KANSAS CITY, Mo. – United Soccer Coaches released its NCAA Division III Men’s All-Region Teams on Tuesday and three Gustavus student-athletes earned First Team All-Region IX honors – Wesley Sanders (Sr., Urbandale, Iowa), Otis Anderson (Jr., Minneapolis), and Owen Johnson (Jr., Apple Valley).
Sanders, voted as the MIAC Defensive Player of the Year and the top keeper in Region IX, earns his second All-Region nod after being selected in 2019. Sanders ranks third in Division III with 12 shutouts this season after starting 22 of 23 games. His .853 save percentage is best in the region and 15th in the country, while his 0.63 goals against average is second in the region and 18th in the nation. Sanders played a pivotal role in the Gusties winning the MIAC regular season championship with an undefeated record of 9-0-1. He also made a number of key stops in two shootout victories to advance Gustavus to the NCAA quarterfinals for the first time in 17 years.
Anderson was the highest scoring defender for the Gusties, scoring six goals and three assists for 15 points. Anderson had two game-winning goals and was the top performer on set pieces, going 3-for-3 on penalty kicks in regulation and 2-for-2 in penalty kick shootouts. Anderson helped the Gusties rank eighth in Division III with 12 shutouts and 18th in the country with a 0.64 goals against average.
Johnson led the Gustavus offense from the midfield all season with seven goals and 11 assists for 25 points. This is the second consecutive season Johnson posted 11 assists and he now has 25 career helpers. Johnson posted four game-winning goals, while three of his assists came in the national tournament. Johnson also led the team with 22 shots on goal for a .524 percentage.
Well deserved by these men! Congratulations!