Virginia Men's Soccer Players Alecko Eskandarian and Matt Oliver Selected to 2002 NSCAA/adidas All-South Atlantic Regional Teams
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Dec. 3, 2002
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – The University of Virginia men’s soccer team had two players selected to the 2002 National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA)/adidas All-South Atlantic Regional Teams. UVa forward Alecko Eskandarian (Montvale, N.J./Bergen Catholic) and Cavalier defender Matt Oliver (Waldorf, Md/DeMatha Catholic) were both named to the squads. Eskandarian was selected to the NSCAA/adidas All-South Atlantic Region First Team and Oliver was named to the NSCAA/adidas All-South Atlantic Region Second Team.
Eskandarian was selected to the NSCAA/adidas All-South Atlantic Region as a First Team choice for the third consecutive year, while Oliver was named to the NSCAA/adidas All-South Atlantic Region squad for the first time in his career. Eskandarian and Oliver both helped to guide Virginia to a record of 15-7-0 overall, 3-3-0 in the ACC this past season and led UVa into the second round of the 2002 NCAA Division I Men’s Soccer Championship.
Eskandarian, a third-year forward, started all 20 games he appeared in this season. He scored a team-high 25 goals this year and dished out four assists to rack up a total of 54 points on the season. Eskandarian’s 25 goals this year set a new UVa school-record for the most goals scored in a single season at Virginia. His 54 points this year was the fourth highest single season total ever at Virginia and his six game-winning goals this year is tied for the sixth highest single season mark for a Cavalier. For his career, Eskandarian has recorded 113 points which is sixth all-time at Virginia, scored 50 goals which is fourth all-time at UVa and has scored 16 game-winning goals which is the third most in a career for a Cavalier.
Oliver, a third-year defender, started all 22 games he appeared in this season. He helped Virginia post seven shutouts this season including a stretch of three consecutive games on two separate occasions in 2002. Oliver also scored one point this season resulting from an assist. For his career, Oliver started all 39 games he has appeared in and has helped the UVa defense record 18 shutouts over the past two seasons of play. Last season (2001), Oliver and the Cavalier defense helped Virginia become the first team ever in the ACC to win all of its conference games by shutout. Oliver has also recorded two career points resulting from two assists.
2002 NSCAA/adidas All-South Atlantic Region First Team
Name School Position YearAlecko Eskandarian Virginia Forward JUNIORCarlos Garcia William & Mary Forward SeniorMachel Millwood Towson Forward SeniorAbe Thompson Maryland Forward SophomoreRalph Bean William & Mary Midfielder SeniorScott Buete Maryland Midfielder JuniorSumed Ibrahim Maryland Midfielder JuniorMilorad Djordjevic VCU Defender SeniorNiall Lepper Loyola Defender SeniorGonzalo Segares VCU Defender SophomoreRob Beatty Loyola Goalkeeper Senior
2002 NSCAA/adidas All-South Atlantic Region Second Team
Name School Position YearMatt Oliver Virginia Midfielder JUNIORDerek McElligott UMBC Forward SophomoreMatt Osborne George Washington Forward SeniorDaryl Roberts Liberty Forward FreshmanAttila Vendegh Old Dominion Forward JuniorCarlos Garay VCU Midfielder SeniorShawn Kuykendall American Midfielder SophomoreBen Munro James Madison Midfielder SeniorPhil Hucles William & Mary Defender JuniorLarry MacDonald American Defender SeniorJohn O'Hara George Mason Goalkeeper Sophomore
2002 NSCAA/adidas All-South Atlantic Region Third Team
Name School Position YearPat Filin James Madison Forward SeniorArnar Johannson George Washington Forward JuniorKenny Jonmaire Virginia Tech Forward SophomoreTodd Rolfing Radford Forward SeniorTim Bezbatchenko Richmond Midfielder JuniorLasse Mertins Virginia Tech Midfielder JuniorPeer Rogge Virginia Tech Midfielder FreshmanTrevor McEachron Old Dominion Defender SophomoreChristian Neagu VCU Defender JuniorSeth Stammler Maryland Defender JuniorJosh Kovolenko James Madison Goalkeeper Senior
— UVa —