2011 All-PacWest Men's Soccer Team
Phoenix, AZ -- Three Urban Knights were among the names announced Friday as part of the 2011 All-PacWest Men's Soccer Team. Leading the way as he has done throughout his Academy of Art career, senior captain
Vilmundur Sveinsson earned Second Team honors as a defender while senior
Andrew "Boomer" Cruz picked up an Honorable Mention for midfielders and junior
Grimur Grimsson an Honorable Mention for forwards. All three ART U players had a memorable season finale this past Sunday with Sveinsson and Cruz concluding their respective careers and Grimsson posting a hat trick in the 3-0 victory.
"For these three guys, their hard work and dedication has proved to be very valuable this season and in our program's history," head coach Daniel Rosaia said. "The fact that they have won postseason awards shows Academy of Art men's soccer is on the upswing for sure."
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.
Sveinsson, an incredible pioneer for Academy of Art and four-year captain, once again made his presence known in 2011 en route to the All-PacWest Second Team selection. Helping to guide the Urban Knights young back line to three shutouts this season with his determination and vocal leadership, the senior defender continued to contribute through his final game in the red and black.
"Vimmi has been a great inspiration to the guys as one of the original Urban Knights and a four-year captain," Coach Rosaia said. "He has always been pro-team and pro-program. We're really going to miss him as he will be impossible to replace."
The Rejkjavik, Iceland native concludes his career not only having been a stalwart on defense, but he also took part in three game-winning goals, scoring two and assisting one. Sveinsson stands alone as the career leader in matches started (62) and minutes played (4,378). He ranks third overall in both games played (64) and game-winning goals scored (2).
"If I could sum up Vimmi's career in one word, it would be 'Awesome,'" Coach Rosaia said. "For he has led by example on and off the pitch and is everything a program could ask for and more. I hope Vimmi learned as much from me as I have from him."
Cruz was another ART U men's soccer senior who went out with an impressive effort en route to his Honorable Mention among midfielders. The Pleasanton, CA native posted two assists in the season finale to tie him at fourth on the team for the year. He also scored three goals in 2011 (5th on the Knights) with one game-winner to send Academy of Art to a 4-0 victory over Pacific Union on Oct. 28.
"Boomer has been an inspiration and we are extremely grateful to have had his leadership here," Coach Rosaia said. "He has come a long way and really helped to build this Academy of Art men's soccer program."
In addition to what he did this year, few could forget one of the most significant moments for both Academy of Art men's soccer and the PacWest Conference last season where Cruz became a legend. The senior forward scored five goals in a single game at Chaminade on Sept. 29, 2010, becoming the first men's soccer player in PacWest history to ever do so.
A dynamic scorer for the Urban Knights, Grimsson had his share of special moments at the forward position in 2011. The junior captured an Honorable Mention for his impressive accomplishments this season including being ranked sixth in the PacWest in both goals (7) and goals per game (0.50) as well as posting the seventh-most points per game (1.00). He is also the ART U career goals leader (12) and game-winning goals leader (6).
"Grimur has been a good team player," Coach Rosaia said. "He scored big goals for us this season and always seemed to put himself in the right place at the right time."
This year, Grimsson provided game-winning goals in both the first and last Academy of Art victories. He got the Knights started with his conversion of an overtime goal against the College of Idaho on Sept. 5 and then finished up by scoring an unbelievable hat trick in 13 minutes versus Chaminade on Nov. 6.
This is the first All-PacWest Second Team honor for Sveinsson in his ART U career and the second for any Academy of Art men's soccer player. Grimsson, who captured one PacWest Player of the Week award and two PacWest Weekly Top 10 Honor Rolls this year, becomes the second Urban Knight ever to garner an Honorable Mention among forwards. Cruz, the 2010 PacWest Newcomer of the Year and 2010 All-PacWest Second Team, adds the Honorable Mention for midfielders (second for ART U) to his resume along with one PacWest Weekly Top 10 Honor Roll selection this season.
See full release on the PacWest website
here!
