The University of Akron Athletics
Men's Soccer Lands Four On Academic All-District Team
November 01 | Men's Soccer
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AKRON, Ohio – For the third straight season, the University of Akron men's soccer program has four honorees on the Capital One Academic All-District team, the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) announced Thursday.
Making the prestigious list for the third consecutive season were seniors Chad Barson (3.99, Biology) and David Meves (3.77, Corporate Finance). They were joined by repeat honoree Scott Caldwell (3.94, Accounting) and first-time honoree junior Reinaldo Brenes (3.90, International Business).
To be nominated, a student-athlete must maintain a 3.3 cumulative grade-point average, participate in at least 50 percent of their team's games and be of at least sophomore athletic eligibility. By being named to the All-District First Team, all four UA standouts are eligible for 2012 Academic All-American status.
Barson, Caldwell and Meves each went on to earn Academic All-America honors in 2011. Barson and Meves have garnered the distinction in each of the last two seasons.
Barson, a team captain and veteran center back, and Meves, a goalkeeper who is the school's all-time leader in shutouts (51), minutes played (8,138) and wins (73), have teamed up to lead one of the most effective defensive units in the nation and in college soccer history.
The Zips entered the week tied with North Carolina for the top shutout percentage in the country and ranked No. 2 behind UNC for the best goals-against-average (GAA) in Division I. After earning their 13th clean sheet of the season against Michigan State Wednesday, UA lowered its team GAA to 0.34 and upped its shutout percentage to .765.
Brenes, who is enjoying a breakout season, and Caldwell, a team captain, Hermann Trophy candidate and finalist for the Senior CLASS Award, have spearheaded the nation's seventh most-prolific attack in terms of scoring offense with an average of 2.24 goals per contest. Brenes enters the weekend's regular-season finale with a team-high 10 goals and two assists in 15 matches while Caldwell follows closely with eight goals and six assists.
The No. 2 Zips (14-1-2) will host Western Michigan in the final regular-season match for both schools Saturday at FirstEnergy Stadium – Cub Cadet Field. UA will salute its four seniors – Barson, Caldwell, Meves and Thomas Schmitt – prior to kick off at 7:30 p.m. (ET).
