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  Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Men's Soccer 		SIUE Men's Soccer
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Banner
Mike Banner

Thibodeau
Kevin Thibodeau

Listing
 December 7, 2005

Five Cougars Named All-Region
         EDWARDSVILLE, ILL. - The Southern Illinois University Edwardsville men’s soccer team added to its list of accomplishments and awards this season with five players being named to the All-Great Lakes Region team.
         The Cougars ended their season with a 16-3-3 mark, a Great Lakes Region Championship, and a trip to the NCAA Division II Men’s Soccer Final Four for the second year in a row and the third time in five years.
         “Great players make great teams,” said SIUE men’s soccer coach Ed Huneke. “These guys are the reason we have been so successful.”
         Junior Mike Banner (Washington, D.C.) and Great Lakes Valley Conference Player of the Year Kevin Thibodeau (St. Charles, Mo.) were named to the first team after both players garnered second team honors in 2004. Banner led Cougars with eight goals and ranked second on the club with 19 points. Thibodeau led a defense that allowed 12 goals and a 0.52 goals against average while setting a new school record with 13 shutouts.
         Forward Victor Pacheco (San Luis, Brazil) and fellow junior John Matthews (Edwardsville) were picked as second team members. Pacheco ranked first on the team in points (20) and assists (6), and second with seven goals. Matthews, a midfielder, notched two goals on the season adding an assist. Both of his goals were game-winners. For his career six of his nine goals have been game-winning.
         Senior Brian Higgins (St. Charles, Mo.) was named to the third team after breaking the school record for career starts at 83. Higgins passed Chris Knopf, who started 82 contests from 1987-1990, with his start in the national semifinals against Franklin Pierce. Higgins notched two goals and four assists adding an advancing penalty kick against Truman State in the NCAA second round.
         “We will miss Brian as well as all of our seniors,” said Huneke. “I think we have some good players coming back as well. It will give us a nice blend.” The Cougars will have 18 players returning with eligibility for next season.
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