Northwestern University Athletics
Eliason, Kupe Earn Second-Team All-Big Ten Recognition
11/10/2010 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Nov. 10, 2010
EVANSTON, Ill. - Northwestern senior midfielder Matt Eliason (Lombard, Ill./Glenbard East) and junior forward Oliver Kupe (Clarkston, Mich./Clarkston) have been recognized as second-team All-Big Ten honorees as selected by the conference's head coaches.
It is the third All-Big Ten recognition of Eliason's career after being named to the first team as both a sophomore and a junior. Kupe's all-conference selection is his first.
Eliason paces the Wildcats and ranks tied for sixth in the Big Ten with six assists this season after being known primarily as a goal-scorer during his first three seasons as a Wildcat. He also has three goals to his credit this year as has 33 for his career to rank first all-time at Northwestern. His 82 total points are also the best in program history.
Kupe has traded roles with Eliason this season as he ranks fourth in the Big Ten with a team-leading 10 goals. A year ago, he led the Wildcats with seven assists. Kupe has a pair of two-goal games to his credit in 2010, scoring twice against both Cleveland State (9/10) and Michigan (11/6). His 21 points this season pace Northwestern.
In addition, Layth Masri and Lepe Seetane have been named to the Big Ten All-Freshman Team as a defender and a midfielder, respectively. Both individuals have appeared in all 17 matches this season with Masri making 16 starts and Seetane making 13.
Masri has one goal and two assists to his credit this season, while Seetane has contributed two goals and one assist. The goal for Masri was a game-winner in a 3-2 victory over DePaul (10/6).
Senior midfielder/defender Jack Hillgard was honored as the team's recipient of the Big Ten Sportsmanship Award. The honor is given to individuals who have destinguished themselves through sportsmanship and ethical behavior. In addition, the student-athlete must be in good academic standing and have demonstrated good citizenship outside of the sports-competition setting.
Northwestern (8-7-2) is the No. 5 seed for this week's Big Ten tournament in University Park, Pa. The Wildcats take on host and fourth-seeded Penn State in a first-round contest beginning at 4 p.m. CT Thursday.
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