2010 All-PacWest Men's Soccer Team

Phoenix, AZ -- With Tuesday's announcement of the 2010 All-PacWest Men's Soccer Team Academy of Art University had a fitting end to its most successful season in program history.  Earning recognition for a historical season was freshman forward Andrew "Boomer" Cruz, the 2010 PacWest Newcomer of the Year and All-PacWest Second Team. Off the field, Head Coach Daniel Rosaia was honored with 2010 PacWest Coach of the Year. Three other Honorable Mention awards were distributed amongst ART U's freshman forward Patrick Heinemann, freshman midfielder Andrew Durano, and sophomore goalkeeper Ian Sutherland.

“I'm very humbled by the other coaches recognizing our program,” Coach Rosaia said. “We couldn't have done it without the team. The guys really fought hard and finished up the season strong. They made good impression on the conference.”

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. Five Urban Knights were bestowed with honors during the announcement on PacWest Magazine, The Radio Show Tuesday.

Cruz was named 2010 PacWest Newcomer of the Year as a junior who played his first conference season this past year. In addition, the Pleasanton, California native earned a spot on the 2010 All-PacWest Second Team amongst forwards. Cruz finished the season tied for fourth in the PacWest Conference in total goals (8), tied for fourth in goals per game (0.44), and ninth in points (17). He is the only Urban Knight to ever earn such honors.

This year, Cruz also made history by becoming the only player in the PacWest to score five goals in a single match. He achieved the feat against Chaminade on Sept. 29 and did so with the assistance of his teammates, junior defender Vilmundur Sveinsson, Heinemann, and Durano. In addition to breaking the conference record, Cruz also scored his way into the NCAA Division II Men's Soccer records books for goals in one match, ranking 21st overall.

As 2010 PacWest Coach of the Year, Coach Rosaia was recognized for guiding the Urban Knights to their winningest season in program history. Academy of Art University won seven conference matches this year including four consecutive victories in Hawaii. All this was done by ART U just one season after officially joining the PacWest in 2009. Coach Rosaia wraps up his third year at the helm the Knights truly appreciating this season's success as a collective effort.

“The team worked hard from day one,” Coach Rosaia said. “It took a little while to get our feet under us, but once we got going, this team was tough to beat. There were outstanding achievements this year, but it was definitely a team effort to receive these honors.”

The first of three ART U Honorable Mentions went to Heinemann on Tuesday. Heinemann captured the honor alongside many talented forwards in the PacWest and became the second Urban Knight ever to receive such an award.

Heinemann joined Academy of Art mid-season and made an immediate impact while the Knights were in Hawaii. On the islands, the Bergisch Gladbach, Germany native scored one goal and added three assists including one on the game-winner against Hawaii-Hilo on Oct. 1. Heinemann would go on to start over half of ART U's matches, recording one goal and four assists for six total points.

Like Heinemann, Durano earns an Honorable Mention at the midfield position in only his first year with Academy of Art. The Portland, Oregon native tallied an impressive seven assists and was just one shy of the PacWest Conference leader in 2010.

When he assisted three goals in the Knights' 5-0 victory at Chaminade on Sept. 29, Durano became just the third PacWest men's soccer athlete in the last three years to do so. He was also the only Urban Knight to ever accomplish such a feat. Durano finishes his freshman campaign with seven points by way of his stellar passing.

Sutherland joins elite PacWest company with his Honorable Mention as a goalkeeper this season. In fitting fashion, the Honolulu, Hawaii native played some of his best soccer on the Hawaiian islands in 2010. Sutherland registered consecutive shutouts against BYU-Hawaii and Chaminade which helped him rank fourth in the category (3) in PacWest play on the year.

By the season's end, Sutherland made 12 starts in which he amassed 43 saves and finished with a 7-5 record. After playing over 1,118 minutes in goal for Academy of Art, Sutherland also ranked fourth in goals against average (1.29), fourth in save percentage (.722), fifth in saves per game (3.55), and eighth in saves (43) in the PacWest.

“I think it says a lot as a program that we're being recognized by the coaches,” Coach Rosaia said. “It shows we're strong and that we're building for the future as a team. With the support of Dr. Jamie Williams, our program is going to do great things.”

A press release will also come from the PacWest Conference on their website here!