AUGSBURG MEN'S SOCCER ALL-DECADE TEAM (2001-10)

MINNEAPOLIS -- The Augsburg College men's soccer program will honor its "All-Decade Team," recognizing the best players from the past 10 seasons, during a ceremony at its game on Saturday, Sept. 24 against the University of St. Thomas at Edor Nelson Field.

The ceremony, honoring team members from the 2001-10 seasons, will be held at halftime of the game against St. Thomas. Game time is 7 p.m. at Edor Nelson Field. A pregame meal/reception will be held in the Kennedy Center (rooms 303-305) from 5-6 p.m. For more information on the All-Decade Team event, contact head coach Greg Holker at 612-330-1424 or holker@augsburg.edu.

The All-Decade Team, selected by the Augsburg coaching staff, consists of a player at each of the 11 positions on the field, along with two substitutes.

Named to the All-Decade Team:
Goalkeeper -- Pascaul Venter (2005-09)
Defenders -- Simon Rekkebo (2008), Peter Loyd (2008-present), Nick Manders (2006-07), Alex Hildebrandt (2006-09)
Midfielders -- Aaron Riedel (2002-05), James See (2005-08), Ryan Sorensen (2006-09), Andy Seidel (2005-08)
Forwards -- Mike Elcano (2001-04), Ben Wexler (2010)
Substitutes -- Chad Gilmer (2009-present), D.J. Wendell (2005-09)

The 2001-10 decade will be remembered as one of the best stretches in Augsburg men's soccer history. Augsburg went 86-80-21 (.516) during the 10-season span, including a 59-28-12 (.616) record the last five years. Augsburg reached the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference postseason playoffs in 2006, 2008 and 2010, won the conference playoff title in 2010, and reached the NCAA national playoffs in both 2008 ("Sweet Sixteen" round) and 2010 (second round). The Auggies had 28 All-MIAC and All-MIAC Honorable Mention selections in the decade, along with 10 all-region selections and two All-Americans.

The 2010 team set a school record for victories with 16 and finished second in the conference regular-season standings, the best conference finish for the Auggies since the 1980 MIAC championship squad. Augsburg has won four MIAC titles (1973, 1974, 1975, 1980) since the program began in 1968.

Academically, there have been 13 Academic All-MIAC and seven National Soccer Coaches Association of America Scholar All-Region selections in the past decade, along with four Capital One (CoSIDA) Academic All-District and two Capital One (CoSIDA) Academic All-America selections. As a team, Augsburg has earned NSCAA Team Academic Award honors each of the last five seasons.