2014 College Soccer News All-Americans

CONWAY - Coastal Carolina University men's soccer standout Shawn McLaws can now add All-American honors to his impressive collegiate resume. The Chanticleer senior captain has been named to the College Soccer News All-American third team.

McLaws' honor marks the fourth consecutive season and eighth overall that a Chanticleer has been named an All-American. He becomes the seventh All-American in Coastal Carolina history, joining former teammates Ashton Bennett (2011, 2012) and Pedro Ribeiro (2011, 2013) along with Chanticleer greats Guy Norcott (1992), Joseph Ngwenya (2002, 2003), Boyzzz Khumalo (2003) and Mubarike Chisoni (2003).

McLaws played in 21 of Coastal's 23 matches this season, leading the Chanticleers to a 16-6-1 record (the 16 wins ties Creighton, Syracuse, Providence and UC Irvine for the most in the NCAA). McLaws was also tapped as the Big South Defensive Player of the Year last month, making him the only two-time Defensive Player of the Year in league history. In addition, McLaws was named to the conference's first team and all-tournament team along with picking up first team All-South Region honors from the NSCAA.

McLaws, an Edmond, Okla., native, was the anchor along the backline for a Chanticleer defense that ranked 39th in the country with a 0.85 goals against average. He proved to be Coastal's most versatile defender - often playing numerous positions in the same match - and led the defense to nine shutouts during the 2014 campaign. Coastal Carolina limited its opposition to a mere 3.30 shots on goal per game, thanks in large part to McLaws' ability to limit balls crossed into the box from the flanks.

McLaws closed his collegiate career with a 73-18-3 record along with three Big South regular season and two tournament championships. He also helped direct the Chanticleers to the NCAA Tournament in each of his four seasons in Conway. He finished with a 6-4-0 NCAA Tournament record, including a back-to-back of Round of 16 appearances in 2012 and 2013.

A fixture in the Chanticleers' starting XI since his freshman season, McLaws ranks is tied for second on the CCU all-time list with 89 matches played and is third with 84 career starts. He logged 7,207 minutes along the Coastal backline, missing just three matches due to injury throughout his four-year career.

McLaws will now focus his attention to the professional ranks. He is one of 55 seniors throughout NCAA Division I invited to the 2015 MLS Combine. The combine takes place in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., from Jan. 8-13.