HOME OF BULLDOG MEN'S SOCCER - 1967, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 SCIAC Champions

The University of Redlands men’s soccer team placed five student-athletes on the two All-Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) teams, as announced on Tuesday by the conference office.

Senior midfielder Cale Rodriguez (Norwalk, CA), senior defender Jeff Willey (Medina, WA) and sophomore midfielder Cody Carlson (Burbank, CA) all earned First-Team All-Conference accolades while senior forward Nick Gundersen (Park City, UT) and senior defender Andrew Lazarz (Sammamish, WA) picked up second-team laurels.

Serving as a vocal leader in the midfield, Rodriguez helped the Bulldogs field the conference’s most prolific offense. This team captain posted one goal and three assists for a total of five points in SCIAC play. Against Caltech on Sept. 23, he scored in the third minute before assisting on the team’s sixth score of the match in the 80th minute. In addition, Rodriguez was just one of three student-athletes to start in every conference game for the Maroon and Gray. This distinction compliments his Second-Team All-SCIAC honors from 2008.

For the second time in as many years, Willey graced the First-Team All-SCIAC list. He returned to defensive third after playing up in the midfield for the beginning of the season. His leadership and experience paid dividends as the Redlands defense allowed just 0.75 goals per game, which ranked second in the conference. He supplied two goals and one assist for a total of five points in conference matches. Last year, Willey also obtained Second-Team All-Far West Region honors from the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA).

Following a breakout season, Carlson earned the respect of the conference coaches by means of a First-Team All-Conference nod. Eight of his 10 goals on the season came at the hands of SCIAC foes, and he added two assists for a team-high 18 points in conference competition. Against the eventual SCIAC Postseason Tournament champion, Claremont-Mudd-Scripps Colleges, on Oct. 21, he scored the match’s lone goal, finding the back of the net in the 53rd minute. His total of eight goals in SCIAC contests ties him for second in the conference. This is his inaugural All-Conference recognition.

Gundersen nabbed his first All-SCIAC honor after causing fits for opposing defenses. Using his speed and athleticism, he caused a multitude of match-up problems for the opposition. With three goals and five assists for a total of 11 points against SCIAC teams, he served as one of the offense’s most valuable weapons. Gundersen’s penalty-kick goal in the 81st minute against the University of La Verne on Oct. 31 tied the score at two apiece, setting Lazarz up for the game-winning score that eventually thrust the Bulldogs into the SCIAC Postseason Tournament.

Finally, after three seasons of serving on Redlands’ back line, Lazarz picked up All-Conference accolades. A gritty competitor, his soccer IQ helped him immensely as he aided the defense in holding his SCIAC foes to 0.75 goals per game. Although he generally is known for his presence on defense, his most memorable achievement of the season came when he scored the game-winner against La Verne on Oct. 31. That goal, which came in the 84th minute, ensured the Maroon and Gray’s appearance in the SCIAC Postseason Tournament.

Eben Perkins, a defender from Pomona-Pitzer Colleges, won the SCIAC Player of the Year Award for men’s soccer.

Redlands (10-7-4, 8-3-3 SCIAC) finished third in the conference standings during the regular season and qualified for the SCIAC Postseason Tournament as the No. 3 seed. After downing Whittier College in the semifinal round, the team lost to Claremont-Mudd-Scripps in the championship game of the postseason tournament.

The two All-SCIAC teams are voted on by the conference’s eight head coaches at the conclusion of the regular season.