Eastern Illinois Blackburn, England
M Kevin Walsh Jr. Memphis Shrule, Ireland
M Carlos Pinto So. Oral Roberts Santa Cruz, Bolivia
F Jerson Monteiro Sr. UAB Houston, Texas
F Ryan Anderson Jr. Missouri State St. Charles, Mo.
F Martin Browne Fr. Western Illinois Brooklyn Park, Minn.
F Brad Peters* So. Eastern Illinois St. Charles, Mo.
D Blake Siberz Sr. Drake Urbandale, Iowa
F Zach Bell Sr. Bradley Springfield, Ill.
* - indicates prior selection to All-Region team
