The Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference announced the 2011 Men’s Soccer All-Conference Team and Gustavus players Ben Ceder and Lucas Thompson were named to the 20-member honor squad selected by the league coaches. Ceder , a junior midfielder and Thompson a sophomore defender were key contributors to a Gustie squad that finished with a record of 10-5-3 overall and 5-2-3 in league play. Both Ceder and Thompson are being honored on the All-Conference Team for the first time. Four other Gustavus players received honorable mention recognition from the league coaches and that group included senior goalkeeper Luke Strom, senior midfielder Max Malmquist, junior midfielder Doug Frey and junior defender Justin Egleseder.
Ceder, a native of Oregon, Wis., was the quarterback of the squad directing the attack from the center midfield position. After playing in the defensive third for his first two seasons at Gustavus, Ceder was moved into the midfield by first-year head coach Mike Middleton due to his ability to see the field and distribute as well as his fitness. After a slow start the team responded to Ceder’s direction by winning 8 of its last 10 matches and outscoring its opponents 22-4 during that stretch. He scored two goals for four points on the season including the lone goal in a 1-1 tie at St. Olaf.
Thompson, a sophomore from Sioux Falls, So. Dak., directed a stingy defensive unit that allowed only five goals in ten league games (fewest in the MIAC) and registered six shutouts (most in the MIAC). He has started every game of his two-year collegiate career as a central defender and has helped the Gusties compile a league record of 11-5-4, while allowing only 17 goals in 20 games (0.85 goals per game). Thompson did score one goal during the season, which was the Gusties lone goal in a 1-1 tie with Carleton.
The trio of players receiving honorable mention recognition also played key roles in the Gusties successful season. Goalkeeper Luke Strom (Plymouth, Minn./Wayzata) was injured in the team’s first game of the season forcing him to miss the next six games. After returning from injury, Strom posted a record of 7-2-2 in goal the rest of the season compiling a 0.26 goals against average with six shutouts. He led the MIAC in goals against average (0.24), save percentage (.920) and shutouts (5). Midfielder Max Malmquist (Salt Lake City, Utah) was the team’s second leading scorer with 2 goals and 5 assists for 9 points. The two-time honorable mention All-Conference performer played in all 76 games of his collegiate career finishing with 10 goals and 15 assists for 35 points. Midfielder Doug Frey (Duluth, Minn./Marshall) led Gustavus in scoring with 8 goals and 8 assists for 24 points. He finished sixth in the MIAC in scoring with 5 goals and 3 assists for 13 points. He scored a goal in seven of the team’s 18 games and picked up at least one point in nine games. Defender Justin Eglseder (Eden Prairie, Minn.) was also a key part of the Gustie defensive unit that led the MIAC in fewest goals allowed with five and shutouts with six. Egleseder also contributed on the offensive end scoring three goals and registering one assist for seven points.
As a part of a conference-wide sportsmanship initiative, the MIAC annoucned the fifth 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. Ben Ikeda, a senior midfielder from Maple Grove, Minn., was Gustavus’ representative on the All-Sportsmanship Team.
MIAC Release with complete All-Conference Team