Mercer And Chacko Named All-Region

Westminster College men's soccer players Matt Mercer and Jeff Chacko have been named to the 2007 NSCAA/adidas NCAA Division III All-South Central Region teams as voted on by members of the National Soccer Coaches Association of America.

Mercer, a senior forward from St. Louis, Missouri (Whitfield High School), is a first-team all-south central region selection after earning second team honors as a junior. Mercer was a first team all-St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference selection this season and led the Blue Jays in goals (23), assists (9), and points (55). In the process, he set individual single-season school records for goals and points. Mercer finished the season ranked third nationally in goals a game (1.28), third nationally in points a game (3.06), and he finished 32nd nationally in assists a game (.50).

Chacko, a freshman midfielder from Little Rock, Arkansas (Catholic High School), is a third team all-south central region pick. Chacko was named Co-Newcomer of the Year in the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference this past season and he was a second team all-league pick. Chacko appeared in all 20 matches this season and finished third on the team in goals a game (5), second in assists a game (5) and third in points (15) in his first year of play at Westminster College.

Westminster finished the season 10-10 and placed second in conference play at 7-2. The Blue Jays finished 13th nationally in scoring offense, averaging 3.35 goals a game. The Blue Jays recorded a national team-high 18 goals in an 18-0 win over Lincoln Christian College. The team also recorded the 8th highest national offensive output in a 12-0 win at Eureka College.

Three Receive SLIAC Academic Recognition

Three members of the Westminster College men's soccer team have earned academic all-conference honors by the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. To be eligible for academic all-conference recognition, a student-athlete must maintain a minimum 3.5 cumulative grade point average, be at least a sophomore in academic standing and have at least one full year of residence at their current institution (first year transfers and true freshmen are not eligible).

Westminster Honor Winners:
Mthokozisi Dlamini, Jr., Manzini, Swaziland/UWC
Nenad Stamatovic, Jr., Vukovar, Croatia/UWC
Michael Tulley, So., Ballwin, Mo./Marquette

Chacko Named SLIAC Co-Newcomer Of The Year

Westminster College freshman Jeff Chacko has been named St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Co-Newcomer of the Year by a vote of the men's soccer coaches.

Chacko, a freshman forward from Little Rock, Arkansas (Catholic High School), was named to the all-conference second team and shared Newcomer of the Year honors with Matt Reeb of Greenville College. Chacko appeared in all 20 matches and recorded five goals and five assists to finish third on the team in scoring with 15 points.

Matt Mercer and Brandon Blase earned first team all-conference recognition and were also named to the SLIAC all-tournament team. Mercer, a senior forward from St. Louis, Missouri (Whitfield), appeared in 18 matches and led the team in goals (23), assists (9) and points (55). Mercer set individual single-season school records for goals (23) and points (55). Blase, a junior back from St. Charles, Missouri (Duchesne), played in 18 matches, recorded six goals, five assists and a team-high three game-winning goals.

Taylor Webb, a freshman goal keeper from Jefferson City, Missouri (Jefferson City), was named honorable mention all-conference. Webb took over the starting role after transferring to Westminster early in the season. Webb appeared in 11 matches and allowed nine goals for a .98 goals against average. Webb compiled a 6-2 record with three shut outs.

Westminster finished the season 10-10 overall after opening the season 1-4. The Blue Jays finished tied for second in the league standings at 7-2 and earned the second seed for the conference tournament.

2007 SLIAC Men's Soccer Tournament
10/31 Semifinal: #1 Principia 3, #4 Maryville 1
10/31 Semifinal: #3 Fontbonne 3, #2 Westminster 0
11/3 Final: Principia 1, Fontbonne 0