SEATTLE – (Dec. 1) Five members of Seattle University men’s soccer have been named to the 2017 United Soccer Coaches All-West Region Teams. Nathan Aune and Alex Roldan were First Team, Sergio Rivas was Second Team, and Josh Adachi and Anthony Ayala were Third Team choices.
Aune, the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) Defensive Player of the Year, anchored a terrific back line that tallied 10 shutouts this season. The native of Arlington, Wash., started 22 games, adding three goals and an assist. He scored in SU’s 2-1 win over San Jose State in the WAC Championship on his way to all-tournament accolades.
Roldan put up six goals and a team-high eight assists in his senior season. He was selected All-WAC First Team for a second straight year. The Pico Rivera, Calif., native scored the game-winner in the WAC Championship to cap a strong showing in Las Vegas, where he claimed all-tournament honors.
In his junior year, Rivas compiled a team high eight goals to go along with six helpers. The All-WAC Second Team pick scored a goal and assisted on another in the Redhawks’ overtime win at Washington in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. The all-region nod is Rivas’ second of his career, having earned third team in 2015.
Adachi recorded a terrific debut season in goal, posting 10 shutouts. He also claimed WAC Tournament MVP after conceding just one goal in 290 minutes of game play in the three matches. The Pearl City, Hawai’i, native shut out UNLV for 110 minutes and then made two clutch saves in SU’s dramatic penalty kick win to advance to the WAC Championship game.
Ayala, a redshirt junior, started all 23 games in his first season as a Redhawks’ regular. He was key in SU’s 10 shutouts and collected All-WAC Second Team honors. The native of Carmichael, Calif., played a vital role throughout the season, as he and Aune formed a formidable duo on the back line.
Seattle U had a stellar season, winning an NCAA Tournament game for the third time in five years. It also won the WAC Championship for the third time since 2013. Coach Pete Fewing’s squad is one of three Division I programs to win at least 11 games in each of the last five seasons.
The five Redhawks will now be on the United Soccer Coaches All-American ballot. The All-American teams will be announced on Dec. 7.