Northwestern University Athletics
Blades, Eliason Earn All-Great Lakes Region Honors
12/11/2008 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Dec. 11, 2008
EVANSTON, Ill. -
Northwestern junior defender Mark Blades has been named a first-team NSCAA/adidas All-Great Lakes Region selection, while sophomore forward Matt Eliason was named to the second team. By virtue of the honor, the individuals are now eligible for All-America consideration.
A native of Lakewood, Ohio, Blades earned the second all-region honor of his career after being named to the second team a year ago. He was a key component of a Northwestern defense that set a school record with 13 shutouts, allowed just 13 goals in 23 matches and posted a sparkling 0.57 goals-against average. Blades also pitched in on the offensive end, ranking tied for second on the squad with three goals and six points. He was previously recognized as a second-team All-Big Ten selection for the second straight season.
Eliason, a native of Lombard, Ill., paced the Wildcats' attack in 2008, scoring a team-high 12 goals and 25 points. The goal total ranks as a tie for the second-best season mark in Northwestern history. In a 3-0 win over Eastern Illinois Sept. 12, Eliason became just the third Wildcat and the first in 11 years to record a hat trick, scoring three times in the second half. Six of his goals were game-winners, tying him for the top spot in the Big Ten. He previously earned first-team All-Big Ten recognition for his efforts.
Northwestern finished the 2008 season with a 15-5-3 record and advanced to the NCAA quarterfinals for the second time in three years. The 15 victories tied the 2004 squad's record for most wins in a season.
