It was announced earlier today by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) that senior defender Ben Thompson (Spokane, WA) of the University of Redlands men's soccer team landed on the 2017 Academic All-District Team for exceeding the minimum GPA requirement as a major contributor on the field. Thompson joins an elite group of 11 NCAA Division III players from District 8 as the only recipient from the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC).

Thompson played a significant role in the Bulldogs' fourth-consecutive, SCIAC regular-season title and 14-4-2 overall record during the 2017 season.  He started all 20 games for a defensive unit that earned a goals-against average of 0.92. 

In his four-year career with the Maroon and Gray, he dished out five assists and scored eight goals, five of which served as game-winners. This season, he notched two critical goals, one at Pomona-Pitzer Colleges as the come-from-behind, game-winner, and the other as Redlands' only goal in a 1-1 tie at Cal Lutheran University.

This two-time All-SCIAC First-Teamer also excels in the classroom as a three-time Redlands Scholar-Athlete and member of the SCIAC All-Academic Team. He also garnered a spot on last year's National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) All-West Region Team.

Thompson is now eligible for CoSIDA Academic All-America consideration, which will be announced in December.

To view the complete list of CoSIDA Academic All-District men's soccer honorees, please visit the CoSIDA website.