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Salisbury places five on All-CAC men's soccer teams

13 Nov, 2008

The Capital Athletic Conference released its 2008 all-conference teams on Thursday and conference champion Salisbury University had five players earn a spot on the first or second teams. SU had four players receive first team honors in junior midfielder Alex Hargrove, junior defender Justin McGrath, sophomore forward Mike Napolitano and junior midfielder Kyle Sterling. Senior defenseman Ryan Chacon was named to the All-CAC second team.

The five have been an instrumental part for the No. 19 Sea Gulls (15-3-3) this season en route to repeating as CAC champions and earning a bid to the NCAA tournament. The group has helped SU claim 11 shutouts so far while outshooting opponents 62-14. Under their guidance, SU has averaged 2.95 goals per game and holds a 0.786 win percentage, which is ranked 22nd and 30th in the nation, respectively. Of the five selections, four players are receiving their second consecutive All-CAC honor.

Hargrove is making his first career appearance on an All-CAC team. The Clarks Summit, Pa., native was one of two Sea Gulls to start and play in all 21 games. He notched six goals, 12 points and had three game-winning goals this season. In his three-year career at SU, he has 14 goals and 29 points. The junior netted the only goal for Salisbury in its 1-0 overtime victory over Keene State on August 31.

McGrath is making his second consecutive All-CAC first team appearance. The defensive specialist has played in 20 games and started in 19 of them this season. Under his guidance, the SU defense has limited opponents to just 70 shots and a miniscule 14 goals. His efforts have helped the Sea Gulls hold the opposition to a 0.64 team goals against average, which ranks 19th in Division III. The Perry Hall, Md., product registered one assist on the season in SU's 4-1 victory over Mary Washington in the CAC quarterfinals. In his three-year career at Salisbury he has played in 56 games.

Napolitano is receiving his second consecutive first team honor. The Ellicott City, Md., native has eight goals, eight assists and two game-winning goals for the Sea Gulls this season. His 0.4 assists per game and 1.2 points per game ranks 105th and 215th in Division III, respectively. Napolitano was named CAC Player of the Week for September 8. The sophomore started and played in 20 games for the Sea Gulls this season. In his two-year career for the maroon and gold, he has tallied 19 goals, nine assists for 47 points.

Rounding out the first team for Salisbury is Sterling, who is also receiving his second consecutive first team honor. The Salisbury, Md., product was a mainstay for the Sea Gulls this fall as he started and played in 20 games this season. Sterling tallied 10 goals, 25 points and had three game-winning goals. He leads the CAC in shots (78) and shots per game (3.80). Sterling is tied for third in the conference in game-winning goals. The junior has averaged 1.25 points per game and 0.5 goals per game which ranks 190th and 188th in Division III, respectively. In his three-year career at SU, Sterling has notched 31 goals, 20 assists, 82 points and 11 game-winning goals.

The final selection for Salisbury on the All-CAC team is co-captain Chacon, who is repeating as a second team honoree. The Laytonsville, Md., native was named CAC Player of the Week on October 27 after he helped limit opponents to six shots the entire week. His efforts have helped lead SU to a 0.52 shutout percentage, which ranks 27th in the nation. In his four-year career for the maroon and gold, he has played in 60 games and has tallied six assists.

York (Pa.) College had two players receiving All-CAC awards in junior forward Jon Ports (CAC Player of the Year) and freshman forward Kemal Nuspahic (CAC Rookie of the Year). Wesley's Steve Clark was named CAC Coach of the Year.

In SU coach Gerry DiBartolo's 27 years at the helm of the SU men's soccer program, 78 student-athletes have earned All-CAC honors since Salisbury joined the conference in 1994.

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