TicketsDec. 8, 2005
, -- of junior forward Omar Cummings (, /) has been named to the National Soccer Coaches Association of America All-Great Lakes first team. As an all-region choice, Cummings is now eligible for NSCAA All-America honors.
Cummings, the Bearcats' leading scorer in 2005, was a first-team all-BIG EAST selection after ranking fifth in the league in scoring. The Jamaican native scored seven goals and tallied seven assists for 21 points in starting all 19 matches for UC. He was named Soccer America Player of the Week and BIG EAST Offensive Player of the Week on Sept. 20 after scoring both goals in a 2-0 victory against then-No. 1 on Sept. 16.
Cummings combined with teammate Kenny Anaba (Westerville, Ohio/Worthington Christian) to score 42 points (16G, 10A), which was the second-highest total in the BIG EAST behind conference Offensive Player of the Year Sacha Kljestan and Elisio Giusfredi of Seton Hall.
"Omar is very deserving of this honor," said UC head coach Hylton Dayes. "He is an exciting player who was instrumental in our successes this season. He is one of the best attacking players not only in the region, but in the entire country."
The Great Lakes region contains such national powers as , , Notre Dame, and . placed four members on the first team, while saw two players earn first-team honors. The Hoosiers and Zips led all schools with four overall selections. has three honorees, while , Northwestern, Notre Dame, , and each placed two on the all-region squads.