Colleges: Former Charger MacMath named All-American

Former Clearwater Chargers goalkeeper Zac MacMath, now a sophomore at Maryland, completed a memorable weekend for goalkeepers with local ties as he joined South Florida’s Jeff Attinella (Countryside) on the National Soccer Coaches Association of America Division I All-America team, being named to the third team.

MacMath, who was also a member of the U.S. under-17 Academy in Bradenton before going to Maryland, recorded a 0.88 goals against average for the season, and was previously named All-Atlantic Coast Conference first team, and to the All-South Atlantic first team by the NSCAA.

MacMath helped Maryland reach the Elite Eight of the NCAA Men's Division I Soccer Tournament, where they fell to eventual champion Virginia.

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."

Colleges: Attinella named to NSCAA All-America First Team

South Florida goalkeeper Jeff Attinella has been named to the National Soccer Coaches Association of America Performance Subaru All-American First Team, the school announced in a press release on Friday, crowning what has been an outstanding junior season for the former Countryside High standout.

Attinella allowed only 18 goals in 21 games for a 0.83 goals against average, posting seven shutouts. He was named as the Big East goalkeeper of the week three times, and was the conference’s Goalkeeper of the Year.

“I am extremely excited to have received this honor," Attinella said in the release. "When you grow up and then become a college player, you dream about receiving awards like this. I am just very grateful that I, and our team, could have the kind of year that put me in the position to be named All-American."

Bulls coach George Kiefer said he was extremely pleased that Attinella’s performances throughout the season had been recognized.

"Jeff is certainly a very worthy recipient of this honor,” Kiefer said in the release. "I have said it since the very beginning of the year; Jeff is the best goalkeeper in the nation and now it is obvious that a lot of other coaches out there feel the same way. I couldn't be happier for him."

Also honored on Friday was Bulls assistant coach Ryan Anatol, who was named the NSCAA's Assistant Coach of the Year for the Northeast Region.

A former player for the Bulls from 1997-2000, Anatol has been crucial to the Bulls success on the field, and also in their recruiting efforts. Since joining the program as an assistant in 2005, the Bulls have had 23 players named to the Big East All-Conference team, with nine being named to All-Region teams, and Attinella joining Yohance Marshall as the second NSCAA All-American in that span.

"I believe Ryan is well deserving of the award and I'm very happy for him," Kiefer said. "Ryan is one of the hardest working assistants in the country."

Anatol's regional award also makes him eligible for the Glenn "Mooch" Myernick National Assistant Coach of the Year Award, which will be presented on Jan. 15 at the NSCAA Awards Banquet.

Preps: Berkeley's Heaberlin named NSCAA All-American

Berkeley Prep’s Bryane Heaberlin has been named to the National Soccer Coaches Association of America High School All-America team, the only local player to achieve the honor this season.

Heaberlin and Buccaneers teammate Taylor Richardson had previously been named to the NSCAA All-Region III High School team, as had Berkeley boy’s standout T.J. Roehn, Jesuit’s Tyler Hartlage and Palm Harbor’s Ben Sweat.

The NSCAA also announced that Berkeley Prep, Bishop McLaughlin and Cambridge Christian have each won boys and girls team Academic All-American Awards.

All three schools had average grade-point averages of over 3.25 for 2008-09 academic year, Cambridge leading the three schools in the boys division with an average of 3.90, while Berkeley scored 3.49 and Bishop McLaughlin 3.47. Jesuit was also named to the boys list, with a team GPA of 3.50.

Berkeley Prep’s girls recorded an average of 3.65, with Bishop McLaughlin at 3.64 and Cambridge Christian at 3.81.