KANSAS CITY, MO.--Junior center back
Bridger Hansen was named to the United Soccer Coaches DII All-America Third Team. Hansen was joined by teammate, senior forward,
Danny Darelli on the United Soccer Coaches All-South Central Region First Team.
The pair helped lead the Griffins to its second straight appearance in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference tournament with a 8-4-2 RMAC record and 10-7-2 overall record.
Darelli finished the year scoring nine goals with five game winners. He was third in the RMAC for most goals scored and second in game winners. His efforts earned him All-RMAC First Team honors for the second year in a row. He was also named All-RMAC honorable mention as s sophomore.
Darelli finishes his career with 26 goals and five assists. He ranks first in goals, game winning goals, shots on goal and is tied first for shots attempted as a NCAA Division II program. All-time Darelli is first in penalty kicks made and attempted, third in shots on goal, tied third in game-winning goals and fifth in shots on goal per game.
"Danny has earned all of his individual awards. His work rate since day one has been second to none," Head Coach
Josh Pittman commented. "What he has done for our program has been impressive and important at the same time. We would not be where we are today without him."
Hansen is the first soccer player to receive All-America honors since becoming a DII program. Hansen played 16 games, helped lead the team to 11 shutouts and only allowed multiple goals in three games. Hansen is an offensive threat as well. He was third on the team with five goals, scored a game-winner and provided an assist.
The Griffins have become one of the top defensive teams in the conference and region since Hansen joined in 2018. The Griffins have earned 18 shutouts with Hansen on the field and only allowed multiple goals in six games.
"Bridger has changed our program," Pittman said. "I'm very happy for him to be recognized as one of the top defenders in Division II. His presence on the field is unique both as a scoring threat and as the anchor to our defense."
