Five James Madison men's soccer players are among 25 players who have been selected to the Colonial Athletic Association men's soccer Silver Anniversary team.
As part of its 25th Anniversary celebration in 2009-10, the CAA is recognizing Silver Anniversary teams in 21 championship sports. The teams are selected by a panel of current and former head coaches in the conference.
The CAA has established itself as one of the nation's best men's soccer conferences. Since sponsorship of the sport began in 1985, the CAA has sent multiple teams to the NCAA Championship in 17 of the 24 seasons, with American reaching the national championship game in 1985. The conference has had a team reach the NCAA quarterfinals six times.
William and Mary has captured five conference championships and made 11 NCAA Tournament appearances over the past 24 years. George Mason and JMU have each won four CAA titles and made eight NCAA Tournament trips as league members. Virginia Commonwealth owns three CAA titles and has made six NCAA Tournament appearances, while Hofstra claimed three straight CAA championships from 2004-06. Richmond and Old Dominion each have two league crowns, with the Monarchs reaching the NCAA's seven times, including a stretch of six straight from 2002-07.
JMU's Silver Anniversary Team Selections:
Brent Bennett - Forward -1991-94 - Arima, Trinidad
* Two-time All-America who received first team honors in 1994
* CAA Player of the Year in 1993 and a three-time All-CAA selection
* Ranked second in career goals (41) and third in career points (99) at JMU
* Led JMU to a 73-12-5 record and three consecutive CAA championships
Kaarlo Kankkunen - Midfielder -1992-94 - Valkeakoski, Finland
* CAA Player of the Year and All-America selection in 1994
* Three-time All-CAA and two-time All-South Atlantic Region honoree
* Holds JMU record for assists (16) in a season and ranks second in career assists (32)
* Led JMU to a 56-9-4 record and three consecutive CAA championships
Kevin Knight - Midfielder/Defender -1995-98 - Fairfax, Va.
* Only JMU player to receive All-CAA honors during all four of his seasons
* Named to the NSCAA Scholar-Athlete All-America team in 1997 and 1998
* Two-time All-South Atlantic Region selection
* JMU's Male Athlete and Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year in 1998-99
Patrick McSorley - Forward -1992-95 - Springfield, Va.
* Earned NSCAA All-America and All-South Atlantic Region honors in 1995
* JMU's all-time leader in goals (42) and points (103)
* Led JMU to a 73-14-6 record, four NCAA Tournament appearances and three CAA titles
* Scored the game-winning goal as JMU beat North Carolina in 1994 NCAA Tournament
Kurt Morsink - Midfielder -2003-06 - San Jose, Costa Rica
* Earned All-America honors in 2006
* Three-time All- CAA and All-South Atlantic Region first team selection
* Ranked among JMU's top seven in career goals (32), assists (29) and points (93)
* Set school record by scoring at least one point in 12 consecutive games
The complete list of the CAA Silver Anniversary team:
Wade Barrett (William and Mary)
Brent Bennett (James Madison)
Michael Brady (American)
Adin Brown (William and Mary)
Leigh Cowlishaw (Richmond)
Matthew Delicate (Virginia Commonwealth)
David Horst (Old Dominion)
Waughn Hughes (William and Mary)
Steve Jolley (William and Mary)
Kaarlo Kankkunen (James Madison)
Kevin Knight (James Madison)
Rich Kotschau (George Mason)
Tamir Linhart (George Mason)
Trevor McEachron (Old Dominion)
Patrick McSorley (James Madison)
Carlos Mendes (Old Dominion)
Kurt Morsink (James Madison)
Dominic Oduro (Virginia Commonwealth)
Mike Reynolds (George Mason)
Gonzalo Segares (Virginia Commonwealth)
Jimmy Tanner (Old Dominion)
Fred Thompson (George Mason)
Michael Todd (Hofstra)
Jon Tuttle (William and Mary)
Attila Vendegh (Old Dominion).