Photo by: Doug Brown
Four Highlanders Earn Men's Soccer All-Conference Honors
10/30/2018 7:33:00 PM | Men's Soccer
RIVERSIDE, Calif.—The Big West Conference announced its 2018 Men's Soccer All-Conference awards Tuesday afternoon naming four Highlanders from 2nd seeded UC Riverside to All-Conference Teams. UCR's scoring leader, sophomore Daniel Aguirre, earned First-Team All-Conference honors and Daniel Castaneda was named to the All-Freshman Team. Senior Dusan Keca and sophomore Roberto Garcia-Vargas rounded out the Highlander presence earning Honorable Mentions.
ALL-CONFERENCE HONORS
After being named to the All-Freshman Team last year, Aguirre didn't lose a step in 2018 leading the Highlanders in goals (5) and points (12), and tying for most assists (2). The attacking midfielder becomes the first Highlander to be named First Team since Romario Lomeli in 2016.
Another midfielder in Castaneda has truly had an impact in just his first year playing at the Division I level scoring two goals and notching one assist, but the stat sheet can not speak to his enormous involvement and presence on the offensive end. The rookie Highlander has also enjoyed some big moments this year so far scoring the match-tying goal vs CBU in the Crosstown Showdown and a game winner just one match later at San Diego.
Senior captain and defensive anchor Keca has made his mark on both ends of the field this year leading UC Riverside to seven shutouts, five of which were wins, and scoring three goals for the Highlanders. After Castaneda tied the Crosstown Showdown in September, it was Keca who delivered UCR's first win of the season punching in a golden-goal penalty kick in the 110th minute.
Garcia-Vargas was the sole Highlander forward named to Big West All-Conference Teams scoring three goals this season, including a game-winner at Sacramento State just a week ago that helped UC Riverside take the 2nd seed and secure a first-round bye. He has been a consistent presence for UCR starting in 14 matches so far this season.
The Big West awards are out, but the season is far from finished as the 2nd seeded Highlanders are set to host the Big West Tournament Semi-Final Round this Saturday, November 3rd at 7:00 PM. UCR will face the winner of Tomorrow's match between UC Santa Barbara and Cal State Fullerton.
Make sure you get your tickets for Big West Postseason action by clicking here.
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ALL-CONFERENCE HONORS
After being named to the All-Freshman Team last year, Aguirre didn't lose a step in 2018 leading the Highlanders in goals (5) and points (12), and tying for most assists (2). The attacking midfielder becomes the first Highlander to be named First Team since Romario Lomeli in 2016.
Another midfielder in Castaneda has truly had an impact in just his first year playing at the Division I level scoring two goals and notching one assist, but the stat sheet can not speak to his enormous involvement and presence on the offensive end. The rookie Highlander has also enjoyed some big moments this year so far scoring the match-tying goal vs CBU in the Crosstown Showdown and a game winner just one match later at San Diego.
Senior captain and defensive anchor Keca has made his mark on both ends of the field this year leading UC Riverside to seven shutouts, five of which were wins, and scoring three goals for the Highlanders. After Castaneda tied the Crosstown Showdown in September, it was Keca who delivered UCR's first win of the season punching in a golden-goal penalty kick in the 110th minute.
Garcia-Vargas was the sole Highlander forward named to Big West All-Conference Teams scoring three goals this season, including a game-winner at Sacramento State just a week ago that helped UC Riverside take the 2nd seed and secure a first-round bye. He has been a consistent presence for UCR starting in 14 matches so far this season.
The Big West awards are out, but the season is far from finished as the 2nd seeded Highlanders are set to host the Big West Tournament Semi-Final Round this Saturday, November 3rd at 7:00 PM. UCR will face the winner of Tomorrow's match between UC Santa Barbara and Cal State Fullerton.
Make sure you get your tickets for Big West Postseason action by clicking here.
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Players Mentioned
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