St. Paul, Minn. –

Of those 329 selections, 27 were members of the Gustavus Adolphus College Athletics Department.  A total of seven football players, six women’s soccer players, five women’s cross country runners, four men’s soccer players, two men’s golfers, two women’s golfers, and one men’s cross country runner represented Gustavus on this year’s list.

Athletically, student-athletes in team sports must compete in 50 percent of their team’s regular-season varsity contests. The team sports eligible were football, volleyball, men’s soccer and women’s soccer. Cross country student-athletes were required to finish in the overall top 50 or their team’s top seven at the MIAC Championship. Golfers were required to be a member of the competing team at the MIAC Championships to be eligible for the honor.

MIAC Academic All-Conference awardees are announced twice annually, after the completion of the fall and spring academic semesters. The MIAC Winter/Spring 2012-13 Academic All-Conference selections will be announced in late June. The MIAC Academic All-Conference archives can be accessed here.

MIAC Release

Fall 2012 Gustavus Academic All-Conference Honorees

Men’s Cross Country

Joseph Renier (Jr.,  Cambridge, Minn.)

Women’s Cross Country

Meredith Bache-Wiig (Sr., Plymouth, Minn.), Kate Eggers (Sr., Montevideo, Minn.), Caitlin Fermoyle (So., Mendota Heights, Minn.), Rebecca Hare (So., Albany, Minn.), Elizabeth Hauer (Sr., Little Falls, Minn.)

Football

Torey Asao (Jr., Chaska, Minn.), Jacob Forcier (So., Watkins, Minn.), Brian Grundmeyer (Sr., Inver Grove Heights, Minn.), Brian Karg (Sr., Annandale, Minn.), Bryce Kroells (Jr., Green Isle, Minn.), Zach Vine (So., Lino Lakes, Minn.), Trevor Winkelman (Jr., Eagan, Minn.)

Men’s Golf

Andrew Oakes (Jr., Hermantown, Minn.), Coby Rowley (Sr., Prior Lake, Minn.)

Women’s Golf

Kayleigh Dittes (Sr., Eden Prairie, Minn.), Elizabeth Strom (So., Fargo, N.D.)

Men’s Soccer

Bryan Bjork (Sr., Stillwater, Minn.), Casey Gilbert (Jr., Marshfield, Wis.), Evan Odean (Sr., Duluth, Minn.), Sean Sendelbach (Jr., Sioux Falls, S.D.)

Women’s Soccer

Leah Brossoit (Jr., Rochester, Minn.), Nicole Carlson (Sr., Plymouth, Minn.), Margaret Lane (Sr., Saginaw, Minn.), Emily Papagapitos (Jr., Maplewood, Minn.), Jessica Richert (Sr., Freeburg, Ill.), Andra Trakalo (So., Prior Lake, Minn.)

St. Peter, Minn. – The accolades keep rolling in for members of the Gustavus Adolphus men’s soccer team.  Senior defender Lucas Thompson (Sioux Falls, S.D.) and sophomore goalkeeper Brett Ylonen (Lake Elmo, Minn.) are the most recent recipients, being named to the 2012 D3soccer.com Men’s All-America Team.  Thompson is one of four defenders to earn a spot on the second team, while Ylonen garners third team honors as one of three keepers from across the country to take home All-America distinction.

This year, the teams were chosen by D3soccer.com staff, Division III soccer coaches and sports information directors from a field of over 600 nominations.

Senior Nate Bascom of Ohio Northern University is the D3soccer.com Forward of the Year, Messiah College sophomore Jeremy Payne is the Midfielder of the Year, and senior Julien Aoyama of Amherst College is the Defender of the Year.  Senior Paul Killian of Stevens Institute of Technology was named Goalkeeper of the Year to round out the group.

A three-time All-Conference performer, Lucas Thompson continues to receive post-season accolades after an outstanding senior campaign as the director of Gustavus’ back line.  Thompson also earned a place on the NSCAA/Continental Tire NCAA Division III Men’s All-America Team and was a member of the NSCAA All-North Region First Team.  The Sioux Falls, S.D. product anchored a defensive unit that allowed just 11 goals for a 0.54 goals against average, which ranked ninth in the country.

After keeping opponents out of the net for the last month of the season, Brett Ylonen was rewarded for his standout goalkeeping with third team honors.  Ylonen is the youngest netminder and one of just four sophomores on the D3soccer.com All-America first, second, or third teams.  An All-North Region First Team performer alongside Thompson, Ylonen finished the year with a save percentage of .896 (4th/NCAA) and a goals against average of 0.43 (6th/NCAA).  He went 14-2-3 overall and recorded over 1,700 minutes in net.

Thompson and Ylonen are the only two players from the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) to earn D3soccer.comm All-America accolades.  The first, second, and third teams are each comprised of 11 players featuring three forwards, three midfielders, four defenders, and one goalkeeper.

It is the second year in a row that a member of Mike Middleton’s club has earned All-America honors from D3soccer.com.  Last season, Justin Eglseder `12 was named to the first team after his exceptional season leading Gustavus’ defense.

D3soccer.com Release

Kansas City – The National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) released its 2012 NCAA Division III All-Region teams on Wednesday, Dec. 5.  This season, four Gustavus Adolphus men’s soccer players earned a place on the All-North Region team.  Senior defender Lucas Thompson (Sioux Falls, S.D.) and sophomore goalkeeper Brett Ylonen (Lake Elmo, Minn.) garnered first team distinction, while sophomore forward Zach Brown (Eau Claire, Wis.) and sophomore midfielder David Lilly (Maple Grove, Minn.)received third team honors.

Brett Ylonen

Lucas Thompson

Senior Lucas Thompson, who was recently named to the NSCAA Division III All-America team, makes his third consecutive showing on the All-North Region team.  Thompson is a three-time All-Conference performer who earned second team All-Region marks last season.  He is one of three defenders on the first team, joining fellow MIAC backliners Neil Bartholomay of Carleton and Chad Gilmer of Augsburg.  Starting in all 21 games and tallying over 1,500 minutes on the pitch, Thompson finished the year with one point on an assist.  His defensive unit allowed just 11 goals on the year for a goals against average of 0.54, which ranked ninth in NCAA Division III.

After being one of just two freshman to earn All-Region accolades last year, sophomore keeper Brett Ylonen upped the ante this season by taking home first team recognition.  Simply put, Ylonen was sensational down the backstretch of Gustavus’ 2012 season.  After allowing three goals to Carleton on Sept. 29, the Lake Elmo product did not let in a goal for 888:14 consecutive regulation and overtime minutes.  A 2012 All-Conference performer, Ylonen’s save percentage of .896 ranked fourth in NCAA Division III while his goals against average of 0.43 ranked sixth.  He also led the league in both save percentage and goals against, finishing the year 14-2-3 after registering over 1,700 minutes between the posts.

Zach Brown

David Lilly

For the second straight season, sophomore striker Zach Brown proved to be a threat to score at any given moment of the match.  Brown joins Lilly on the third team after recording a team-best 31 points off of 14 goals and three assists.  Brown finished the year ranked fourth in the league in scoring and third in goals.  Playing in a total of over 1,200 minutes in all 20 contests, the Eau Claire native netted a league-best eight game-winning goals, five of which came against MIAC opponents.  His point total ranked him 62nd in the country, while his 14 total goals ranked 35th.  Brown concluded the year with 37 shots on goal (3rd/MIAC) and a shots on goal percentage of .474.

Gustavus’ midfield commander David Lilly earns a well-deserved spot on the third team after quarterbacking the club’s possession offense throughout the season.  With over 1,400 minutes under his belt, Lilly started in all 20 games and finished third on the team in scoring with 11 points off a goal and a team-high nine assists.  His nine assists ranked third in the league and 33rd in the country.  David’s lone goal of the season was the game-winner that allowed the Gusties a critical regional win against North Park on Sept. 7.  The All-MIAC sophmore also assisted on five game-winning goals this year.

Complete NSCAA All-North Region Team

Lucas Thompson earns NSCAA All-America honors.

Lucas Thompson earns NSCAA All-America honors.

Kansas City, Kan. – As a part of the continuing post-season awards released by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA), Gustavus Adolphus senior defender Lucas Thompson (Sioux Falls, S.D.) has been named to the NSCAA/Continental Tire NCAA Division III Men’s All-America Team.  A three-time All-Conference performer and a two-time All-Region honoree, Thompson earns a spot on the third team and is the first Gustavus men’s soccer player since 2007 to garner All-America honors.

“A thoroughly deserved award. Lucas has been absolutely integral to the team’s success during his collegiate career,” said Head Coach Mike Middleton about his senior defender.

“At six-feet two-inches, Lucas is a monster.  He is very quick and tough as nails,” continued Middleton.  “He reads the game well and his anticipation has developed throughout his career.  You would not want to play against him because he’d have you for breakfast!  He is top class and a wonderful player.”

Thompson successfully captained the 2012 Gustavus men’s soccer team to an overall record of 15-2-3 and its first MIAC Championship since 2007.  The Gusties went 8-1-1 in league play to share the conference title with Carleton, who also went 8-1-1.  After defeating St. Thomas 1-0 in the MIAC quarterfinals, Gustavus advanced to the MIAC Playoff Championship to face Carleton.  The Gusties received the MIAC’s automatic berth into the NCAA Tournament after playing the Knights to a 0-0 tie and advancing on penalty kicks 7-6 in seven rounds.  The Black and Gold saw its late-season run come to an end against UW-Platteville in the opening round of the NCAA Playoffs.  The Pioneers advanced to the second round after playing the Gusties to a 0-0 tie and winning 3-2 in the penalty shootout.

Although he logged more minutes on the pitch than any of his teammates (over 1,500) this year, Lucas Thompson’s stat line, which includes one point on an assist, is not one that will turn heads.  His consistency and steady presence on the defensive end are what made Thompson an All-American by his senior year.

Thompson battles Nick Rapisarda in Gustavus’ MIAC semifinal match against St. Thomas. Photo courtesy of A.J. Dahm – Sport PiX.

“In the last two seasons, Lucas has led the defense on a team that has only lost four of the 37 games played,” said Middleton.  “This last season he won the MIAC regular season title, added the MIAC playoff crown, and appeared in the NCAA tournament for good measure. In fact, it has been 888 minutes since the team has conceded a goal when Lucas has been on the field – incredible stuff!”

Following this season’s Division III NCAA Championship match, Gustavus ranked ninth in the nation in team goals against average (.54) and fifth shutout percentage (0.65).  With its stifling defense and wall-like goalkeeping, the Gusties allowed just 11 goals in their 21 total matches.  Over Gustavus’ last month of the season, the club allowed just two goals in regulation, both of which came in a 9-2 win over Crown College.  Within conference play, the Gusties carried a league-best 0.48 goals against average after giving up just five goals in their 10 matches.

In Thompson’s four-year career on the hill, Gustavus has gone a combined 48-15-12 (.720) overall and 25-8-8 (.707) in the MIAC.  Lucas earns the program’s Iron Man award after playing and starting in all 75 games of his collegiate career.  He has tallied a total of seven points on two goals and two assists.  Over the Sioux Falls, S.D. product’s time with the program, Gustavus’ defense has allowed a total of 52 goals for an impressive goals against average of 0.69.

Middleton contends that Thompson is one of the top players in the nation and is arguably among the best at his position.  “He was voted as a potential First-Team All-American by D3soccer.com in the middle of last season, and now he has gone on to fulfill that promise by being named an All-American by the NSCAA this year. We are all very proud of him.”

A management major who will graduate this spring, Thompson is the seventh Gustavus player to receive All-America honors from the NSCAA in the history of the program.  He joins the likes of Todd Anderson, Mike Butterworth, Scott Crowell, Joe Hartwell, Bobby Kroog, and Adam MacLeod Roth.    The last Gustie All-American was Mike Butterworth in 2007.

“Lucas is polite, extremely modest, and well-liked by everyone,” concluded Middleton.  “He’s a top player and a top man – that’s a combination that is truly tough to beat.”

Lucas Thompson is one of three MIAC players to earn a spot on the NSCAA All-America Team.  Carleton freshman Branden McGarrity earned took home a place on the second team, while his senior teammate Neil Bartholomay joined Thompson on the third team.

The National Soccer Coaches Association of America serves as the recognized leader in naming All-America soccer players.  Student-athletes named NSCAA All-America will be recognized Saturday, Jan. 19 at the annual All-America Luncheon, held in conjunction with the 2013 NSCAA Convention in Indianapolis.

All-Region teams for all divisions under all governing bodies will be released throughout December.

NSCAA Release

David Lilly controls possession in Saturday's shootout loss to UW-Platteville in the opening round the NCAA playoffs. Photo courtesy of Carleton Sports Information.

David Lilly controls possession in Saturday's shootout loss to UW-Platteville in the opening round the NCAA playoffs. Photo courtesy of Carleton Sports Information.

Northfield, Minn. – In what was a physically and mentally draining match for both the Gustavus and UW-Platteville men’s soccer teams, it was the Pioneers advancing to the second round the NCAA Tournament after winning the penalty shootout by the score of 3-2 in five rounds.

“A tough slice of luck for the lads today,” commented Head Coach Mike Middleton.  “I thought we controlled large swathes of the game, yet were not able to put them to the sword. They were very resolute, and were always a danger on the break.”

Coach Middleton was proud of his squad’s performance and commended the players’ hard work and perseverance.  “We needed something to fall for us, and it didn’t quite happen. The performance was very good and they all worked their socks off.  Nothing for the lads to hang their heads over, they should be very proud of what they have achieved.  This was a team capable of playing deep into the month, but it just wasn’t to be today.  They are truly a terrific team and a wonderful group to be around.  I’m very proud of them.”

The final scoresheet would reveal an evenly played match on both ends of the pitch.  UW-Platteville held a 15-14 advantage in shots, while the two squads each had four corner kick opportunities.  The Pioneers committed one more foul (23-21) and were charged with four yellow cards to Gustavus’ one.

It was during the overtime sessions that the teams made aggressive strides to tally the game-winning goal.  At the 96:04 mark, Gustavus goalkeeper Brett Ylonen (Lake Elmo, Minn.) came up with a save off a corner kick that was batted around in traffic in front of net.  The Pioneers had another look at the game-winner in the 103rd minute when Kyle Hoertner sent a drive at the net from the left wing.  The shot sailed wide right and the match went into a second 10 minute overtime session.

Less than one minute into the second overtime, sophomore striker Zach Brown (So., Eau Claire, Wis.), after getting behind the UW-Platteville defense, sent what looked to be the game-winner initially just wide of the net.  Both teams would have chances over the remaining minutes of overtime.  Mdodje Sarr hit the post in the 118th minute, and David Lilly (So., Maple Grove, Minn.) was turned away less than a minute later by Pioneer goalkeeper Ian Christensen.

Gustavus’ Ryan Ragan challenges for a header. Photo courtesy of Carleton Sports Information.

After 110 minutes of scoreless soccer, the match went into a penalty kick shootout.  After facing physical challenges from the UW-Platteville attackers all match, Middleton opted for fresh legs.  Alvaro Pinto (So., Edina, Minn.) got the call from and would serve as the keeper in the shootout.

After UW-Platteville opened up with a conversion by Brandon Chmiel, Gustavus’ David Lilly hit the left post and missed.  After Pioneer Chris Brown hit the crossbar, the Gusties tied the count at 1-1 after Jason Schwab (Fr., Stillwater, Minn.) buried his shot into the upper right corner.  UW-Plattevile took a 2-1 advantage heading into the fourth round after Kyle Hoertner converted and Lucas Thompson (Sr., Sioux Falls, S.D.) was turned away.  After Hunter McHahon nailed his shot to put the Pioneers up 3-1, Bryan Bjork (Sr., Stillwater, Minn.) was in a must-convert situation to keep Gustavus alive.  The senior delivered, as his shot deflected off Christensen’s hand and into the net, cutting the margin to 3-2.

Facing the pressure of elimination, Alvaro Pinto came up with a sprawling save to his left to allow Gustavus a chance at the tying goal.  As big as the Pinto’s save was, Christensen’s was even bigger.  The UWP goalkeeper dove to his right to stone Konnor Tranoris (Fr., Des Moines, Iowa) and send the Pioneers to the second round of the NCAA Tournament where they will face Carroll University Sunday afternoon back on Bell Field.

Brett Ylonen made a total of three saves, while his counterpart turned away eight shots.  Ylonen finished the season 14-2-1 overall with a .896 save percentage and a 0.41 goals against average.  A 2012 All-Conference performer, Ylonen closed out his sophomore year by not allowing a single goal in 888:14 consecutive regulation and overtime minutes.  Ylonen’s last allowed goal came on Sept. 29 against Carleton.

“The first team hasn’t conceded a goal for 10 games and we have only lost four games in the last 49,” said an encouraged Middleton.   “This group of seniors in particular has been very successful and a great deal of credit is owed to them. Not many teams finish the season not losing, and to be frank it is a bit like being in suspended animation.  You just don’t know whether to laugh or cry after making a run such as this.”

Gustavus concludes its 2012 season with an overall record of 15-2-3, while UW-Platteville improves to 14-3-2 with the win.

A large contingency of fans swarmed to Bell Field this afternoon to support the Gustavus men’s soccer team – something that did not go unnoticed by Middleton or the team.  “Great support from the families, friends and alumni today.  They certainly won the battle when it came to making noise,” he applauded.  “The support has been sensational over the season, and particularly for the play-off games. But if nothing else, we would have loved to do it for them.”

Box Score

A special thanks to Carleton Sports Information for contributing to this release.

Senior Lucas Thompson will lead Gustavus powerful back line into the NCAA Tournament this weekend in Northfield. Photo courtesy of AJ Dahm - Sport PiX.

Senior Lucas Thompson will lead Gustavus powerful back line into the NCAA Tournament this weekend in Northfield. Photo courtesy of AJ Dahm - Sport PiX.

St. Peter, Minn. - The Gustavus men’s soccer team is set to face UW-Platteville in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament on Saturday, Nov. 10 at 1:30 p.m. Gustavus enters the tournament ranked No. 22 with an overall record of 15-2-1.

LIVE COVERAGE

Live video and live stats will be provided by the Carleton Sports Information Department through the links below.

Live Video

Live Stats

PREVIEW

Saturday’s match between Gustavus and UW-Platteville will be the fourth meeting between the two schools.  The Pioneers hold the advantage in the all-time series with a mark of 2-1.  Gustavus took the last meeting by a 4-0 score back in 1993.

Gustavus finished the 2012 regular season with an overall record of 14-2-1 and an MIAC mark of 8-1-1.  With a 1-0 victory over Macalester in their season finale, the Gusties earned a share of the conference title, their first since 2007, alongside Carleton who also finished 8-1-1 in league play.

In the squad’s second consecutive appearance in the MIAC Playoffs under the direction of Head Coach Mike Middleton, Gustavus earned a pair of victories to receive the MIAC’s automatic berth into the NCAA Tournament.  Gustavus defeated St. Thomas 1-0 on Tuesday, Oct. 30 before playing Carleton to a 0-0 tie and advancing on penalty kicks 7-6 in seven rounds.

The Golden Gusties are making their ninth all-time appearance in the NCAA Tournament.  Gustavus last qualified for NCAA post-season play in 2007.  In their previous eight trips to the tournament, the Gusties hold an all-time record of 8-6-5.  Gustavus suffered a 2-1 loss to Whitworth University in the first round of its last NCAA Tournament showing in 2007.

Built as a possession team with one of the top back lines in the country, Gustavus enters Saturday’s match ranked 16th in NCAA Division III in goals against average at 0.58.   The Gusties are averaging 2.3 goals per game with 148 of their 311 total shot attempts coming on goal for a shots on goal percentage of .476.  Gustavus has outshot its opponents by an average of 16.4-to-10.

Leading the Gusties in scoring with over 1,000 minutes logged on the pitch is Zach Brown (Jr., Eau Claire, Wis.).  Brown ranks 52nd in the nation in total points with 31 off of 14 goals and three assists.  His 14 goals currently rank second in the MIAC and 33rd in the country.  Konnor Tranoris (Fr., Des Moines, Iowa) sits second the team in scoring with 16 points (6G, 4A), while David Lilly (So., Maple Grove, Minn.) ranks third with 11 points (1g, 9A).  The general of Gustavus’ midfield, Lilly’s nine assists ranks 29th in the NCAA.

Behind Gustavus’ defense that has allowed just 11 goals on the year sits sophomore goalkeeper Brett Ylonen (Lake Elmo, Minn.).  Ylonen enters the NCAA Tournament with a record of 14-2-2.  His .892 save percentage ranks sixth in the nation and his 0.47 goals against average ranks 14th. Since a 2-0 win over Bethel on Oct. 5, the second-year keeper has not allowed a goal in over 750 consecutive minutes and holds an 8-0-0 record within that time.

NCAA Program

St. Paul –

Senior Lucas Thompson (Sioux Falls, S.D.), and sophomores Zach Brown (Eau Claire, Wis.), David Lilly (Maple Grove, Minn.), and Brett Ylonen (Lake Elmo, Minn.) all earned a spot on the All-Conference Team, while juniors Zach Schmith (Sioux Falls, S.D.) and Sean Sendelbach (Sioux Falls, S.D.) took home Honorable Mention All-MIAC honors.  Sophomore Eric Schneider (St. Anthony, Minn.) was named Gustavus’ representative on the 2012 All-MIAC Sportsmanship Team.

St. Thomas junior Nick Rapisarda was voted the 2012 MIAC Men’s Soccer Player-of-the-Year after leading the league in goals and points in conference play and helping the Tommies to a conference Playoff bid. Carleton’s Bob Carlson was voted the 2012 MIAC Men’s Soccer Coach-of-the-Year after guiding the Knights to a near-perfect regular-season campaign, including a share of the conference title and a runner-up finish in the postseason tournament.

Lucas Thompson

Zach Brown

This season’s All-Conference team featured a large contingency of sophomores and juniors.  Only two seniors were honored, with 11 juniors, five sophomores and two freshmen rounding out the All-MIAC team. Co-champs Carleton and Gustavus tied for the most selections with four apiece, while St. Thomas and St. Olaf each placed three players on the squad. Saint John’s and Augsburg both had two players honored, and Macalester and Saint Mary’s each placed one player on the All-Conference team.

Senior defender Lucas Thompson makes this third consecutive appearance on the All-Conference this season.  The Sioux Falls, S.D. native is the first Gustie to earn All-MIAC marks three times in a career since Bobby Kroog did so in 2003, 2004, and 2005. A staple of Gustavus’ back line for the past four seasons, Thompson has started in all 19 games and leads the team in minutes played this season.  Although the captain’s statline – one point on one assist – wont jump off the page, it is Thompson’s solid and consistence presence at center back that stands out.  Gustavus has allowed just 11 goals on the year for a team goals against average of 0.58, ranking the Gusties 16th in NCAA Division III.

Last season saw Gustavus’ big three freshman, Zach Brown, David Lilly, and Brett Ylonen earn All-MIAC Honorable Mention recognition.  This year as sophomores, those three earn All-Conference accolades for the first time.

Brett Ylonen

David Lilly

Striker Zach Brown is the club’s leading scorer for the second straight season, tallying 31 points off of 14 goals and three assists.  His point total ranks 52nd in the nation and fourth in the MIAC, while his 14 goals rank 33rd in the country and second in the league.  A threat to score whenever the ball is on his foot, Brown has scored a league-best seven game-winning goals thus far.  Brown has played in all 19 matches and has also logged over 1,000 minutes.

The commanding general of the Gustavus midfield, David Lilly draws attention from defenders whenever on possession.  Lilly ranks third on the team in scoring with 11 points off of one goal and a team-best nine assists.  His nine dimes rank third in the MIAC and 29th in the nation.  Lilly has also started in all 19 matches and boasts over 1,300 minutes played.  The Maple Grove, Minn. product scored the game-winning goal in what was a critical regional win over North Park on Sept. 7, and contributed the assist on five game-winning goals.

Goalkeeper Brett Ylonen has been a consistent wall in the Gustavus goal throughout all 19 matches this year.  The Lake Elmo, Minn. native is currently 14-2-2 overall with an .892 save percentage and a 0.47 goals against average. Ylonen’s save percentage ranks sixth in the country and first in the MIAC, while his goals against average ranks 14th in the nation and second in the conference. Since a 2-0 win over Bethel on Oct. 5, Ylonen has yet to allow a goal in over 750 minutes of regulation and overtime soccer.  He holds an 8-0-0 record within that time.

Zach Schmith

Sean Sendelbach

Eric Schneider

Zach Schmith and Sean Sendelbach take home Honorable Mention All-MIAC recognition for the first time in their careers.  Schmith, a starter in all 19 of Gustavus’ matches, has been on the pitch for over 1,000 minutes and is a key component of the squad’s powerful defensive unit.  His one goal this year came against Macalester in the final match of the season.  The goal allowed the Gusties a 1-0 win and a share of the MIAC Championship, their first since 2007.  Sendelbach, who is also on the field for seemingly every minute of every match, has recorded two assists this season, one of which was on the game-winner against Hamline in early October.  Sean, who is a nursing major with a 3.88 GPA, also earned CoSIDA Academic All-District honors recently and will be eligible for Academic All-America distinction later this month.

As part of a conference-wide sportsmanship initiative, the MIAC announced the seventh-annual All-MIAC Sportsmanship team for men’s soccer. Members of the All-MIAC Sportsmanship team are selected by their coaches and teammates as individuals who demonstrate ideals of positive sportsmanship both on and off the field of competition.

Sophomore Eric Schneider serves as Gustavus’ representative on the All-Sportsmanship team.  Schneider has played in all 19 matches and has one goal on the season.

MIAC Release

St. Peter, Minn. – The Gustavus men’s soccer team moved up one spot in the most recent NSCAA/Continental Tire NCAA Division III Men’s Poll released Tuesday, Nov. 6.  With a record of 15-2-3 overall, the Gusties enter the NCAA Tournament ranked No. 22.

It is the second straight week that Gustavus has cracked the top 25 of the NSCAA poll.  The Gusties moved up one place after defeating St. Thomas and Carleton in the MIAC Playoffs last week.  The Black and Gold defeated St. Thomas 1-0 in the semifinals before tying with Carleton 0-0 in the championship and advancing on penalty kicks 7-6 in seven rounds.

Head Coach Mike Middleton’s squad will take on UW-Platteville in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament on Saturday at 1:30 p.m. at Bell Field on the campus of Carleton College.

NSCAA Release

Goalkeeper Brett Ylonen named MIAC Men's Soccer Athlete of the Week. Photo courtesy of A.J. Dahm - Sport PiX.

Goalkeeper Brett Ylonen named MIAC Men's Soccer Athlete of the Week. Photo courtesy of A.J. Dahm - Sport PiX.

St. Peter, Minn. – Gustavus Adolphus sophomore goalkeeper Brett Ylonen (Lake Elmo, Minn.) has been named the MIAC Men’s Soccer Athlete-of-the-Week after his stellar performances in Gustavus’ two MIAC playoff victories over St. Thomas and Carleton this past week.  The Co-MIAC Champion Gusties defeated St. Thomas 1-0 on Tuesday before winning the MIAC Playoff Championship in a shootout 7-6 over Carleton on Saturday.  Over Gustavus’ two post-season contests, Ylonen did not allow a goal in 200 minutes of regulation soccer.

“Brett truly deserves the award – he works like a Trojan,” said Head Coach Mike Middleton.  “Every day the goalkeepers are out nearly an hour before everyone else, and boy, do they love to work. He is really pushed by the other keepers Tom Schleusener, Al Pinto, and Braden Schmid.  Brett is so good because of them – he cannot drop his standards for a second.”

The sophomore’s week began with his best outing of the season in the Gusties opening round playoff match against St. Thomas.  In a performance worth its weight in gold according to Mike Middleton after the match, Ylonen made a season-best eight saves on the way to his sixth complete-game shutout and 14th win of the year.  Two of his eight saves came on what appeared to be golden scoring chances from St. Thomas’ leading scorer Nick Rapisarda, including one that came inside the final minute of the match that preserved the one goal victory and berth into the MIAC Playoff Championship.

In Saturday’s championship game at Carleton, Ylonen stopped both shots that made their way to the net through 110 minutes of regulation play.  Following two sessions of overtime, the match went into a penalty kick shootout.  After the first six players from both teams found the back of the net, Zach Brown (So., Eau Claire, Wis.) put the Gusties up 7-6 after scoring on his try.  On the ensuing attempt, Ylonen came up with a sprawling save to his right, deflecting the ball wide of the net to give the Gusties an automatic berth into the NCAA Tournament.

“Brett’s save in the penalty shootout was top-class,” commented Middleton.  “A stunning save worthy of a team being crowned Playoff Champion, and a trophy to go alongside Brett’s regular season crown. A product of the very successful Stillwater High School, and the excellent St. Croix soccer club – we are very lucky to have him at Gustavus. We are very proud of him of course, and delighted for him. Needless to say, I am pleased as punch of his achievements.”

Ylonen enters the NCAA Tournament at 14-2-2 overall with an .892 save percentage and a 0.47 goals against average.  Over the last month dating back to a 2-0 win over Bethel on Oct. 5, Brett Ylonen has simply refused to be beaten.  The Lake Elmo product has totaled 23 saves and has gone 8-0-0 within that time frame.  His 14 wins is the most by a Gustavus since Trevor Brown had 13 in 2007.

Along with his tireless work ethic, Middleton credits Ylonen’s success to his soft hands, great reflexes, and athleticism.  “They say that top keepers do not reach maturity until their late twenties – mainly due to consistency – but he is very consistent now.  His decision-making is first class, he has great presence, and he dominates the box. He has it all.”

With an overall record of 15-2-2, Gustavus will take on UW-Platteville in the first round of the NCAA Playoffs on Saturday in Northfield, Minn., as Carleton will host the four-team regional and will face Carrol in Saturday’s other match. The two winners will meet Sunday in the second round.

MIAC Release

St. Peter, Minn.

The Gusties will return to the site of their recent MIAC Playoff Championship victory, Bell Field, for their opening round match.  Co-MIAC Champion Carleton has been selected as the first round host and will face Carroll in it’s opening round match earlier in the day at 11:00 a.m.

The Golden Gusties are making their ninth all-time appearance in the NCAA Tournament.  Gustavus last qualified for NCAA post-season play in 2007.  The Black and Gold holds an all-time record of 8-6-5 in the tournament.

LIVE COVERAGE

Live video and live stats will be provided by the Carleton Sports Information Department through the links below.

Live Video

Live Stats

TICKETS
Tickets are required for all fans and will be available for purchase at the gate on game day. Admission prices established by the NCAA are:
$6 – Adults
$3 – Seniors and Students (college through six years old)
Free – Children five and under

CAMPUS MAP – Interactive  |  Printable (PDF)

PARKING – Due to ongoing construction at Evans Hall, the parking lot next to Cowling Gymnasium may be closed. There is plenty of free on-street parking in the Northfield neighborhood surrounding campus. Entrance to the game will via the Cowling parking lot.

NCAA Release