KANSAS CITY, Mo. – United Soccer Coaches announced its NCAA regional coaching awards Friday and Gustavus men’s soccer was selected Division III Region IX Staff of the Year.
Head Coach Tudor Flintham, assisted by Tyler Oliver, David Jansen, and Henry Taylor, directed the Gusties to a 15-2-6 overall record and 9-0-1 mark in the MIAC, capturing the program’s 17th regular season title. Gustavus earned an at-large berth to the NCAA tournament as the No. 5-ranked team in the country, beating Aurora 2-0 in the first round and then tying UW-Eau Claire 1-1 in the regional final while advancing in penalty kicks. The Gusties then travelled to Chicago where they tied St. Olaf 2-2 and advanced on penalty kicks once again, moving on to the NCAA quarterfinals for the first time since 2005. Gustavus then lost 1-0 to No. 2 Chicago in the sectional finals.
The Gustavus staff coached four All-Conference selections, including the MIAC Defensive Player of the Year, three First Team All-Region selections, four CSC Academic All-District honorees, and one Second Team All-American in keeper Wesley Sanders (Sr., Urbandale, Iowa).