Dec. 10, 2011
CONWAY - After leading the Coastal Carolina men's soccer team to its second consecutive and ninth overall NCAA Tournament appearance, junior Ashton Bennett and sophomore Pedro Ribeiro each earned All-American status, the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) announced Friday.
Bennett, the 2011 Big South Conference Attacking Player of the Year and Hermann Trophy semifinalist, garnered first 
team honors, while Ribeiro, a first team All-Big South selection, was named to the third team. In all, Coastal has now recorded six NSCAA All-Americans under 14th-year head coach Shaun Docking.
Behind Bennett and Ribeiro, the Chanticleers finished the season with an 18-4 record, including a perfect 9-0 conference mark, and claimed the program's 10th Big South regular season championship. Coastal earned an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament, where the Chants hosted and defeated Elon in the first round before taking national finalist North Carolina to the brink of elimination in the second round.
The duo represent the sixth and seventh Chanticleers to be named to the prestigious list joining Coastal greats Joseph Ngwenya (2003, first team/2002, second team), Mubarike Chisoni (2003, third team), Boyzzz Khumalo (2003, third team) and Guy Norcott (1992, third team).
Bennett tallied an NCAA-leading 23 goals, including nine game-winners. The Claredon, Jamaica, native finished the season ranked first in three offensive categories including total goals (23), total points (53.0) and points per game (2.41) as well as second in goals per game (1.05). Nationally, Bennett also ranks 47th with seven assists on the year and 99th in assists per game (.32). He posted seven multi-goal games during the 2011 campaign, including hat tricks against Richmond and Liberty. He was named the TopDrawerSoccer.com National Player of the Week during the week of Oct. 24 in addition to being named to its National Team of the Week on three occasions. Bennett was also named to the College Soccer News National Team of the Week twice this season. Additionally, the striker was named the MVP of the Virginia Commonwealth and Coastal Carolina tournaments.
Ribeiro, who was also named to the NCAA Men's Division I All-South Atlantic Team, led the team with eight assists, which was good enough for 20th in the national rankings. The Brazilian ranked second on the team in total points (26), goals (9) and tied for the team lead with seven assists. He was tabbed to the Top Drawer Soccer National Team of the Week and Big South Player of the Week. The sophomore also recorded two game-winning goals for the Chants.
In all, the 35 athletes from around the country were selected for the All-America first, second and third teams. They will be recognized at the annual All-America Luncheon, to be held in the Kansas City Convention Center's Grand Ballroom on Saturday, Jan. 14, in conjunction with the 2012 NSCAA Convention in Kansas City, Mo.
For the complete list of 2012 NSCAA All-Americans, visit NSCAA.com.
