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By Mike Anderson, NKU Sports Information HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – Northern Kentucky University men’s soccer players Steven Beattie and Eric Ashworth were honored this week when they were selected as Daktronics Division II All-Americans. Beattie was named to the first team and was selected as the Ron Lenz National Player of the Year. Ashworth was a third-team honoree. They have led NKU to a 16-2-4 record and the team’s first-ever appearance in the NCAA Division II national semifinals. Beattie, a sophomore midfielder from Skerries, Ireland, has shattered the NKU single-season scoring record, having amassed 21 goals to surpass Todd Gruenwald’s 19-goal effort in 1992. Beattie was also named the Great Lakes Valley Conference Offensive Player of the Year and the Daktronics Midwest Region Player of the Year. The sophomore now has 32 goals to rank eighth all-time at NKU. Ashworth, a senior defender from Centerville, Ohio, is a stalwart on the “Norse Wall” defensive unit. Ashworth helped NKU maintain a 0.71 goals against average to rank 10th nationally. Also, the senior stepped up his offensive production, becoming a part of the attacking unit on deep set pieces and corner kicks to tally four goals on the season. It marks the third consecutive season in which NKU has had players named as All-Americans. Tony Capurro was a two-time selection in 2006 and 2007, while Andy Bacon, Braden Bishop and Dan Impellizzeri all earned the honors in 2007. NKU travels to Tampa, Fla., to take on Dowling (N.Y.) in the NCAA Division II national semifinals on Friday. Kickoff is scheduled for 4 p.m. |
