Three From Men's Soccer Earn All-Region Honors

Three From Men's Soccer Earn All-Region Honors

December 10, 2024, 12:00 PM

SIUE men's soccer is once again well represented on the North All-Region teams as announced today by the United Soccer Coaches.

Rob Gjelaj (First Team), Nic Muench (Second Team) and Yasha Schaerer (Second Team) have each been selected.

Gjelaj's selection makes the second straight year SIUE has had a first team pick. He is the eighth first team All-Region selection since SIUE returned to Division I in 2008.

The grad transfer from Romeo, Michigan, started 19 games for SIUE during the season and earned recognition as the Goalkeeper of the Year in the Ohio Valley Conference. He finished the year with a 0.85 goals against average and an .838 save percentage, which currently ranks third in the NCAA. He made 83 total saves which is No. 8 in the country. Gjelaj recorded 10 shutouts during the season, which is second most in the country and ranks third in a single season for SIUE.

Muench played in 19 games, making 18 starts for SIUE. The senior from Heidelberg, Germany was named Most Valuable Player at the 2024 OVC soccer championship. He finished fifth on the team in scoring with nine points coming on three goals and three assists.

Schaerer led the team in scoring with 15 points coming on three goals and an OVC-leading nine assists. He ranked 17th in the NCAA in total assists. All three of his goals were game-winning tallies. The native of Zurich, Switzerland, was honored as the Midfielder of the Year in the OVC and named to the OVC All-Tournament team.

SIUE finished the year 12-5-3 overall and captured the Ohio Valley Conference regular season and tournament titles for the second consecutive year and appeared in the NCAA tournament for the 25th time in school history.

Photo:
(left to right): Yasha Schaerer, Rob Gjelaj and Nic Muench