Nov. 5, 2008

2008 Men's Soccer All-Conference

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. - The Boston University men's soccer team, the 2008 America East regular-season champion, has been honored with three major annual awards, which were determined in a vote by the league's head coaches and released by the conference today. Freshman Michael Bustamante has been named Rookie and Midfielder of the Year, while head coach Neil Roberts and his staff were selected as the Coaching Staff of the Year. Additionally, BU received seven all-conference team accolades, more than any other team in the conference.

Bustamante, who earned America East Rookie of the Week honors on October 13, finished the regular season tied for third among league leaders with eight assists, including a league-best five in America East play. He added two goals, including the game-winner at Stony Brook, for a total of 12 points, which ranked second on the team. Also a unanimous first-team all-conference honoree, Bustamante joins UMBC's Matt Watson, New Hampshire's Chris Banks and Vermont's Lee Stephane Kouadio as the only players to earn multiple accolades in the same season.

Roberts, who is in his 24th season as head coach, led BU to its ninth regular-season title during his tenure. Roberts and the Terriers, who are unbeaten over their last seven games with six victories during that span, are in search of their second straight trip to the NCAA tournament and eighth America East title in their history. Roberts, who also received Coach of the Year recognition in 1991, 1994, 2001, and 2004, is assisted by Scott Black, Francis Okaroh and Dan Colwell.

Senior back Dan Schultz joins Bustamante on the America East All-Conference First Team. Recently named to the ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District I First Team, Schultz anchored a backline this season that has shut out eight opponents, including then-No. 3 Connecticut, and allowed just two goals in the previous seven games to put BU atop the America East standings.

Junior forward Shaun Taylor, who leads the Terriers in goals with nine, received a second-team selection along with junior midfielders Samuel Appiah and Richy Dorman. In addition, Bustamante and midfielder Colin Henry made the all-rookie team.

BU will host its 2008 America East Men's Soccer Championship semifinal game on Wednesday, Nov. 12, at Nickerson Field against the winner of this Saturday's Vermont/Hartford contest. The game is set for 7 p.m.