Friday, December 18, 2009

BUIES CREEK, N.C. -- Eleven student-athletes from six universities - including three from Southern Conference regular season champion Elon - have been named to the 2009 North Carolina Collegiate Sports Information Association (NCCSIA) University Division All-State Men's Soccer Team.

The team consists of NCAA Division I student-athletes from North Carolina colleges and universities.  Nominees were submitted by North Carolina sports information professionals.  NCCSIA members voted for the all-state teams.

The All-State soccer teams include one goalkeeper, three defenders, four midfielders and three forwards.  Teams are selected for men and women in both the college and university (NCAA Division I) divisions.

Among the 11 honored, nine were also named to the NSCAA all-region teams, while Indy Smith of UNC Wilmington also added third-team NSCAA All-America honors.  Charlie Reiter of Davidson was the lone unanimous choice.  Adam Gross of Charlotte and Elon teammates Steven Kinney and Justin Wyatt earned all-state honors for the third time in their careers.

Atlantic Sun Conference player of the year Vince Petrasso represented Campbell on all-state the squad.  At least one Camel player has been named to the all-state men's soccer teams each of the six years since NCCSIA began honoring North Carolina student athletes in 2004.

A senior from Woodbridge, Ontario, Petrasso led the Atlantic Sun Conference and ranked fifth nationally in assists per game (0.61) with 11 in 18 outings.  He added second-team All-South region and all-state recognition to a list of honors than included A-Sun Player of the Year, 1st-team all-conference and pre-season all-conference to his 2009 accomplishments.