The United Soccer Coaches announced earlier today that four members of the University of Redlands men's soccer team earned All-West Region recognition for the first time in their careers.
Headlining as a First-Team honoree, sophomore forward Steve Acuña (Pico Rivera, CA) started in all 18 games for the Bulldogs and led the team with 19 points on six goals and seven assists. His six goals were good for fourth in the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC), while his seven assists paced the conference. His strongest game of the season came against Pomona-Pitzer when he tallied a goal and two assists in a 5-0 shutout.
Representing the Second-Team, sophomore defender Peyton Menti (Seattle, WA) anchored the back-line for the Bulldogs. His gritty defensive effort helped the Maroon and Gray to six shutouts and a 0.91 goals-against average for the season. He proved his versatility by registering three goals on only eight total shots, in addition to a helper for seven points on the year.
Also on the Second-Team, junior midfielder Derrin Valeri (Atlanta, GA) used his technical skills to provide 10 points for Redlands. He played in each of the Bulldogs' 18 games and accounted for four goals and two assists. The Maroon and Gray won in each of the games that Valeri scored in, including back-to-back road wins over Chapman University and Cal Lutheran University midway through the season.
Rounding out the group on the Third-Team is junior midfielder Collin ChubbFertal (Eugene, OR). ChubbFertal matched Acuña's team-high six goals this season. He also supplied a pair of assists, which ranks him second on the team with 14 total points. ChubbFertal was effective in clutch situations with three game-winners. His strongest game came on a two-goal performance in a big road-win over Chapman midway through the season.
For a complete list of this year's All-Region recipients, please head over to the United Soccer Coaches website.