2020 All-GPAC Men’s Soccer Team
SEWARD, Neb. – A quartet of representatives from the Concordia University Men’s Soccer team landed on the 2020 All-GPAC second team, as announced by the conference on Friday (Dec. 18). The group of Bulldog second team honorees includes freshman Iker Casanova, sophomore Moises Jacobo, junior Carlos Orquiz and freshman Federico Simonetti. In addition, senior Garrett Perry earned recognition as an honorable mention all-conference selection.
Head Coach Jason Weides’ squad went 9-3-2 overall (7-2-2 GPAC) this fall and placed fifth in the GPAC regular season standings. The 2020-21 season is slated to continue in the spring when the conference postseason tournament will be held.
A native of Grand Island, Neb., Jacobo moves up to the second team in 2020 after collecting honorable mention accolades in 2019. One of the team’s top strikers, Jacobo was named the NAIA National Offensive Player of the Week on Sept. 29 following a hat trick in the win at Dordt. Jacobo shares the team lead with five goals on the season. He has also added four assists. In 32 career games at Concordia, Jacobo has totaled 11 goals and nine assists.
In the midfield, Orquiz has provided a consistent high level of play. The native of Chihuahua, Mexico, has picked up all-conference mention for the first time in his career. While playing in all 14 games this fall, Orquiz amassed four goals (one game winner) and four assists. In the victory over Jamestown, Orquz produced a goal and two assists. Over 47 career games, Orquiz has put up nine goals and eight assists while also contributing heavily to typically strong team defensive performances.
Simonetti stepped into the starting keeper role in his first collegiate season and solidified the role. The native of Crema, Italy, started 12 of 14 games this fall and notched 38 saves, a .776 save percentage and a .930 goals against average. Simonetti was credited with three shutouts. He made a season high five saves in three separate outings. Simonetti was named the GPAC Defensive Player of the Week on Sept. 29.
Casanova stepped into a starting center back position and thrived. Casanova and Simonetti are two of five GPAC freshmen to be named to either the first or second team. A native of Mexico City, Mexico, Casanova played a key role in the team’s four shutouts and also contributed three goals and two assists this fall. He was honored as the GPAC Defensive Player of the Week in back-to-back weeks in October.
Perry is an honorable mention selection for the second year in a row. He has equaled Jacobo for a team high five goals on the year. The native of Corona, Calif., recorded the first hat trick of his career in the home win over Northwestern. Perry has also chipped in with three assists. Over 62 career games as a Bulldog, Perry has totaled 13 goals and 11 assists.