WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. - The Monmouth University men's soccer team has placed a program-high five student-athletes on the NSCAA/adidas North Atlantic Region First Team, the organization announced on Thursday.
The group includes senior defender Daniel Bostock (Nottinghamshire, Eng. /Virginia Intermont), junior forward Ryan Kinne (Naugatuck, Conn. /Naugatuck), junior keeper Bryan Meredith (Scotch Plains, N.J. /Scotch Plains-Fanwood), sophomore defender RJ Allen (Old Bridge, N.J. /St. Joseph's) and freshman midfielder Ryan Clark (Freehold, N.J. /Freehold Township).
The five Hawks on the all-region squad bests the previous program high of four, accomplished in 2008, 2007 and 2006.
"It is an amazing accomplishment to have five players named as regional All-Americans," said head coach Robert McCourt. "The commitment these players have shown has been rewarded with justified recognition. Bostock is the only senior on this list. It is exciting that such a talented group of players are returning next year."
Bostock continued a recent Monmouth tradition in claiming the league's Defensive Player of the Year award, the fourth time in the last five years that a Hawk took home the hardware. The central defender, who was also named the ECAC Defensive Player of the Year, also added a goal and an assist while helping lead one of the top defenses in the country. MU led the nation in team goals against average and shutout percentage at the end of the regular season, allowing 0.33 tallies per match while shutting out the opposition in 72% of its matches. He was also named to the ESPN The Magazine Academic All-American Third Team.
Kinne took home NEC Player of the Year honors after leading Monmouth's offense this season. The junior Hermann Award Watch List semifinalist led the Hawks with 10 goals and seven assists, including six game-winning tallies. He was also named to the All-NEC First Team for the second straight season.
Meredith enjoyed one of the finest seasons for a keeper in Monmouth men's soccer history in 2009, leading the nation in goals against average in the regular season, allowing 0.306 goals per game, while also ranking third in the nation in save percentage, stopping 88.9% of the shots he has faced this season. Meredith led all NEC keepers in GAA, save percentage, shutouts (12) and shutout percentage (71%).
Allen, who has started every match since he appeared on campus last season, made his first all-league team after a stellar sophomore season. The attacking defender had two goals and ranked second in the conference with a team-high eight assists, while also supplying solid technical defense along the league's best back line. He was also named the Most Valuable Player of the 2009 NEC Tournament.
Clark enjoyed a banner season in his first campaign in West Long Branch, ranking second on the team with six goals and 17 points, while adding five assists. Clark's 16 points ties him for fifth in the league, while his six goals tie him for the sixth-most in the league.
This season, McCourt and assistant coach Hugh MacDonald was also honored the NSCAA. The duo earned regional Coach and Assistant Coach of the Year, respectively, this season.
