BELLINGHAM, Wash. – The Western Washington University men's soccer team had seven players selected to the 2024 GNAC All-Conference team.

 

Senior forward Eric Bunnell, senior midfielder Kaydin Wall and sophomore defender Sebastiano Silvetti all garnered first-team honors to lead the Vikings seven All-GNAC awards. Senior forward Andrew Rotter became a three-time all-conference selection as a second-team award winner and junior winger Albin Jonsson, sophomore midfielder Edgar Serrano and junior defender Joar Tidblom received honorable mention honors.

 

WWU All-GNAC Selections:

·         Eric Bunnell, F (First Team)

·         Kaydin Wall, M (First Team)

·         Sebastiano Silvetti, D (First Team)

·         Andrew Rotter, F (Second Team)

·         Albin Jonsson, F (Honorable Mention)

·         Edgar Serrano, M (Honorable Mention)

·         Joar Tidblom, D (Honorable Mention)

 

WWU's seven selections were second-most among conference member schools trailing the eight by GNAC champion Western Oregon. The Vikings three first-team selections were also second-most behind WOU.

 

The Vikings completed the 2024 season with a 10-5-3 overall record, winning eight of their final nine games to finish in second place in the GNAC table with an 8-3-1 conference record. WWU was in contention for an NCAA selection and the conference title until the final two weeks of the season.

 

Head coach Greg Brisbon led the Vikings to the fifth double-digit win total in the last eight seasons and had 11 players earn GNAC All-Academic honors.

 

Here is a look at WWU's All-GNAC selections for 2024:

 

Eric Bunnell (Sr., F) – First Team

Bunnell was a unanimous first-team selection while having a breakout senior campaign for the Vikings. The Renton native led the team and tied for 3rd in the conference with seven goals. He added three assists for 17 points to rank 5th in the conference. Three of his seven goals were game-winners and the senior tallied back-to-back braces in road games at Simon Fraser and Northwest Nazarene. A five-year member of the program, Bunnell appeared in 67 career games as a Viking (25 starts) scoring 12 goals with 11 assists (35 points). He also earned All-GNAC academic honors for the second time in his career.

Kaydin Wall (Sr., M) – First Team

Wall was a catalyst for the Vikings in his midfield position, scoring four goals and adding seven assists for 15 total points. The Everett native started all 18 games while logging 1,478 minutes. He scored late game-winning goals in three of the most exciting games of the season in home victories over Seattle Pacific (90'), Simon Fraser (75') and nationally-ranked Western Oregon (84'). In five seasons as a Viking Wall appeared in 71 career games (tied for 15th in program history) while scoring six goals with 10 assists.

Sebastiano Silvetti (So., D) – First Team

Silvetti became a repeat first team selection helping anchor the defensive back line that led the GNAC with a 1.06 goals against average. The native of Bergamo, Italy logged 1,287 minutes in 16 starts, playing the full 90 on nine occasions. In two seasons for the Vikings Silvetti has appeared in 33 games (31 starts). He was also a GNAC All-Academic selection and earned academic all-district honors.

Andrew Rotter (Sr., F) – Second Team

Rotter earned All-GNAC honors for the third time in his career after earning first team in 2022 and honorable mention in 2023. In 18 games (15 starts) in 2024 Rotter scored four goals and added one assist, and scored the game-winning goal in the season opener over Chico State. Rotter also earned his second All-GNAC academic award in 2024. In three seasons at Western Rotter appeared in 54 games (49 starts) with 10 goals and seven assists.

Albin Jonsson (Jr., F) – Honorable Mention

Jonsson was a catalyst for the Vikings all season while playing the winger position, scoring two goals and adding five assists in 18 games (14 starts). One of the fastest players in the conference, Jonsson was an offensive weapon in more than just statistics. Marked his third All-GNAC award earning first-team honors as a freshman and sophomore. In three seasons as a Viking Jonsson has appeared in 54 games (49 starts) while scoring 16 goals and recording 12 assists. Among all-time program leaders Jonsson ranks tied for 13th in goals scored, tied for 11th in assists and 14th in points (44). He earned his second All-GNAC academic award and was an Academic All-District selection.

Edgar Serrano (So., M) – Honorable Mention

Serrano earned All-GNAC acclaim for the second consecutive season also as an honorable mention selection a year ago. In 17 games (all starts) Serrano played a key role in the midfield while logging 1,218 minutes. He scored three goals, added two assists and was 2-for-2 on penalty kicks. Serrano was also a GNAC All-Academic selection in his first year eligible. In two seasons with the Vikings the Mount Vernon native has appeared in 34 games (25 starts) and contributed 15 points (6 goals, 3 assists).

Joar Tidblom (Jr., D) – Honorable Mention

Tidblom started all 18 games for the Vikings and was a key figure in the team leading the GNAC with a 1.06 goals against average. The native of Sweden played in 1515 of 1620 possible minutes, the most by a WWU position player. He also scored two goals and contributed two assists. In three seasons with the Vikings he is a two-time GNAC All-Academic selection and has appeared in 53 of 55 possible games.

Here is a look at the GNAC special awards for the 2024 season as voted on by the conference's head coaches:

 

·         Player of the Year: Raymundo Mendez, Seattle Pacific

·         Defensive Player of the Year: Andre Schlaefli, Western Oregon

·         Freshman of the Year: Marcus Vazquez, Western Oregon

·         Newcomer of the Year: Caleb Kiner, Western Oregon

·         Coach of the Year: Michael Behonick, Western Oregon