Seniors Derek Rogalsky (Richland, Wash.) and Wesley VanHooser (Lake Stevens, Wash.) were named to the MPSF All-Academic Team after stellar senior seasons. Rogalsky, earning the fifth-highest grade point average among the honorees at 3.873, started 14 of the 15 matches he appeared in, scoring a goal in the season finale at Portland on Nov. 12. VanHooser, making the team with a 3.161 GPA, played in 16 matches, including eight starts, earning an assist on the game-winning goal against Cal State Bakersfield on Nov. 8.
The two veterans are joined by sophomores Brandon Hamer (Carmichael, Calif.) and Kyle Peterman (Boise, Idaho) on the conference's academic honor roll. Hamer started 15 of the 16 matches he appeared in, notching 15 total shots, including six shots on goal, and also maintained a 3.429 grade point average after the fall quarter. The team's leading scorer in 2008, Peterman, on the all-academic team with a 3.200 GPA, started 11 of the 13 matches he appeared in this season, picking up an assist on the game-winning goal in the historic overtime victory over Oregon State on Sept. 19.
"I am very proud of Derek, Kyle, Wes, and Brandon," head coach Brad Agoos said. "As a program we believe you can excel both on the field and in the classroom. It doesn't have to be one or the other. These four guys are models for what we are looking for in our program and what our university is hoping all of our student-athletes can accomplish."
To be considered as an MPSF All-Academic honoree, student-athletes must be at least a sophomore academically, must have completed one full academic year at the institution prior to the fall 2009 season, must have competed in 50 percent or more of the team's competitions, and must have a 3.0 or higher grade point average. The University of New Mexico led the conference with seven honorees, including senior Simon Ejdemyr, who had the highest grade point average among all the honorees at 4.107.
The Seattle University men's soccer team finished a tough 2009 schedule with a 4-12-1 record, but finished tied for fourth in the MPSF with a 3-4 league record. With 19 players from the 2009 roster eligible to come back next season, the Redhawks will look to improve their position in the MPSF as they become eligible for the NCAA Tournament in the 2010 campaign.