By Amy Paige Condon
In a first for SCAD’s men’s soccer program, two players earned honors in the postseason from the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA).
Midfielder Dan Fadida was named to the NSCAA/Performance Subaru NAIA All-America second team. He and junior forward Ellert Hreinsson were selected to the NSCAA/NAIA All-East team.
“To be voted an All-American by the NAIA and NSCAA is the ultimate recognition as a collegiate athlete,” said Coach Thomas Melville. “You are among the best of the best.”
Hreinsson, a native of Kopavogur, Iceland, ranks second on the Bees’ all-time list with 32 goals and 79 points. Thirteen of those goals came during the 2009 season, the team’s highest. He also led with eight assists and 34 points.
“This is a great honor for me personally and for the team,” said Hreinsson, a three-time all-conference honoree. “This is something that cannot be achieved by one player. It’s always great to be awarded for all the hard work you put in and, hopefully, this is just the beginning of something bigger.”
The honor is the second time this season Fadida was named to an All-American squad. The senior from Saltash, England received third team honors by the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletes (NAIA) in November. Fadida’s eight goals put him second in all-over team rankings. He was third in points and fourth in assists.
“We know that Danny Fadida leaves big shoes to fill,” Coach Melville said.
The Bees finished second in the Sun Conference during the August through November 2009 season with a 7-1-1 record, missing the championship title by one penalty goal in the final. The team’s overall record was 12-3-3, moving them into the 24th position in the NAIA rankings.
Hreinsson is optimistic for 2010. “The program is on its way to be [one of the] best soccer programs in the country. We’ve had enough of silver. We aim for gold next season.”
Coach Melville shares his player’s enthusiasm.
“Finishing the year as a nationally ranked team illustrates what other programs think of us, and we know that we can compete at the national level from here on. We expect to be number one in our conference next season, and, I believe, other teams will expect this also.”
The honors “set the bar high for future teams and individuals.” During the off-season, the coaching staff is seeking to develop a stronger and deeper team through new recruits. The Bees continue to practice daily and have several exhibition games planned. One of those games will take place March 7, in Savannah, when the Bees take on the Charleston Battery, a professional United Soccer League (USL) team from South Carolina.
