San Bruno, CA-Eight first time First Team honorees highlight the 2003 WCC Men’s Soccer All-Conference team. Portland’s Alejandro Salazar was selected as the WCC Player of the Year, becoming just the third Pilot to earn the honor. Salazar, who was named the WCC Freshman of the Year in 2002, becomes just the fourth player in conference history to have claimed both Freshman of the Year and Player of the Year honors.

Saint Mary’s freshman Matt Fitzgerald was named the conference’s Freshman of the Year after scoring three goals and collecting two assists in conference play. Fitzgerald is the first Gael to win the honor since Nick Marcum in 1998. San Diego’s Scott Burcar was tabbed as the conference’s Defensive Player of the Year for the second straight season after leading a Torero defense that posted two shutouts in WCC play. Santa Clara head coach Cameron Rast took home WCC Coach of the Year honors in just his second year at the helm. Rast is the first men’s soccer Coach of the Year to have also won an individual conference honor as a player. Rast earned WCC Defensive Player of the Year honors in 1989 and 1991.

All eight teams were represented on the all-conference First and Second Teams, with five honorees coming from San Diego. Portland and Santa Clara each placed four players on the First and Second Teams, while Loyola Marymount and San Francisco players earned three spots each. Matt Fitzgerald and defender David Vedder represent Saint Mary’s on the First Team, marking the first time since 1991 that two Gaels have captured First Team recognition. Salazar, Burcar, and Santa Clara defender Ryan Cochrane each earned First Team honors for the second straight season.

Portland rounded out all-WCC honors with four honorable mention selections. Erik Cronkrite, Paul Robinson, Luis Robles and Josh Simpson made it eight Pilots to garner all-WCC awards.