TicketsNov. 13, 2008
TAMPA, Fla. - University of Cincinnati men's soccer standout Brad Simpson (Novi, Mich./Novi) was named to the all-BIG EAST third team, the conference announced on Thursday evening (Nov. 13) on the eve of the BIG EAST Championship semifinals.
Simpson, a 6-4 defender and the team's lone senior, started 63-of-64 matches as a four-year starter. He led the Bearcats with four goals this season, including game-winners against Villanova (Oct. 4) and Syracuse (Oct. 25) on Senior Night. His defensive prowess helped the Bearcats post nine shutouts in 2008 and 28 shutouts during his four-year reign as a starter.
Simpson totaled five career goals and was a dangerous option for the Bearcats on restarts and corner kicks. He finished his career with seven assists and 17 points.
Simpson's award marks the fourth consecutive season that the Bearcats boasted an all-BIG EAST honoree, each year UC has been affiliated with the league.
Connecticut's O'Brian White was named Offensive Player of the Year, while Joel Gustafsson and Nelson Becerra of St. John's were named Defensive Player and Midfielder of the Year, respectively. The Goalkeeper of the Year was West Virginia's Zach Johnson and the Rookie of the Year was Colin Rolfe of Louisville. The Red Division champion St. John's coaches, led by head coach Dave Masur, were named Coaching Staff of the Year.
The semifinals of the BIG EAST Championship will get underway on Friday at USF Soccer Stadium with St. John's and DePaul squaring off at 5 p.m. and Notre Dame taking on host USF in the nightcap.
The Bearcats finished the 2008 season with a 7-10-2 record after falling to Georgetown in the first round of the BIG EAST Championship. UC, which featured a roster of 17 newcomers and 15 freshmen, earned a berth to the conference tournament for the fourth straight season.