Spokane, WA – Saint Martin's head coach Rob Walker has been named as the Great Northwest Athletic Conference Men's Soccer Coach-of-the-Year while eight athletes were selected to the all-conference team.

Walker led Saint Martin's to an 11-7 record, 6-2 in conference, and its first ever GNAC title in any sport. Soccer is only in its third year as a varsity sport at SMU. In the first two seasons the Saints won a total of just nine matches.

"This recognition by Rob's peers is well deserved and can be attributed to the hard work of Rob, his staff and his team to accomplish winning a conference championship in only their third year," said Athletic Director Bob Grisham.

Forward Xan Nixon, goalkeeper Zac Lubin and midfielder Ruben Orozco all earned first-team honors, with Nixon and Orozco being unanimous selections. Nixon was second in the GNAC in shots (66), third in points (23) and goals (9) and sixth in assists (5). He led the team in total points, goals, game winning goals and shots on goal (35).

"Xan was quite possibly our best player in the second half of the season," said Walker. "He has scored some great goals throughout the year, but his ability to help us keep the ball from a targeting position up front and get behind opponent's back line has been a real strength." 
 

Lubin, who started all 18 games for the Saints, leads the GNAC in saves at 65. His goals against average (1.53) and save percentage (.714) were third best in the conference.

"After a couple of years of 'on the job training' Zac has really shown a great appreciation for reading the game and leading our team from the back," said Walker. "The 'big man' has had tremendous saves that have a great deal to do with our success this year as most of our games were decided by one goal." 

Orozco, a repeat selection from last season, finished the season with 12 points, third on the team. He was second on the team with five goals and 43 shots.
 

"Ruben has great style and skill," said Walker. "His ability to manipulate the ball in and out of tight spaces is phenomenal. Over the course of the season he has hit some magnificent shots from long range that have been wonderful goals and his passing ability is second to none."

Making up the Saints' second-team selections were midfielder Vlad Voin and defender Erik Orozco.

"The word mercurial fits Vlad's playing style. He has exceptional skill and balance on the ball and has great flair and vision which accounts for some great assists and for the first time, some great goals and the most opportune times," said Walker. "Vlad is a difficult player to defend against as he can run with the ball and stop and start very quickly."

"Erik brings a nice balance of skill and bite to our team. His work on and off the ball has helped our team keep a good shape and has given multiple players an opportunity to play on the ball because they know Erik's going to be accountable to help us on the ball, off the ball and in defense," said Walker.

Honorable mention went to defenders James Schmid, Tony Armitage and Brandon Scott.

"James' growth as a defender has taken off by leaps and bounds in the last year. His work as a central defender was best shown against some of the top scorers in the league as he combined with his partner in the back, Tony Armitage to stop teams from scoring," said Walker.

After playing at right back during his freshman year, Tony made the change to center back this year," said Walker. "Tony has great skill and consistently works to improve his defending on the ball and in partnership with other players."

"Brandon really provided our team stability usually unheard of as a freshman," said Walker. "He did a very good job with his individual defending, was an excellent ball winner and played some great long throws and crosses from the left wing that lifted our team in big games. Brandon has a great skill base and understanding of how to play the game."