Thursday, November 18, 2010

Valparaiso fifth-year senior goalkeeper Ryan Schwarz (Rockford, Ill./Boylan Catholic) has been named to the 2010 ESPN Academic All-America Men’s Soccer Third Team, as selected by CoSIDA (College Sports Information Directors of America).  Schwarz is the first Crusader men’s soccer player in program history to earn Academic All-American honors.

Schwarz, a two-time Horizon League Goalkeeper of the Year, registered seven wins in 2010 and set career bests for both goals against average (0.93) and save percentage (.806).  Included among his seven victories were four shutouts, giving him 17 career clean sheets, the most in Crusader history.  Schwarz also ended his career as Valpo’s all-time leader in GAA (1.45) and third in program history in saves (291).  As a junior, he was named one of 34 finalists for National Player of the Year accolades by Soccer News Net while setting team records for single-season wins (10), shutouts (7) and GAA (1.07).

In the classroom, Schwarz holds a 3.72 grade point average as a finance major.  A two-time selection to the Academic All-District V First Team, Schwarz was also an NSCAA Scholar All-Region selection a year ago.  He has twice been named to the Academic All-Horizon League squad and has earned a spot on the league’s Academic Honor Roll each semester he has been eligible.  Schwarz has also been named to the Dean’s List and received Presidential academic honors during his time at Valpo.

Schwarz’s selection marks the seventh straight academic year that Valparaiso has had at least one athlete receive Academic All-America recognition, while he is the 12th honoree overall for the Crusaders over that time frame.