RIO GRANDE, Ohio - Three members of the University of Rio Grande men's soccer team have been selected to the 2011 NAIA All-America Teams after helping the RedStorm to a 19-win season and trip to the NAIA national quarterfinals.
Junior defender Richard Isberner (Sao Paulo, Brazil) and senior midfielder Joel Thiessen (Newcastle, Australia) both were named to the first team, while senior defender Neil Harries (Lancashire, England) earned second team honors.
"To have three guys listed as All-Americans is a great accomplishment and recognition for our program and for them as individuals," said Rio Grande head coach Scott Morrissey. "I'm happy for each of them. I think we missed out on some of that recognition last year because we bowed out in the Round of 16. We lost in the final eight this year, but I think the members of the selection committee saw us play and they felt we had some decent players."
Rio Grande, the No. 5 seed in the national tournament, finished 19-3 after falling to 12th-seeded William Carey (Miss.) in the quarterfinal round. The RedStorm's other losses came at the hands of Mid-South Conference rival - and eventual national champion - Lindsey Wilson.
Isberner enjoyed the biggest year of the trio, all of whom were also recently named to the all-MSC team.
Isberner, the MSC Player of the Year, led the nation in points (76), was second in goals (29) and tied for the top spot in assists (18). He had five goals and five assists in a 14-0 win over St. Catharine College in the opening round of the conference tournament, setting a new school record for points (15) in a single game.
"Richie had a really good year and he's very deserving of the recognition," Morrissey said. "So much goes through him. He's a great back-to-goal kind of target, he understands the game - we got some really positive play from him for the most part. I can honestly say that, in the three years he's been with us, he's gotten better each year and that's a hard thing to do. I've seen a number of players who have started off well but, by the time they're done, they've fizzled off. That's not been the case with him."
Thiessen ranked second in the MSC and fourth in the country with 16 assists. His 12 goals ranked sixth in the MSC and his 40 points were good enough for third in the league and a tie for 16th nationally.
Thiessen finished his RedStrom career with 21 goals, 25 assists and 67 points in 64 games.
"Joel was with us for three years and the big thing about him is the presence he brings to the field," said Morrissey. "He's a good, hard-nosed player and a great deliverer of a dead ball. So many coaches talk about what a weapon he is just because of that and he scored a lot of goals off of direct kicks. It's a nice piece of recognition for him closing out his career."
Harries, who had four goals and four assists this season, was the recipient of some overdue accolades in the eyes of his coach.
"I told Neil this came a year late because he should've been an All-American last year as a junior," Morrissey said. "Neil's a good central defender with a really good presence. He's been a great four-year player for us. He was, by far, one of our top players last year and he was again this season. He didn't get the recognition a year ago, but it finally came this time around. I think he was good enough to be a first-teamer but, apparently, some other coaches - the ones on the committee - didn't agree with me. I'm pleased he got what he did, though."
Harries finished his Rio Grande career with 10 goals and 11 assists in 85 games.
Joining Isberner and Thiessen on the first team were forwards DeShorn Brown of Mobile (Ala), Nate Polak of Hastings (Neb.) and Paul Islas of Fresno Pacific (Calif.); midfielders Lebogang Moloto of Lindsey Wilson and Goggin Boyoko from Auburn Montgomery (Ala.); defenders Chris Williams of Lindsey Wilson, Nate Byarly from Baker (Kan.) and Derek Prinz of Hastings (Neb.); and goalkeeper Carl Goody of William Carey (Miss.).
Prinz was named the national Player of the Year.
