Purdue Calumet Has Three Players Named to All-CCAC Squad

PUC-PeregrinsAfter the best season in more than two decades, the Purdue University Calumet men’s soccer was honored with three all-Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference selections as announced by league Saturday evening.

Senior defender Sahid Navarro (Chicago, Ill./Gwendolyn Brooks) and freshman goalkeeper Miguel David (Spring Valley, Calif./Bonita Vista)were named to the 14-player first team, while junior forward Papa Otoo (Bradenton, Fla./Braden River) was selected to the all-CCAC second team – all firsts for the three players and were the first league honors since the men’s soccer program as reinstated in 2012.

The Peregrines finished 2014 with a 10-7-2 record which included their first trip to the CCAC Tournament in at least 15 years, as the sport was cut in 1998 due to budget concerns. Purdue Calumet advanced to the CCAC semis – the first time that’s happened since 1982 – with a thrilling 5-3 win in the penalty kick round after playing Roosevelt to a 2-2 draw through two overtimes.

Navarro, a 6-foot-3 center back, was one of the main reasons behind a stingy Peregrine defense that allowed a league-least 0.95 goals against average in league play, recorded five overall shutouts, and gave up just 233 shots on the season. The senior also netted his lone goal of the season in a 3-0 win over Cardinal Stritch.

David proved his value as one of the best keepers in the league in just his first season, as the 6-0 freshman led the conference in goals against average (0.95) and save percentage (8.28) and was third in total saves (4.82 per game) in conference stats. He was also tied as the league leader with four shutouts in CCAC play. David turned many heads with several terrific stops this season, including a leaping stop high on a point-blank Roosevelt shot in double-overtime that helped send the match into the PK round. He finished the season ranked in the top 50 nationally in both totals saves (78, 44th) and overall goals against average (1.10, 47th).

Otoo led the squad in nearly every offensive category, including goals (seven), points (18), shots (50), shots on goal (24), and was second in assists with four. The junior also tied as the team-leader in game-winning goals with three, which lifted the Peregrines to wins over Cornerstone, Trinity Christian, and Cincinnati Christian. In conference play only, Otoo ranked sixth in shots, eighth in shots per game, and seventh in assists in the CCAC.

Judson junior forward Walter Lopez was named the CCAC’s Player of the Year and Roosevelt freshman midfielder Jose Garcia was tabbed as the Freshman of the Year. Olivet Nazarene Head Coach David Blahnik was named the Coach the Year after the Tigers captured both the regular-season and tournament championship with Saturday’s 1-0 victory over Cardinal Stritch in the title match.

The Tigers knocked out the Peregrines in the CCAC semifinals, 2-0.