UCSB sophomore forward Sam Garza was named to TopDrawerSoccer.com’s Third Team of the Season. He was one of 11 Division I forwards honored.
Garza, a transfer from Denver, scored nine goals and added six assists for 24 points. He is the first underclassman to lead UCSB in goals in a season since Jaime Ambriz tied for the team-lead (8) as a sophomore in 1999 and is the first underclassman to lead the team in points since Danny Mann did in 1995 with 22.
The forward, who was selected as the Big West Co-Offensive Player of the Year, was a force to be reckoned with during conference play, scoring five times and adding two assists for 12 points in nine games.
He found his way into the UCSB record book, becoming the 24th Gaucho to record a hat trick and ranking seventh all-time for shots in a season (77).
UCSB ended the season with its ninth consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance. The Gauchos advanced to the tournament’s second round before falling, 2-1, to Cal. UCSB finished the year with a 14-5-3 overall record and won the Big West Championship title.
UCSB will host the 2010 NCAA Men’s College Cup, which will take place Dec. 10 and 12 at Meredith Field at Harder Stadium.
