KANSAS CITY, Mo. – California Lutheran men's soccer players Daniel Aguilar, Brandon Kearney and Cristian Yepez received All-West Region honors as the trio represent the Kinsgmen on the Third Team. The teams were announced by the United Soccer Coaches.
"I am incredibly proud of and congratulate Kingsmen soccer athletes Danny, Cristian and Brandon for earning United Soccer Coaches Men's Soccer All West Region team honors," said head men's soccer coach Dan Kuntz.
"The 2017 team won the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Postseason Tournament Final and earned their spot in the NCAA Tournament," said Kuntz. "Our player recognition is a testament to their talent and the contributions they shared with the Cal Lutheran Kingsmen soccer program. I'm certain that all three players would be quick to thank their teammates as well. Congratulations to all the Kingsmen and especially Danny, Cristian and Brandon."
Aguilar, a native of Oxnard, Calif., received his first All-West Region recognition as he was named to the Third Team. The senior defenseman started all 19 games he played in. Aguilar's main position was defense, but he also contributed on the offense. On the defensive side, he helped the Kingsmen tally eight shutouts. The team also recorded a goals-against average of 0.96. Offensively, he tallied the fourth-most goals on the team with three. He added three assists for a total of nine points.
A senior from Concord, Calif., Kearney was named to the All-West Region for the first time in his career. He has played for the Kingsmen for four years. Kearney was a defenseman for one year before switching to forward. This year, he totaled the second-most points for the Kingsmen with 21 as he scored eight goals and added five assists. He led the team with six-game winning goals including the goal that knocked off Redlands in the SCIAC Postseason Tournament Final and sent Cal Lutheran to the NCAA Tournament.
Hailing from Oxnard, Calif., Yepez earned Third Team honors for the second consecutive season. Yepez started all 19 games he played in. He is a defender for the Kingsmen and has been a focal point for the defense over the past two years. He is part of one of the best defenses in the SCIAC. He helped the defense record eight shutouts while only allowing 20 goals. He scored one goal on the season verses Redlands in the SCIAC Postseason Tournament Final.
The Kingsmen ended their season at the NCAA Division III Tournament. It was their first appearance since 2013.
Release: 2017 All-West Region Teams
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Release by Ryan Jorgenson, Sports Information Director
