The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Men's Soccer Has Two Named NSCAA All-America
12/17/2003 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Dec. 17, 2003
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. ----- Sophomore midfielder Leandro de Oliveira and senior defender Tony McManus were named to the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) All-America team, announced NSCAA officials on Wednesday. It marks the first time in the program's history two UAB players were selected to an All-American team in the same year.
"I am proud and excited for both of these young men," UAB head coach Mike Getman said. "Both of them had a great season and it is a great honor for them. I am glad other coaches have recognized them as two of the top players in the United States."
De Oliveira, who was selected as a second team All-American, shined in his first year as a Blazer. The Bryan, Texas native finished second on the team with five goals and 18 points, and led the squad with eight assists on the campaign. De Oliveira, a sophomore midfielder, was one of three players to start all 20 games for the Blazers. He was also named to the NSCAA All-South First Team and the Conference USA First Team for his efforts.
McManus, selected as a third-team All-American, was named as the Conference USA Co-Defensive Player of the Year. The Memphis, Tenn. native also joined de Oliveira on the NSCAA All-South First Team and the Conference USA First Team. . McManus was the anchor of a UAB defense, which was among the leaders in C-USA throughout the season in goals allowed (19), goals against average (0.94) and shutouts (8). The two-time C-USA Defensive Player of the Week was one of only three Blazers to start all 20 contests this season. He finishes his college career with 57 starts and 79 games played.
The duo becomes the second and third UAB players to be honored with selection in the program's 25-year history. Rumbani Munthali (1997-2000) was the only other player in the program to be named as an NSCAA All-American, earning third-team honors in 2000.
NSCAA/adidas? 2003 Division I Men All-America
First Team
GK Will Hesmer* Sr. Wake Forest Wilson, N.C.
D Leonard Griffin Sr. UCLA Palmdale, Calif.
D Trevor McEachron Jr. Old Dominion Woodbridge, Va.
D Chris Wingert* Sr. St. John's Babylon, N.Y.
M Scott Buete* Sr. Maryland Bowie, Md.
M Sumed Ibrahim* Sr. Maryland Prospect, Ky.
M C.J. Klaas Jr. Washington Cherry Valley, Ill.
F Adom Crew Sr. Brown Cincinnati, Ohio
F Ned Grabavoy* Jr. Indiana New Lennox, Ill.
F Vedad Ibisevic Fr. Saint Louis St. Louis, Mo.
F Joseph Ngwenya* Sr. Coastal Carolina Bulawayo, Zimbabwe
Second Team
GK Zach Wells Sr. UCLA Costa Mesa, Calif.
D Ryan Cochrane Jr. Santa Clara Portland, Ore.
D Philip Hucles Sr. William and Mary Virginia Beach, Va.
D Jeff Laurentowicz Jr. Brown West Chester, Pa.
D Michael Parkhurst So. Wake Forest Cranston, R.I.
M Leonardo de Oliveira So. Alabama-Birmingham Bryan, Texas
M Damien Pottinger Sr. Duquesne Scarborough, Ontario
M Eric Vasquez Jr. Central Florida Miami, Fla.
F Matthew Delicate Sr. Virginia Commonwealth Richmond, Va.
F Matt Taylor Sr. UCLA Irvine, Calif.
F Attilla Vendegh Sr. Old Dominion Stuvoud, Slovakia
F Jeremiah White Sr. Wake Forest Landsdowne, Pa.
Third Team
GK Andrew Nucifora So. Fairleigh Dickinson Derby, Conn.
D Denny Clanton Sr. Dayton Aurora, Ill.
D Tony McManus Sr. Alabama-Birmingham Memphis, Tenn.
D Edwin Miranda Sr. Cal State-Northridge Van Nuys, Calif.
D Jason Perry Sr. Oakland Southfield, Mich.
M Mubarike Chisoni Jr. Coastal Carolina Bulawayo, Zimbabwe
M Josh Gros Sr. Rutgers Mechanicsburg, Pa.
M Thabiso Khumalo Jr. Coastal Carolina Bardstown, Ky.
F Knox Cameron Jr. Michigan Bronx, N.Y.
F Justin Detter Sr. Notre Dame White Lake, Mich.
F Thomas McMenemy Sr. Columbia Southhampton, England
F Ryan Pore So. Tulsa Mansfield, Ohio
* indicates prior selections
