Good news has surrounded the Chico State men’s soccer team over the past two seasons. That trend continued Wednesday with the release of the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) All-West Region Team. Wildcats Ferid Celosmanovic and Tyson Crim received First Team recognition, defender Jacob Darr was named to the Second Team and Chris Akwaja received Third Team accolades. The All-America teams, for which Celosmanovic and Crim are now both eligible, have not yet been released.
Celosmanovic’s ridiculous resume got a line longer as he and Akwaja prepare to attend the San Jose Earthquakes’ combine this weekend. The senior from Brcko, Bosnia, already named First Team All-CCAA this season, was a First Team All-American in 2010 while earning First Team All-Region and First Team All-CCAA honors as well. He was also the CCAA’s Offensive Player of the Year and Newcomer of the Year.
Celosmanovic, a transfer from West Valley Community College where he was twice named First Team All-Bay Valley/West Valley Athletic League, capped his collegiate career with 43 goals and 25 assists.
Crim’s selection is evidence that the region’s coaches understood his value as the engine in the midfield that made the Wildcats go. He finished the year with a team-high five assists while starting all 21 matches. Crim was also named Second Team All-CCAA this season and earned Honorable Mention All-CCAA honors in 2010. He will enter his senior season next fall with career totals of three goals and 13 assists, needing just two more helpers to move into Chico State’s career top 10.
Darr capped his senior season sensationally. The First Team All-CCAA selection anchored a back line that allowed just 17 goals in 21 matches. He logged 78 career starts on a defense that allowed only 81 goals in 82 matches over his four seasons.
Akwaja, a First Team All-CCAA and First Team All-West Region selection in 2010, scored seven goals this season to bring his four-year career totals to 21 goals and four assists.
COMPLETE 2011 NSCAA ALL-WEST REGION TEAM
