Phoenix, AZ -- The 2009 All-PacWest First and Second Teams  were announced following the conclusion of the men's soccer season on Nov. 7 and Academy of Art University freshman forward Daniel Higa garnered honorable mention amongst forwards. This year, the PacWest coaches or designated representatives from each school selected 36 student-athletes for All-Conference accolades. The squad consisted of a First Team, Second Team and honorable mention featuring four forwards, four midfielders, three defenders and a goalkeeper on each listing. Higa was the only AAU soccer player to earn such an honor.

In his first season as an Urban Knight, Higa scored four goals (second-most on the team), notched one assist, and was one of two players to register 13 shots on goal. He started eight of the 16 matches he played in, but three of his goals were netted in matches where he came off the bench.

Offensive highlights have been Higa's specialty this year. He scored a season-high two goals in AAU's 3-2 loss to Notre Dame de Namur University on Sept. 19. One of his other two goals came when he dribbled through three defenders in a 3-0 PacWest Conference victory over Dixie State College on Sept. 28 and the other was off the first shot in a 4-2 loss to Chaminade University on Oct. 12.

In their first year competing in the PacWest, the Urban Knights finished with a 1-13 conference record to go with their 4-15-1 overall record.

To see the 2009 All-PacWest Men's Soccer Team, check out the conference's full press release here!