CHICAGO, IL (November 16, 2006) \u2013 A record seven members of the North Park University men\u2019s soccer team have been named to the 2006 College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW) All-Conference team. The football team also had two players named All-Conference.
\n
\nNamed to the first team were sophomore Isaac Lee, juniors Matt Bond and PJ Eriksson, and seniors Adam Sinovic and Austin Person. Named to the second team were freshman Jonathan Eriksson and junior Jordan Gyuricza.<\/p>\n
The seven Viking selections to the All-Conference team represent another first for the school. This was the first season in the school\u2019s history that the team made the Top 20 in the national rankings.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is a tremendous achievement and shows the respect that our program has earned over the past year,\u201d Head Coach John Born said of the players\u2019 selection. \u201cIt will be difficult losing Austin and Adam to graduation. They have had great careers and are largely responsible for our three conference championships.\u201d<\/p>\n
On the football team, wide receiver and return specialist Brandon Watts grabbed headlines early and often on his way to a record-breaking fall season. Watts finished his senior campaign with 1,456 all-purpose yards, ranking him first in the CCIW and tenth in the nation in all-purpose yards per game (161.1). He also finished second in the CCIW and 22nd in the nation in receptions per game (6), and second in the CCIW and 25th in the nation in receiving yards per game (78.8). Watts also led the CCIW in kick return average at 23.5.<\/p>\n
He was recognized on the national scene after his performance against Wheaton College as he amassed 309 all-purpose yards and two touchdowns, including a 95-yard kick return for a score. Watts was named to the d3football.com national team of the week as a kick returner, Don Hansen\u2019s Football Gazette<\/em> national co-all-purpose back of the week and CCIW special teams player of the week.<\/p>\n He finished 2006 with 54 receptions for 709 yards and 3 scores, and was named to the CCIW first team as a wide receiver. He also received first team all-conference honors as a kick returner.<\/p>\n Defensive end Ray Decatur wrapped up his junior-year campaign with 48 total tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss and a team-leading six sacks, which tied him for fourth in the league. He was named to the All-CCIW Second Defensive Team.<\/p>\n