Rohnert Park, CA – The Simon Fraser University mens soccer team are the West Region Champions following their 1-0 victory over University of the Immaculate Word Saturday evening, and have now been awarded numerous All-Region honours following their season to date.

Six members of the Clan squad have been selected to the All-Region teams, a region high this 2012 season, and only four players less than their ten Great Northwest Athletic Conference All-Conference honourees.

Four men were selected to the first All-Region team, including GNAC Player of the Year Michael Winter (Vancouver, BC), and GNAC Freshman of the Year Ryan Dhillon (North Delta, BC).

Matt Besuschko (Port Moody, BC) and Carlo Basso (Coquitlam, BC), who earned GNAC All-Conference honours earlier this season were also selected to the All-Region first team.

Basso, who led the GNAC in scoring with 13 goals this season, helped propel the Clan into the Elite Eight round with his 87th minute game winning goal against the Grand Canyon University Antelopes.

Besuschko, a senior defender, also scored in that match, giving the Clan a 1-0 lead earlier in the game and was a force for the Clan on the defensive end all season starting all of the Clan's 21 games.

Winter had a five goal season for the Clan in the midfield, and made some important defensive plays for SFU in this post-season.  The senior started all 21 games for the Clan this year and excels on defence and on the attack.

Dhillon, although remaining goalless for the Clan this post-season, had an impressive freshman year with the Clan.  He finished the regular season with three two-goal games, and seven goals total so far in 2012.  

“I am very happy for the players that won these awards,” said Head Coach Alan Koch.  “We have athletes from different years and positions winning awards, which represents the depth we have this season”.

Quante Abbot Hill Smith and Helge Neumann were the Clan's second All-Region team members, both earning GNAC all-conference awards earlier this season.

Team captain Neumann led a strong Clan defense all season that has allowed only 14 goals in 21 games.  The senior started all 21 games for the Clan and managed to net on goal and 3 assists so far this year.

Abbot Hill Smith made a big impact in his freshman year starting 20 games for the Clan and making many important plays on the defensive end.

The Clan men's soccer team will continue their quest for an NCAA National Championship in Evans, GA, beginning on November 29.