PDL Feature
Wednesday, December 18, 2013
TAMPA, Fla. – The NSCAA unveiled its Men’s Division I All-America Teams last week, with a number of PDL alumni being honored with selection. The group was led by five repeat selections, as the Real Colorado Foxes’ Kyle Venter, New Orleans Jesters’ Patrick Mullins, Portland Timbers U-23s’ Mark Sherrod and Reading United’s Steven Neumann and Pedro Ribeiro all earned berths.
Overall, seven members of the All-America First Team were PDL alumni, with Maryland’s Mullins being joined by fellow MAC Hermann Trophy finalist Harrison Shipp (Notre Dame) of the Chicago Fire U-23. PDL Golden Boot-winner Pete Caringi (UMBC) of the Baltimore Bohemians was also named after a standout season for the Retrievers.
All three defenders were also PDL alums, with the Michigan Bucks and K-W United's AJ Cochran (Wisconsin) and North Sound SeaWolves’ Taylor Peay (Washington) being joined by former Orange County Blue Star center back Steve Birnbaum (California). Sounders FC U23 midfielder Aodhan Quinn (Akron) was also named after a strong senior campaign.
Twenty-one of the players selected overall had previously played in the PDL, with Venter (New Mexico) and Neumann (Georgetown) highlighting the Second Team after both leading their sides to the NCAA Tournament. Neumann’s Reading teammate Ribeiro (Coastal Carolina) also had a fine senior season as he led the Chanticleers into the third round of the NCAA Tournament, while the Jersey Express’ Thomas McNamara was also outstanding for Clemson.
Venter was joined by a trio of former PDL defenders on the Second Team, with the Baltimore Bohemians' Omar Ballo (UMBC), OC Blues Strikers’ Marco Franco (UC Irvine) and Portland Timbers U-23s’ Bryan Gallego (Akron) all earning places on the team.
Former PDL Defender of the Year Kevin Cope (Michigan State) of the Michigan Bucks and the Carolina Dynamo’s Sebastian Ibeagha (Duke) joined Sherrod (Memphis) on the Third Team, as did Westchester Flames standout Kevin Correa. Reading United’s Kadeem Dacres (UMBC) and former Orange County Blue Star midfielder Enrique Cardenas (UC Irvine) and the Portland Timbers U-23s’ Reinaldo Brenes (Akron) rounded out the selections.
The NSCAA also honored coaches from across the NCAA’s Divisions, with Ocean City Nor’easters coach Tim Oswald being named the Division III Coach of the year for his work at Rutgers University – Camden. Oswald led the side on a 36-game undefeated streak, coming up just short in the Division III College Cup, following a summer in which he led the Nor’easters to the PDL Eastern Conference title.