TicketsNov. 30, 2006
CINCINNATI, Ohio -- Three members of the University of Cincinnati's BIG EAST Red Division Championship team, Omar Cummings, Kenny Anaba, and Amir Ikner have been named to the 2006 National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) All-Great Lakes team.
Cummings, a unanimous first team All-BIG EAST selection, was a first team choice on the NSCAA regional team for the second straight season. The senior forward scored six goals and added nine assists, which ranked second in the BIG EAST, for 21 points, matching last season's total. After just two seasons, Cummings closed his career fifth in school history in assists with 16. He was named to the College Soccer News Preseason All-America team and earned BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll accolades twice during the year. Cummings was named to the College Soccer News National Team of the Week on Oct. 2 after posting a goal and four assists in a pair of BIG EAST wins against and .
Anaba, a 2006 All-BIG EAST second team selection, was named to the third team after leading UC with seven goals and adding five assists for 19 points. The junior forward scored five game-winners, including the BIG EAST Championship-clinching goal in overtime against Villanova on Oct. 21. He was named the BIG EAST Offensive Player of the Week and to the College Soccer News National Team of the Week on Sept. 18 after scoring the game-tying goal and assisting on the game-winner against No. 12 Notre Dame. Anaba scored in six of the last 12 matches of the season, posting six goals and five assists.
Ikner, the Bearcats' junior central defender, also received third-team plaudits. A 2006 second team All-BIG EAST selection, Ikner secured a UC backline that allowed nine goals in 11 conference matches and posted four shutouts in league play.
"I would like congratulate all three student-athletes on this honor," head coach Hylton Dayes said. "They are all very deserving and we are extremely proud of their accomplishments."
As a first team regional choice, Cummings is now eligible for NSCAA All-American honors. The Great Lakes region contains such national powers as , , Notre Dame, and .