NEWARK, Del. - - Senior goalkeeper Vinny Tasca makes Wilmington University men's soccer program history as he was named the 2018 United Soccer Coaches Division II First Team All-American goalkeeper on Wednesday, as voted on by the nation's head coaches.
Formerly known at the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA), the United Soccer Coaches All-American Teams were named ahead of the National Tournament Semifinals and Championship this weekend in Pittsburgh.
Vinny Tasca (Audubon, Pa.) becomes just the third First Team All-American in program history, but the first ever to be named to the First Team in the coaches' organization. Clifford Nwechefom is the only other Wildcat to earn All-American in the coaches' organization, being named Second Team NSCAA All-American in 2015.
Tasca was the anchor for the defense, leading the way to a team goals against average of 0.91 for the season. He made all 22 starts for the Wildcats, leading the CACC with seven shutouts, 15 wins, and a 0.92 GAA. He only allowed 21 goals on the year, making 59 saves for a 0.738 overall save percentage. He recorded a season high six saves in the Wildcats' contest at Jefferson. He will leave as the program's all-time leader in shutouts with 18.
He was also named the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference Goalkeeper of the Year and First Team All-CACC, First Team United Soccer Coaches All-East Region, and First Team D2CCA All-East Region honors this season.
Fellow members of from the East Region named United Soccer Coaches All-American include First Team honoree Marek Weber (Le Moyne), Second Team honorees Manuel Achondo (Mercy) and Lukas Ostermann (LIU Post), and Third Team honorees Salar Faryar (Le Moyne), and Alex Satrustegui (Southern New Hampshire)
For a full list of the 2018 United Soccer Coaches All-American Teams, please click here.
AGATE:
2018 United Soccer Coaches NCAA Division II Men's All-America Team
First Team:
Position-Name-Class-School-Hometown
GK-Vinny Tasca-Sr.-Wilmington University-Audubon, Pa.
D-Willilams N'dah-Jr.-University of Charleston-Rome, Italy
D-Juan Sanchez*-Sr.-Palm Beach Atlantic University-Madrid, Spain
D-Jordan Skelton*-Jr.-Lander University-Newcastle, England
M-Gabriel Costa-Fr.-Azusa Pacific University-Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
M-Carlos Gomez-Sr.-Young Harris College-Algete, Spain
M-Alex Lipinski-Jr.-Spring Hill College-Krefeld, Germany
M-Matteo Polisi-So.-Simon Fraser University-Coquitlam, B.C.
F-Mamadi Camara-Sr.-Simon Fraser University-Montreal, Que.
F-Mikie Rowe-Sr.-Young Harris College-Wexford, Ireland
F-Marek Weber-Sr.-Le Moyne College-Fulda, Germany
* - repeat selection