2008 Woodie Awards
Individual excellence recognized by national community
Postseason awards offer small degree of solace for soccer team
Ariel Barkhurst
Issue date: 1/25/08 Section: Sports
Trinity men's soccer may have narrowly missed the championship after an undefeated season, but the individuals involved have not missed any opportunity to shine. With one player signed and another nearly signed to a professional Mexican team, three players helping the U.S. team to win the gold medal at the Maccabiah Games, three players appointed to the All-American Team by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America, and Head Coach Paul McGinlay being named Regional Coach of the Year for DIII, the talent of Trinity soccer has asserted itself despite the loss.
Midfielder Robert C'deBaca, senior, signed with Mexican professional team the Monterrey Rayados over the holidays, and has remained in Mexico for the spring semester to acquaint himself with the team. He will return to Trinity in fall 2008 to finish his degree. Midfielder Kyle Altman, senior, may also sign a professional contract with a Mexican team, and has taken the semester off to consider his options.
"In the last six years," said Assistant Coach Chris Garcia-Prats, "professional soccer has become accessible to Trinity. Alex Woods ('04) plays for the Charlotte Eagles and Josh Smith ('03) signed with the Wilmington Hammerheads."
In addition to this, Altman, along with keeper David Steinberg, senior, and forward/midfielder Ben Stewart, senior, played in the 2007 Maccabiah Games, the quadrennial Jewish Olympics, over the break. They helped the US win its first gold medal for soccer at the event.
Also over the break, Altman, midfielder Tyrone Petrakis, junior, and midfielder Thomas Owens, senior, were named to the NSCAA All-American teams. Steinberg made the Academic All-American team. Also, defender Jessica Koenig, senior, of the women's team was named to the women's All-American team, and midfielder Jennifer Wray, senior, and midfielder Claire Edwards, senior, were named to the women's All-Region team.
"It's definitely an honor," Petrakis said. "I'm very proud of it. But I would give it up for a national championship."
Petrakis and Owens traveled with Coach McGinlay to Baltimore last Saturday to receive the team's awards.
"It was a huge event," Owens said, "because it was the All-American teams for Divisions I, II, and III, and for High school, too."
Coach McGinlay was named Regional Coach of the Year, for the sixth time in seven years.
"It's always nice to be recognized," Coach Garcia-Prats said, "but Coach McGinaly and the players would trade those accolades to be crowned national champs. If we win, then even the kids who didn't play, they would be recognized, too."
Midfielder Robert C'deBaca, senior, signed with Mexican professional team the Monterrey Rayados over the holidays, and has remained in Mexico for the spring semester to acquaint himself with the team. He will return to Trinity in fall 2008 to finish his degree. Midfielder Kyle Altman, senior, may also sign a professional contract with a Mexican team, and has taken the semester off to consider his options.
"In the last six years," said Assistant Coach Chris Garcia-Prats, "professional soccer has become accessible to Trinity. Alex Woods ('04) plays for the Charlotte Eagles and Josh Smith ('03) signed with the Wilmington Hammerheads."
In addition to this, Altman, along with keeper David Steinberg, senior, and forward/midfielder Ben Stewart, senior, played in the 2007 Maccabiah Games, the quadrennial Jewish Olympics, over the break. They helped the US win its first gold medal for soccer at the event.
Also over the break, Altman, midfielder Tyrone Petrakis, junior, and midfielder Thomas Owens, senior, were named to the NSCAA All-American teams. Steinberg made the Academic All-American team. Also, defender Jessica Koenig, senior, of the women's team was named to the women's All-American team, and midfielder Jennifer Wray, senior, and midfielder Claire Edwards, senior, were named to the women's All-Region team.
"It's definitely an honor," Petrakis said. "I'm very proud of it. But I would give it up for a national championship."
Petrakis and Owens traveled with Coach McGinlay to Baltimore last Saturday to receive the team's awards.
"It was a huge event," Owens said, "because it was the All-American teams for Divisions I, II, and III, and for High school, too."
Coach McGinlay was named Regional Coach of the Year, for the sixth time in seven years.
"It's always nice to be recognized," Coach Garcia-Prats said, "but Coach McGinaly and the players would trade those accolades to be crowned national champs. If we win, then even the kids who didn't play, they would be recognized, too."
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