(Story and photo courtesy of Trinity University Athletics)
SAN ANTONIO, Texas -- Trinity University men's soccer Head Coach Paul McGinlay and his assistant coaches have been elected the NCAA Division III West Region Staff of the Year by United Soccer Coaches. Complete Release
Coach McGinlay, who completed his 28th year at the helm, shared the high accolade with Assistant Coaches Edward Cartee, Lance Key, Kellen Reid, Luc Scranton, Callum Squires, and Diego Restrepo. The coaching staff guided the Tigers to a #1 ranking in the West Region and to a 17-2-3 overall record.
Ranked fifth nationally, Trinity made its 17th straight appearance in the NCAA Division III Championship and the 22nd overall. The Tigers hosted the first two rounds of the tournament and defeated Chapman (CA) University and the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor (TX). The team headed to Chicago, Illinois, for its sixth appearance in the last seven years in the NCAA Round of 16. Third-ranked host University of Chicago (IL) ended Trinity's campaign in the third round.
Earlier, Trinity battled its way to a seventh consecutive Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference (SCAC) Championship. The title game with Southwestern (TX) University resulted in a 1-1 double-overtime tie, and the Tigers won the trophy 4-2 in penalty kicks.
Three Tiger players were elected to the United Soccer Coaches NCAA Division III All-America Teams. Brady Johnston was selected for the All-America First Team, Austin Michaelis made the Second Team, and Quentin Van Der Lee was a Third Team recipient. Johnston, Michaelis, and Van Der Lee were elected to the United Soccer Coaches All-West Region First Team, while Andrea Codispoti made the Third Team. Additionally, Johnston was named the SCAC Men's Soccer Defensive Player of the Year.
Luther (IA) College Head Coach Chris Garcia-Prats led the North Region Coaching Staff of the Year. Garcia-Prats was a standout player for the Tigers over four seasons, as well as serving as an assistant coach under Coach McGinlay after graduation.
