Thursday, November 10, 2005

Three members of the Valparaiso University men's soccer team were selected to the 2005 Mid-Con All-Conference Second Team, the league announced today.

Senior Jeff Oleck (Indianapolis, Ind./Cathedral), junior D.J. Catrow (Springfield, Ohio/Catholic Central) and sophomore Tyler Pagano (Mundelein, Ill./Mundelein) all were named to the team at the conference's annual awards banquet in Kansas City, Mo.

Catrow earned a spot on the Second Team for the second consecutive season, thanks to team-leading totals of six goals, four assists and 16 points during the regular season. The junior forward also led the Brown and Gold with 46 shots, 17 on goal, and one game-winning tally. Catrow is the first Crusader to earn back-to-back all-conference commendations since J.J. Ruane accomplished the feat in the 1998 and 1999 seasons.

Oleck is also making his second appearance on the all-conference team after placing on the Second Team in 2002 as a freshman. The most decorated keeper in school history, Oleck had the best season of his four-year career in 2005. The senior broke the single-season record for shutouts (5) and is currently first in goals against average (1.54). He also broke the school's career record for shutouts (14) and leads in goals against average (2.01). His 338 saves are second best all-time.

Pagano, a transfer from Massachusetts in his first season with the Valpo program, is recognized mainly for his defensive work. The 5'10" sophomore started 12 matches in the regular season and was part of a backfield that allowed 25 goals in 17 matches, good for a school-record 1.42 goals against average. The Valpo defense has also posted six shutouts, tying a school record.

Oral Roberts' Dave Leung was named the conference's Offensive Player of the Year and Oakland keeper Jeff Wiese captured Defensive Player of the Year, each for the second consecutive season. Oral Roberts forward Carlos Pinto was tabbed Newcomer of the Year and Oakland's Gary Parsons was named the league's Coach of the Year.

The Crusaders open the Mid-Continent Conference Tournament Friday morning against regular-season champion and top seeded Oakland at 11:00. The winner of the Valpo-Oakland match will meet the Western Illinois-Oral Roberts winner Sunday at 12:00 p.m. for the Mid-Con Championship.