Nine players among five different schools represented the Big West on the 2012 National Soccer Coaches Association of America Men's Division I All-Far West Region Team, it was announced Monday.
Cal State Northridge senior goalkeeper Michael Abalos headlined the list of Big West honorees with his selection to the first team. Four players earned spots on the second team, including Cal State Northridge teammates Sagi Lev-Ari and Joe Franco, Ema Boateng of UC Santa Barbara and UC Riverside's Jose Diaz.
Third team recipients included Brian Ford (UC Davis), Mackenzie Pridham (Cal Poly), Aaron Long (UC Riverside) and Nic Ryan (UC Santa Barbara).
The nine Big West all-region selections represented the second-highest total in league history. Eleven players were honored in 2008.
The Big West also extended its streak to 12 straight seasons with at least one first team all-region honoree.
Abalos, the Big West Goalkeeper of the Year, joined the conference record book in several categories to conclude his Matador career. He finished No. 9 in saves (268) and shutouts (22), No. 4 in minutes played (6,609) and matches in goal (73), and tied for sixth in goalie wins (30).
CSUN's three all-region selections mark the most for the program since the 2005 squad had four.
NSCAA ALL-FAR WEST REGION HONOREES
Big West players only |
| Michael Abalos |
Cal State Northridge |
| Jose Diaz |
UC Riverside |
| Joe Franco |
Cal State Northridge |
| Ema Boateng |
UC Santa Barbara |
| Sagi Lev-Ariiiiiii |
Cal State Northridge |
| Brian Ford |
UC Davis |
| Aaron Long |
UC Riverside |
| Nic Ryan |
UC Santa Barbara |
| Mac Pridhami |
Cal Poly |