The University of Akron Athletics
Caldwell, Mattocks Earn NSCAA All-America Honors
December 09 | Men's Soccer
AKRON, Ohio – After helping to lead The University of Akron men's soccer team to its fourth consecutive Round of 16, sophomore Darren Mattocks and junior Scott Caldwell each earned All-American status, the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) announced Friday.
Mattocks, the 2011 Mid-American Conference Player of the Year and Hermann Trophy semifinalist, garnered second team honors, while Caldwell, who finished fourth in the nation with 11 assists, was named to the third team.
It is the first time either have earned All-American honors and the fourth straight year the Zips have landed multiple players on the esteemed list. In all, UA has now recorded 10 NSCAA All-Americans under sixth-year head coach Caleb Porter.
Mattocks, who finished the fall with 21 goals in 22 matches, further established himself as one of the most dangerous finishers in the nation in 2011. Displaying a special ability to break open a game at any moment, Jamaican striker scored multiple goals in a game six times, including a pair of hat tricks at Tulsa (Sept. 24) and at Buffalo (Oct. 21).
Of his 21 goals, which matched the third-highest single-season total in school history, six were game-winners, including the decisive strike against SMU in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Mattocks finished the year second in the nation in total goals and fourth in total points with 46 (21 G, 4 A).
Caldwell, who was also named to the Academic All-American team this fall with a 3.95 cumulative GPA as an accounting major, enjoyed a career season in 2011 with personal highs for goals (6) and assists. The native of Braintree, Mass., started all 23 games at midfield for the Zips and notched a pair of game-winners, while assisting two others.
In all, the 35 athletes from around the country were selected for the All-America first, second and third teams. They will be recognized at the annual All-America Luncheon, to be held in the Kansas City Convention Center's Grand Ballroom on Saturday, Jan. 14, in conjunction with the 2012 NSCAA Convention in Kansas City, Mo.
For the complete list of 2012 NSCAA All-Americans, please visit NSCAA.com.
