Sunday, December 13, 2009

Colleges: UT's Thompson named Division II first team All-American

The University of Tampa’s Ryan Thompson was named to the National Soccer Coaches Association of American Performance Subaru Division II All-America team, while teammates Dan Ingvarsson and Pascal Milien were also named to the second team and third team respectively on Saturday night.

Thompson finished his college career with a standout season, finishing with a 0.88 goals against average as the Spartans reached the NCAA Division II Tournament Elite Eight, recording an 83 percent save percentage and four shutouts.

"He was spectacular," Spartans coach Adrian Bush said. "What a lot of people don't know is that for a two-week period of our season he had the swine flu, and he never missed a beat. Had almost a break on his foot where he didn't train for another two-week period, and played against (Florida Tech), which I thought was his best performance of the year, he was really a game-time decsision..

"I think he's hands-down on of the top 'keepers in the country in any classification."

Ingvarsson was also instrumental to the Spartans success, marshalling the center of defense in front of Thompson along with Kyle Williams, and also providing quality play from set pieces, scoring five goals and adding seven assists principally from free kicks.

Milien, who was one of only three players from last year’s All-America team to be named again, was also outstanding. He led the Spartans with 12 goals and 31 points, his pace and skill providing the attack with a creative spark.

"I think it's a compliment to the type of players and people they are," Bush said. "I'm happy to see them get the recognition, I think it's well deserved. Those are three guys that don't come by often. It's tough to find those caliber of players, and those type of people, for your program and I think it's well deserved."

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