Burnaby, BC – The SFU men’s soccer team have finished their season ranked first overall in the NCAA division II men’s soccer poll as voted upon by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America.  

“To finish the regular season ranked number one in the NCAA is an amazing achievement,” said Head Coach Alan Koch.  “Our players have worked incredibly hard to achieve this success and are thoroughly deserving of this team recognition and the post-season awards they are receiving."

The Clan completed their schedule last weekend with three games in four days, all on the road.

They started the journey with their final Great Northwest Athletic Conference game of the season, taking on the Western Washington Vikings.  On a cold evening in Bellingham, the Clan held a 2-1 advantage late in the game but Western Washington tied it up to force overtime.

Two overtime periods solved nothing and SFU was forced to settle for their first tie of the season.

The team then headed to South Dakota for their final two matches.  

The Clan bounced back from their disappointing tie in Western Washington, defeating the University of Sioux Falls by a score of 3-0 last Saturday in difficult, cold and windy conditions.

SFU completed their undefeated 2011 season on Sunday, just getting by Fort Hays State University by a score of 2-1.  It sealed the Clan’s first ever undefeated season in men’s soccer.

“There are close to 200 teams in division II soccer and players are routinely drafted from our league into the MLS. To be ranked as the number one team in this league shows the quality that we have in our group. We continue to get better and better every year, and I am still trying to figure out how we can beat an undefeated season next year,” added Koch.

The SFU men’s soccer team received more good news today when Carson Gill (Kelowna, BC) was added to the GNAC All-Academic team roster.

“It’s nice to be recognized for my work off the field academically, especially when we were so focused to succeeding on the pitch this season,” said Gill.  “I’ve worked very hard to be successful as a student- athlete and to accomplish this for the first time as a senior is very rewarding.”

Gill is pursuing a degree in Biological Science and carrying a 3.50 GPA.