Jan. 2, 2006
The Lobo men’s soccer team continues to grab postseason honors following its historic run to the national title game in December. Three Lobos were recently honored for their work in the classroom, earning National Soccer Coaches Association of America Scholar Athlete recognition. Seniors Brandon Moss and Jeff Rowland earned a spot on the Scholar Athlete team for the second time in their careers while junior Andrew Boyens enjoyed his first selection. To be eligible for consideration for the team, a player must by at least a junior in academic standing, have no less than a 3.30 cumulative grade point average, start at least 50 percent of the team’s games and be nominated by an NSCAA member coach.
Rowland and Boyens both made the first team while Moss was a second team selection. The Lobos joined Whitworth College as the only schools in the country with three players selected overall.
Rowland, a 2005 Hermann Trophy Finalist, earned his second, first team NSCAA Scholar Athlete recognition. He is one of three players to earn repeat honors on the first team. Rowland posted a 3.79 g.p.a. in Accounting and was also on the CollegeSoccerNews.com first team All-American list. Rowland led the Lobos with 36 points on 16 goals and four assists in 2005 and is the first two-time All-American in program history. He had six game-winners in 2005, including two in overtime in the NCAA Tournament against Cal-State Northridge and Cal. He was also an ESPN the Magazine First Team Academic All-American the past two seasons.
Boyens, a defender from Dunedin, New Zealand, was a second team CollegeSoccerNews.com and third team NSCAA All-American selection. He posted a 3.44 g.p.a. in University Studies and is the first Lobo defender to earn All-American honors. He finished the year second on the team in scoring with 17 points on seven goals and three assists. He also had the game-winning goal against Clemson in the national semifinals and was named to the College Cup All-Tournament team.
Moss was a four-year starter for the Lobos and a team captain since his sophomore season. He played in 81 career games, tying for the most in school history. A three-time all-region selection, Moss grabbed Scholar Athlete honors for the second year in a row. He scored a 3.69 g.p.a. in Exercise Science while netting a goal and two assists on the field last season.