Nelson and Sullivan tabbed Daktronics First Team All-Central Region; Decker and Strand garner Second Team honors

GOLDEN, Colo. – Colorado School of Mines men’s soccer players Jeff Nelson, Chike Sullivan, Ted Decker and Manville Strand all earned Daktronics All-Central Region honors as announced this afternoon. The team was voted on by the sports information directors from the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) and Upper Iowa and the University of Mary from the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC).

Nelson, a senior forward from Laramie, Wyo. (Laramie H.S.), was a First Team All-RMAC selection for the 2009 season. This season, Nelson led the team in both goals (12) and points (28). Nelson currently leads the conference with five game-winning goals, ranks second in goals and fourth in points. For his efforts in the classroom, Nelson was a First Team Academic All-RMAC selection and was a CoSIDA/ ESPN the Magazine Second Team Academic All-District selection.

Sullivan, a sophomore midfielder from San Juan, Trinidad and Tobago (St. George’s College), garnered First Team All-RMAC honors during the 2009 campaign. Sullivan started 21 games this season scoring seven goals, three-game winners, tallying four assists and converting all three of his penalty kicks.

Decker, a senior midfielder from Butte, Mont. (Butte H.S.), earned Second Team All-RMAC honors this season. During the 2009 season, Decker scored five goals (one game-winner) and tallied four assists.

Strand, a freshman goalkeeper from Las Vegas, N.V. (Spring Valley H.S.), was named the 2009 RMAC Freshman of the Year and earned Second Team All-RMAC honors. Strand posted a record of 15-2-4 in net starting every match as a true freshman. Among goalkeepers in conference, Strand ranks first in save percentage (.808), second in goals against average (0.78) and shutouts (8) and fifth in saves (80).

The 10th-ranked Orediggers earned a bid to the NCAA Division II Soccer Championships for the second time in program history. #1 ranked Fort Lewis College defeated CSM, 3-0, in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on Friday, Nov. 13th at Dirks Field in Durango, Colo. Mines finished the 2009 season with a record of 15-3-4 overall and 11-2-1 in RMAC play.

For more information about Colorado School of Mines Athletics, please contact Assistant Sports Information Director Katie Simons at ksimons@mines.edu.

-- OREDIGGERS --