From Case Western Reserve University Athletics
Case Western Reserve University senior midfielder Matt Vatne was named to the United Soccer Coaches All-America Third Team as announced by the organization on Wednesday. In addition, senior midfielder Sean Atwater and graduate student defender Alexandru Rumleanschi were named to the All-Region VII Third Team with Vatne earning All-Region First Team honors.
Vatne becomes the fifth player in program history to earn United Soccer Coaches (previously NSCAA) All-America honors and the first since former Spartan Chris Cvecko was named to the Second Team in 2015. Vinny Bell was named to the Third Team in 2010 and the Second Team in 2011, Niro Wimalase was a Second Team honoree in 2011, and Matt Paglia was named to the Third Team in 2007. Vatne is also the first All-Region First Team honoree since former Spartan Nathan Ekberg was named to the All-Great Lakes Region First Team in 2018.
Vatne, the University Athletic Association Offensive Player of the Year and a two-time All-UAA First Team selection, led the Spartans with 22 points on a team-leading eight goals and team-high six assists. For his career, he has scored 13 goals and added 11 assists for 37 career points. The senior put 45% of his shots on target in 2022 and delivered a game-winning goal against Defiance on September 20. He either scored or tallied an assist in 11 of the team's 17 matches.
Atwater earned his first All-Region honor after placing second on the team with 14 points on five goals and four assists. He was named to the All-UAA First Team for the first time in his career earlier this year. Atwater, who played in 59 career games, scored six goals and tallied eight assists.
Rumleanschi, playing in his first season for CWRU after four seasons with Notre Dame (Ohio), was named to the All-UAA Second Team in addition to his All-Region honors for his play on the Spartan backline. He started 13 matches as the Case Western Reserve center back, adding two goals on the offensive end. This season, the Spartans allowed a goals against average of 1.22, recording four shutouts.
The Spartans finished the season with a record of 10-3-4 after falling to Muhlenberg in the First Round of the NCAA Division III Championship in penalty kicks following a 0-0 double overtime tie. It was the fourth postseason appearance in program history.