Dec. 1, 2010
BELLINGHAM, Wash. - Western Washington University senior forward Gibson Bardsley (Fall City/Mount Si) was a first-team pick and junior midfielder Kellan Brown (Tacoma/Bellarmine Prep) received honorable mention on the 2010 Daktronics NCAA Division II Men's Soccer All-American squad announced today.
Bardsley becomes the first Viking to earn first-team All-America honors and just the fourth named to All-American first, second or third teams. Western midfielder Matt Pele was a National Soccer Coaches Association of America second-team pick in 2008 and forward Peter LaBarge was a second-team NAIA choice in 1990 and a third-team selection in 1989.
"Gibson had a fantastic season and this is a great way for him to cap off his career," said Western coach Travis Connell. "This season was by far his best. He accomplished a lot individually and carried our team for much of the year. I'm very happy for him."
Bardsley had 18 goals, tying for the third-highest total in school history, and seven assists, finishing with 43 points. He completed his four-year career with 41 goals, equaling the Viking standard set by LaBarge, and had a WWU-record 100 points.
Bardsley ranked second nationally in goals per game (1.06), third in points per game (2.53), fourth in total goals (18) and sixth in total points (43).
The 2010 Great Northwest Athletic Conference Player of the Year, Bardsley also was a first-team Daktronics West Region all-star.
Brown had seven goals and six assists, and helped Western post six shutouts and have a 1.51 goals against average. He was a first-team all-region pick for the second straight year.
The Vikings finished 10-6-2 overall and placed third in the GNAC at 5-4-1. They won seven of their last nine games.
Northern Kentucky forward Steven Beattie was the Ron Lenz Player of the Year. He also received that honor in 2008 and is a three-time first-team choice.
Sports information directors from NCAA II schools and conferences sponsoring men's soccer selected the Daktronics All-America teams. The process began at the regional level with all first team All-Region picks advancing to the national ballot. This is the fifth year Daktronics has sponsored the NCAA II men's soccer All-America and All-Region teams.
The team is sponsored by Daktronics, Inc., an acknowledged world leader in scoring, timing and programmable display systems for virtually every sport at every level of competition.
