Four Redhawks Named to All-Region Teams

Seattle University men’s soccer earned four spots on the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) All-West Region Teams after their historic run to the NCAA Sweet 16 in 2015. Kyle Bjornethun (Snohomish, Wash.) and David Olsen (Auburn, Wash.) were named to the First Team, Shane Haworth (Puyallup, Wash.) was named to the Second Team, and Sergio Rivas (Albuquerque, N.M.) was named to the Third Team. The Redhawks comprise four of the Western Athletic Conference’s 14 honorees.

Bjornethun, the NSCAA National Player of the Week earlier this season (Sept. 21-27), was named WAC Defensive Player of the Year, also earning First Team All-Conference and WAC All-Tournament Team accolades. He scored both goals in the final 96 seconds in a 2-1 victory at No. 13 Oregon State on Sept. 27. Contributing on both sides of the ball, Bjornethun was key in anchoring a backline that posted 10 shutouts as well as scoring over 20 percent the number of goals allowed by Seattle U in 2015.

Olsen led the nation in goals (16) in 2015 and still ranks fourth in NCAA total points as of Dec. 5. Most recently, he was named a MAC Hermann Semifinalist, with finalists to be announced on Friday, Dec. 11. A three-time College Soccer News Team of the Week and two-time Top Drawer Soccer Team of the Week member, he received first team All-Conference honors as well as being named the WAC Tournament MVP.

Haworth broke his own single season record in 2015 with 10 shutouts, earning First Team All-Conference accolades. Making numerous game-preserving saves over the course of the season, he was crucial in goal in shutouts vs. Northwestern, Harvard, UCLA, and Utah Valley, the latter two also participants in the NCAA’s field of 48 in 2015.

Rivas was named WAC Freshman of the Year, also earning Second Team All-Conference and WAC All-Tournament team accolades during his opening campaign as a Redhawk. A key member of the Seattle U midfield, Rivas was named to the TopDrawerSoccer Midseason Freshmen Top 100 (No. 84). Notably, Rivas scored both goals in a 2-0 shutout vs. Harvard on Sept. 18 and assisted the go-ahead goal vs. No. 10 Washington on Sept. 24.

The Redhawks finished a historic 2015 season in the NCAA Sweet 16, going 3-0 versus the Pac-12 including wins vs. No. 10 Washington, No. 13 Oregon State, and most recently, No. 25 UCLA in the NCAA Second Round. Seattle U’s coaching staff earned Regional Coach of the Year honors for the sixth time as the Redhawks made their second NCAA tournament run in the past three years.

For the full list of honorees click HERE.