KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Four members of Seattle University men’s soccer have been named United Soccer Coaches All-Far West Region for the 2019 season. Nkosi Burgess earned first team, while Julian Avila-Good, Declan McGlynn, and Thomas Mickoski were picked to the second team.
“I’m happy for each one of the guys,” said Coach Pete Fewing. “It’s well-deserved. Nkosi did a great job and got better as the season went on. Julian and Thomas are really underrated for what they bring to the team. Declan just continues to get better. He had a terrific season and he’s adjusted well to the college game.”
Burgess, a graduate transfer from Manhattan, N.Y., proved to be a vital addition to the SU defense. The 6-4 center back made 18 starts, as the Redhawks claimed 10 shutouts on the year. The 2019 WAC Defensive Player of the Year used his skill and size to wipe out many opposing attacks, as SU allowed just 0.83 goals per game. He added a goal and an assist offensively.
Avila-Good, a senior captain from Winnipeg, Manitoba, started all 23 games in 2019. He mostly patrolled the defensive midfield, but also filled in on defense when needed early in the season. Avila-Good was an All-WAC First Team choice after conducting the Redhawks’ transition from defense to attacking. He scored the tying goal in the WAC Tournament Championship Game, earning all-tournament honors.
McGlynn is a sophomore from Kirkland, Wash. The forward had a stellar season up front, leading Seattle U with 10 goals and eight assists in 23 starts. The All-WAC First Team pick led the team with 32 shots on goal and scored three game-winning goals, including an OT score to beat Utah Valley on Oct. 27. McGlynn was chosen United Soccer Coaches National Player of the Week after tallying a hat trick against Kansas City earlier in October.
Mickoski, a senior out of Innisfil, Ontario, put together a strong season at right back. In 20 starts, he helped SU earn 10 shutouts, also putting up four assists.
Seattle U won the WAC regular season and tournament titles and then beat Loyola Marymount in the NCAA Tournament. It tied at Stanford in the second round, with the Cardinal advancing on penalty kicks. The Redhawks closed their season with the longest active unbeaten streak in the country at 16 games.
In the last three seasons, a total of 11 Redhawks have been named all-region. Sergio Rivas and Nathan Aune earned honors last year, while Rivas, Aune, Alex Roldan, Josh Adachi, and Anthony Ayala were picked in 2017.