Story courtesy of Trinity University Sports Information
ORLANDO, Fla. - Trinity University Tigers men's soccer senior goalkeeper Matt Cardone is participating in the preseason training camp of Major League Soccer's Orlando City Soccer Club.
Known as the Lions, Orlando City SC will play its first season in MLS. Previously, the club competed in the USL Pro League from 2010-2014. A key member of the team is Kaká, of Brazil, the former FIFA World Player of the Year.
Cardone was invited to the camp by Orlando City SC Head Coach Adrian Heath and his staff. Cardone was elected to the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA)/Continental Tire NCAA Division III Men's Division III All-America First Team, following the 2014 campaign. It marked the second time Cardone earned All-America honors, as he had been selected for the First Team in 2012.
During the season, Cardone posted 79 saves and yielded only 14 goals during his 25 games while protecting the net. Cardone's 0.63 goals-against average was ranked 31st of 200 players in the NCAA, while his save percentage of 0.85 held a No. 32 ranking. He also accounted for eight of Trinity's shutout victories.
Additionally, Cardone was named to the All-Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference Team for the fourth straight year.
Led by Cardone, Trinity finished the season with a school record-tying 24 wins (24-2-0 overall). He also led the Tigers to a second-place ranking in Division III, with 85 goals scored, as well as fifth in goals per game (3.27 goals per game). The stingy Tiger defense, in which Cardone played a major role, permitted just 17 goals over 26 games, for a team GAA of 0.65. Trinity was ranked 25th nationally in the GAA category.
The Tigers captured their third straight SCAC Championship, and 17th overall. Trinity advanced to the NCAA Playoffs for the 13th consecutive year (18th in the last 19 years), and advanced to the quarterfinals for the second straight time, and ninth in its history.
For his efforts, Coach McGinlay was elected the NSCAA West Region Coach of the Year for the second consecutive time, and ninth overall.
