The National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) recently released its All-North Region Team and Luke Strom, a senior goalkeeper from Plymouth, Minn. was named to the First Team, while Lucas Thompson, a sophomore central defender from Sioux Falls, S.D., was named to the Second Team. Strom and Thompson were key contributors to a Gustie squad that finished with a record of 10-5-3 overall and 5-2-3 in league play.
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). “I was pleased that Luke was voted First Team All-Region,” stated Head Coach Mike Middleton. “Given that he missed six games (and as a result the the votes from the coaches in those games) this was very impressive. I’m sure that if he had played all season he would have been named to the All-America Team. He had a truly outstanding senior year.”
Thompson (Sioux Falls, So. Dak./Lincoln), 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. “Luke’s selection to the All-Region Second Team as a sophomore is very impressive indeed,” stated Middleton. “That puts him near the top of his class in the nation. He is a truly outstanding, and fearsome defender, with pace and power to burn. Luke is big, stylish, good on the ball, and has demonstrated a fierce competitive drive. He is a top-class performer.”