From University of Chicago Athletics
The University of Chicago men's soccer team was awarded five spots on the All-Central Region Teams by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) on Thursday. Additionally, Head Coach Mike Babst and his assistant coaches were picked as the Central Region Coaching Staff of the Year.
2016 NSCAA NCAA Division III Men's All-Central Region Teams
UChicago's five All-Region selections were its most ever in a single year, with four placed on the First Team. All the First Team All-Region recipients were previously named First Team All-University Athletic Association (UAA) in mid-November.
One of the First Team honorees was goalkeeper Hill Bonin. The junior started all 20 games in goal and led one of the country's stingiest defenses. Bonin only allowed eight goals in 20 games (0.40 goals against average) while posting an .852 save percentage. He finished with a 17-1-2 record on the season and compiled a school-record 13 shutouts.
At midfielder, Nicco Capotosto was a First Team selection after receiving UAA Most Valuable Player accolades at the conclusion of the conference schedule. Capotosto helped anchor the defense and also contributed offensively with six assists, ranking second on the team in that category. He played in 19 games with 18 starts.
Brenton Desai received All-Region status for the third time in his career. The First Team senior forward was second on the Maroons in scoring with nine goals and four assists for a total of 22 points in 17 games. Two of his goals were game-winners. He ends his career with the fourth-most goals (33) and fifth-most points in the program's record book.
Max Lopez was a First Team forward, picking up his second-straight All-Region honor in the process. As the lead attacker on the Maroons, Lopez started all 20 games and led the team with 38 points. He scored 13 goals, including three game-winners. His 12 assists were tied for the most in a season in school history.
Matthew Koh became a two-time All-Region performer with a spot on the Third Team. The sophomore forward played in 19 games and made 18 starts. Koh tied for second on the squad with six assists. His five goals included one game-winner. Koh was also a Second Team All-UAA selection.
Babst and his staff received the Central Region coaching accolades following one of the most successful campaigns in program history. The Maroons started the season with a school-record 15-match winning streak en route to a final record of 17-1-2. The 17 wins were the most in program history, topping the 15 victories from 1996. UChicago boasted one of the best defenses in the country, setting school records with only eight goals allowed and 15 shutouts. UChicago won the UAA title to gain its eighth trip to the NCAA postseason, eventually reaching the quarterfinal round for the second time ever.