Santa Clara’s Mehdi Ballouchy became the fourth Bronco to be named WCC Player of the Year, and the first SCU player since Jeff Stewart in 2001 to take home the yearly award. San Francisco’s Rob Valentino became the first Don to ever earn WCC Defensive Player of the Year honors after leading USF to its second straight conference title, while Saint Mary’s scoring sensation Michael Clegg received WCC Freshman of the Year recognition after finishing second in the league with 11 goals in his rookie campaign. Clegg is the second Gael in the last three seasons to be named as the conference’s top freshman, following teammate Matt Fitzgerald who took home the honor in 2003.

For the first time since WCC conference play began in 1988, the league had two coaches share Coach of the Year honors. San Francisco’s Erik Visser was tabbed for Coach of the Year recognition for the second straight season, while Gonzaga’s Einar Thorarinsson was honored as the Coach of the Year for the third time after receiving back-to-back awards in 1996 and 1997.

It’s the second straight year on the all-conference first team for Robles, after garnering honorable mention honors as a freshman. Robles posted shutouts in five of Portland’s six wins this season. His 1.07 goals-against average was third best in the WCC. He also recorded 75 saves this fall.

This marks the first conference honor for Babcock who finished the season with one goal and three assists. His goal was the game-winner in a 1-0 win against then-No. 26 Washington on Nov. 4. He also assisted on both Pilot goals in a 2-1 win against then-No. 21 San Francisco on Oct. 16.

Guante earned second team all-conference honors all four years on The Bluff. After spending his first two years at UP as a defender, Guante switched to attacking midfielder and wrapped up his career with six goals and nine assists.