Sterling named first ever two-time men's soccer All-American; Hargrove, Lambert also honored
KANSAS CITY, Kan. - Salisbury University senior forward Kyle Sterling (Salisbury, Md.) was named a 2009 National Soccer Coaches Association of America first-team All-American this week. This is the second time in four years that Sterling has been named an All-American, as he was a third-team honoree in 2008.
The Salisbury, Md., native is the first player in the 76-year history of the Salisbury men's soccer program to be a two-time All-American. The SU soccer program now has 11 total All-American honors.
Sterling capped off a brilliant career with a fine senior season in which he led the team in points (41), goals scored (16), assists (nine) and game-winning goals (four). The 6-foot-2 forward finished the year ranked 19th in the nation in points per game at 2.05. For his play he was named Capital Athletic Conference Player of the Year, a first-team All-CAC recipient and an Eastern Colleges Athletic Conference South Region All-Star. Sterling wrapped up his career with 129 total points on 50 goals and 29 assists.
Sterling also garnered NSCAA All-South Atlantic Region first-team honors, marking the third straight year he was honored. SU senior midfielder Alex Hargrove (Clarks Summit, Pa.) and junior defender Justin Lambert (Silver Spring, Md.) were named to the second and third team, respectively. This marks the first time in their careers that they have received All-Region accolades.
The All-Region honors in 2009 mark the 10th time in program history that the Sea Gulls have had at least three players collect All-Region accolades.
Hargrove had a strong senior season, one in which he started all 20 games and was named All-CAC for the second time in four years. Hargrove was a team leader in the midfield for the nation's third-best scoring offense at 3.55 goals per game. Hargrove contributed to the scoring on his own, matching his career-high 18 points that he set in 2007, on six goals and six assists. Hargrove's best performance of the year came in the first round of the NCAA tournament where he scored two goals in the Gulls' 4-1 win over Virginia Wesleyan College.
Lambert wrapped up his first season in the maroon and gold with a fine year in which he garnered All-CAC second-team honors in addition to the All-Region nod. Lambert was a key member of the SU defense that had the nation's 14th-best team goals against average at 0.58 goals per game. The Silver Spring, Md., native chipped in on the offensive end for the Gulls too, as he finished with nine points on three goals and three assists. Lambert's most important goal of the season was the eventual game-winner in the Sea Gulls' thrilling 2-1 victory over No. 1 Christopher Newport University on Oct. 21.
Familiar company joined the three SU student-athletes on the All-South Atlantic Region teams, as 14 players honored played on teams the Sea Gulls squared off with in 2009.
The Sea Gulls went 15-3-2 during the season and advanced to the second round of the NCAA tournament. SU is set to return 21 letter-winners to the 2010 squad, including Lambert.
Also see:
