Men’s Soccer Player Sean Sendelbach Named COSIDA Academic All-District

St. Peter, Minn. – Gustavus Adolphus junior men’s soccer player Sean Sendelbach (Sioux Falls, S.D.) has earned a spot on the 2012 Academic All-District Men’s Soccer Team for District Six.

The 2012 Capital One Academic All-District Men’s Soccer Teams, selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA), recognizes the nation’s top student-athletes for their combined performances athletically and in the classroom.

“Sean is an absolutely integral part of our midfield,” said Head Coach Mike Middleton.  “He is the engine that drives the team forward, not only with his play but also with his determination and his enthusiasm. He is a great lad to have in the program and very deserving of such a high honor.”

The Academic All-District teams include student-athletes divided into eight geographic districts across the United States and Canada. This is the second year of the expanded Academic All-America program as CoSIDA moves from recognizing a University Division (Division I) and a College Division (all non Division I) and doubles the number of scholar‐athletes honored. The teams include NCAA Division I, NCAA Division II and NCAA Division III participants, while the College Division team combines NAIA, Canadian and two-year schools.

A commander of the midfield, Sean Sendelbach has started in all 18 of Gustavus’ matches this season, scoring two points on two assists.  He has logged over 1,000 minutes on the pitch, one of six players on the team to accomplish such a feat.

The junior played an integral role in Gustavus’ run to a share of an MIAC Championship this season – the team’s first conference title since 2007.  The Gusties finished the 2012 regular season with an overall record of 14-2-1 and an MIAC mark of 8-1-1.  A club that takes pride in its possession style of play, Gustavus is one known for an enduring form at the back and through the heart of the pitch.  The Gusties are scoring an average of 2.4 goals per game (3rd/MIAC) this season, while the play of the midfield and back line has been sensational as well, allowing 11 goals (2nd/MIAC) for a goals against average of just 0.62 (2nd/MIAC).

“Sean has been the team’s ‘man-of-the-match’ on a number of occasions this season,” continued Middleton.  “In our last game against St. Thomas, he was the most influential player on the field to such an extent that the others players gave him a round of applause at the meeting after the game.  It was great to see.”

A two-time Academic All-MIAC recipient, Sendelbach is a nursing major with a 3.88 cumulative grade point average.

The Sioux Falls, S.D. native is one of 13 players on the District Six North Region First Team.  Of those 13 players, one is a goalkeeper, four are midfielders, five are defenders, and three are forwards.  Sean is one of four players whom represent the MIAC on the list, joining Matt Glogoza of Concordia, and Neil Bartholomay and Simon Ginet of Carleton.

First-team Academic All-District honorees advance to the Capital One Academic All‐America Team ballot, where first, second and third team All- America honorees will be selected later this month.

CoSIDA Release