Redlands soccer players lauded

Two University of Redlands men's soccer student-athletes, senior forward Ross Schunk (Portland, OR) and senior midfielder Bryan Fakkema (Oak Harbor, WA), earned NSCAA/adidas^® Division III All-American recognition for their stellar play in 2008, according to an announcement made today by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA).

Schunk, who earned First-Team All-Far West Region honors as well, landed on the All-American Second Team following a season where he led the team in goals with 18 and points with 38. During the 2008 season, he set career program marks in both goals (63) and points (139). This 2008 Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) Player of the Year also earned All-American honors following his sophomore season in 2006 when he earned Second-Team accolades. Schunk finished out his career with three NSCAA All-Region honors, two NSCAA All-American laurels and three First-Team All-SCIAC nods, including two SCIAC Player of the Year awards.

This marks the second Third-Team All-American selection Fakkema has received in his four-year tenure as a Bulldog. During the 2008 season, he offered eight goals and nine assists for 25 points. He also gained First-Team All-Far West Region honors and earned a spot on the All-SCIAC First Team. With his First-Team All-SCIAC selection, Fakkema totaled four First-Team berths in his career at Redlands, tying the program record. Throughout his career, this senior midfielder compiled three NSCAA All-Region recognitions, two NSCAA All-American considerations and four First-Team All-SCIAC laurels, including the 2007 SCIAC Player of the Year award.

Redlands finished the season at 16-5-2 after having started the season 1-4-1. For the eighth straight year, the Bulldogs won the SCIAC title and subsequently earned an automatic berth into the NCAA Championships. The team went undefeated in SCIAC play, compiling a 12-0-2 record.