Index of Sports Press Releases

Nov. 1, 2006

Seven Tigers Earn All-GPAC in Men’s Soccer

Sioux City, Iowa — Seven members of the Dakota Wesleyan University men’s soccer team were named to the 2006 Great Plains Athletic Conference Men’s Soccer All-Conference team that was announced Wednesday (Nov. 1). DWU freshmen forward Juan Baltazar and defender Kaleb Herring were on the All-GPAC first team. They were the only two freshmen on the first-team. Midfielder Jimmy Gutierrez was named Second-Team All-GPAC while Kyle Cathey, Gerald Cruz, Octavio Hernandez, and Richard Simmonds received honorable mention All-GPAC.

Baltazar (F, Fr.) has already set the DWU season record with 19 goals. The Elsa, Texas, native has six game-winning goals on the season. He has scored three goals in one game in three different matches. He also has six assists on the season.

Herring (Def, Fr.) has started 16 games as a defender this season. The Waco, Texas native has been the team leader on the field, while scoring four goals as a defender.

Gutierrez (MF, Jr.) has seven assists on the season which is tied for the team lead. Gutierrez, a native of Waco, Texas has also been a key figure in the midfield this season for DWU.

Cathey (DEF, Jr.) has scored one goal with two assists on the season. The Wichita, Kan., native is also a top defender for the Tigers. He is a two-year starter at DWU.

Cruz (F, Sr.) is second on the team with eight goals on the season. The Waco, Texas native also has two assists on the season for a total of 18 points. He has three game-winning goals on the year.

Hernandez (MF, So.) has played in all 17 games this season. The Decatur, Mich., native has scored four goals and is tied for the team lead with seven assists. He has 15 total points this year.

Simmonds (MF, Fr.) has scored three goals and has four assists on the year. The Lehigh Acres, Fla., native has 10 total points on the season. He has played in all 17 games as a true freshman.

Aaron Polak from Hastings College was the GPAC Player of the Year, while Chris Kranjc from Hastings College was the GPAC Coach of the Year.

Dakota Wesleyan has advanced to the Final Four of the NAIA Region III Tournament which begins on Friday (Nov. 3) at Hastings, Neb. The Tigers (9-7-1) face Northwestern College on Friday in the semifinals which are set to begin at 7 p.m. at Lloyd Wilson Field.

DWU All-GPAC Performers
First Team
Juan Baltazar, F, Fr., Elsa, Texas
Kaleb Herring, Def, Fr., Waco, Texas

Second Team
Jimmy Gutierrez, MF, Jr., Waco, Texas

Honorable Mention
Kyle Cathey, Def., Jr., Wichita, Kan.
Gerald Cruz, F, So., Waco, Texas
Octavio Hernandez, MF, So., Decatur, Mich.
Richard Simmonds, MF, Fr., Lehigh Acres, Fla.