Dec. 9, 2005
SANTA CLARA, Calif. - Generally considered one of the top playmakers in college soccer, Santa Clara University junior Mehdi Ballouchy continues to validate that label as he was honored today by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America as a first-team selection on the 2005 NSCAA/adidas Men's Division I All-America squad.
He joins Mark Hunter (1981), Dave Palic (1988), Cameron Rast (1989, 1991) and Eric Denton (1999) as Santa Clara's first-team All-America selections.
Ballouchy, the West Coast Conference Player of the Year, is the first native Moroccan student ever to attend Santa Clara University and is one of four foreign-born players on the SCU squad -- Hector Guzman (San Jose, Costa Rica), Ted Kristensson (Ludvika, Sweden) and Mutanda Kwesele (Mufulira, Zambia). Senior Kelechi Igwe and freshman Jide Ogunbiyi both have Nigerian ties as well.
A semifinalist for the Hermann Trophy, which is awarded by the Missouri Athletic Club to the nation's top college soccer player, Ballouchy started 21 of 22 matches this season and tied for the team lead with seven assists. His only goal was the game-winner against Saint Mary's in overtime.
Santa Clara, which ranked as high as fourth nationally during the season, finished the season with a 13-6-3 overall record and a 6-4-2 mark and second place finish in the WCC. The Broncos went 7-1-1 at home during the season and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament. SCU defeated Ohio State by a score of 1-0 at home before playing to a scoreless draw at Cal in the second round. The Bears advanced in the tournament by virtue of a 5-4 edge in penalty kicks.
The honorees will be invited to the NSCAA All-America Luncheon, which will be held on Saturday, Jan. 21, as part of the 2006 NSCAA Convention in Philadelphia, Pa.
Pos., Name, Cl., School, Hometown
First Team
G, Chris Dunsheath, Sr., Bradley, Rockford, Ill.
D, Gregory Dalby, Jr., Notre Dame, Poway, Calif.
D, Tyson Wahl, Sr., California, Newport Beach, Calif.
D, Marvel Wynne, So., UCLA, Poway, Calif.
M, Mehdi Ballouchy*, Jr., Santa Clara, Casablanca, Morocco
M, Scott Jones*, Jr., UNC-Greensboro, Dallas, Texas
M, Yohann Mauger, Sr., Akron, Rennes, France
M, Brian Plotkin, Sr., Indiana, Lisle, Ill.
F, Jason Garey*, Sr., Maryland, Gonzales, La.
F, Ross McKenzie, Sr., Akron, Whangamata, New Zealand
F, Jeff Rowland*, Sr., New Mexico, Albuquerque, N.M.
F, Willie Sims, Jr., Cal State-Northridge, Los Angeles, Calif.
Second Team
G, Phil Marfuggi, Jr., Clemson, Manalapan, N.J.
D, Patrick Ianni, Jr., UCLA, Lodi, Calif.
D, Julius James, So., Connecticut, Maloney Gardens, Trinidad
D, John Latting, Sr., Davidson, Birmingham, Ala.
M, Blake Camp*, Sr., Duke, Danielsville, Ga.
M, Dax McCarty, So., North Carolina, Winter Park, Fla.
M, Ryan McMahen, Sr., Michigan State, Munster, Ind.
M, Sinisa Ubiparipovic, Jr., Akron, Mentor, Ohio
F, Ryan Anderson, So., Missouri State, St. Charles, Mo.
F, Calen Carr, Sr., California, Berkeley, Calif.
F, Duke Hashimoto, Sr., Southern Methodist, Kapolei, Hawaii
F, Aaron King, Sr., North Carolina State, Denver, Colo.
F, Randi Patterson*, Jr., UNC-Greensboro, Hackensack, N.J.
Third Team
G, Tally Hall, Jr., San Diego State, Gig Harbor, Wash.
D, Andrew Boyens, Jr., New Mexico, Dunedin, New Zealand
D, Andy Iro, So., UC-Santa Barbara, Liverpool, England
D, Nathan Sturgis, So., Clemson, St. Augustine, Fla.
D, Matt Wieland, Sr., Creighton, Omaha, Neb.
D, Jed Zayner, Jr., Indiana, Orland Park, Ill.
M, Mike Chabala, Sr., Washington, Fresno, Calif.
M, Matt Groenwald, Sr., St. John's, Mt. Prospect, Ill.
M, Lance Watson, Sr., New Mexico, Nederland, Texas
F, Brian Cvilikas, Sr., Old Dominion, Highlands Ranch, Colo.
F, Willy Guadarama, So., Campbell, Cedar Park, Texas
F, Sascha Kljestan*, Jr., Seton Hall, Huntington Beach, Calif.
F, Jacob Peterson, Jr., Indiana, Portage, Mich.
* indicates prior selection
