‘Hoos place four players on All-America Team, tying program record

Posted on Thursday, Dec. 12, 2019, 10:30 pm

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Courtesy UVA Media Relations

Virginia goalkeeper Colin Shutler was one of four Wahoos named to the All-America Team Thursday, along with Joe Bell, Henry Kessler and Daryl Dike (Photo: Virginia Athletics).

No. 1 Virginia claimed four spots on the United Soccer Coaches Association All-America team, matching a program-high set in 1992. Juniors Joe Bell, Colin Shutler, Henry Kessler and Daryl Dike all were honored in Cary, N.C. at the College Cup banquet on Thursday evening.

Bell (Wanaka, New Zealand) and Shulter (Middleburg, Va.) were listed on the first team, the eighth time in program history Virginia has produced multiple first team honorees. Kessler (New York, N.Y.) landed on the second team while Dike (Edmond, Okla.) earned third team honors. The four selections on the 2019 teams were tied with Clemson for the most in the country.

Bell, who earlier in the day was named a finalist for the MAC Hermann Trophy, adds to a growing list of accolades that includes 2019 ACC Midfielder of the Year, First Team All-South Region and First Team All-ACC. Bell is second on the team with six goals, including two in the NCAA Quarterfinal against SMU last Friday. He appeared in all but two matches this season, missing only the ACC Semifinal and ACC Final when he was called up to the New Zealand Full National Team.

Shutler has played every minute in goal for the Cavaliers this season and sports the country’s lowest goals against average at 0.40. He has been credited with a NCAA-best, 15 shutouts and is second in the nation in save percentage (.852). He leads all active goals with a career goals against average of 0.52, the fourth lowest in UVA history. His 23 career shutouts in 37 career starts are tied fourth most in the Cavalier annals.

Kessler was rewarded for his center back role on the country’s top defense. He hasn’t missed a minute of action on a back line that has surrendered just nine goals in 22 games, the fewest in the country and tied for second-fewest ever by a Cavalier team. Kessler has collected First Team All-Region honors, second team All-ACC laurels and was named the MVP of the 2019 ACC Tournament. He scored the game-tying goal against then-No. 2 Duke on Sept. 13, his first career goal. He has been named to the TopDrawerSoccer Team of the Week four times in 2019.

Dike leads the Cavaliers in goals (7), assists (8) and points (22). The sophomore striker has First Team All-Region and Second Team All-ACC accolades to his credit this season. He has been pivotal in the Cavaliers offense, drawing seven fouls this season that have directly led to goals. He was the ACC Offensive Player of the Week on Oct. 28 and was recognized on the TopDrawerSoccer.com’s Team of the Week on Monday.

2019 United Soccer Coaches All-America Team