SPRINGFIELD, Mass. - Western New England College goalkeeper Kyle Bak (Cumberland, RI) and defender Marco Gomes (Ludlow, MA) have been selected to participate in the 2010 New England Intercollegiate Soccer League (NEISL) Senior All-Star Game.
The match will be played on Saturday (May 1) starting at 2:00 p.m. at Clark University's Granger Field in Worcester, Massachusetts.
Bak, a Sport Management major, compiled a 15-4-4 record with 12 shutouts in 2009. He was third nationally in save percentage (.908) and seventh in goals-against-average (0.48). During his career, Bak posted a 25-7-8 record with 18 shutouts and a 0.62 goals-against-average.
Last fall Bak was named to The Commonwealth Coast Conference (TCCC) All-Star First-Team, ECAC Division III New England All-Star Second-Team, and the NSCAA Division III All-New England West Second Team. He also became the first player in Golden Bear's soccer history program to participate in the prestigious USL Soccer Showcase, a professional scouting combine.
Gomes, a General Business major, was a three-year starter and two-year captain for the Golden Bears. Along with Bak, Gomes anchored the Golden Bears' defense that compiled a school record 16 shutouts this past season.
Gomes' steady play and durability have been a key to the program's success over the past few seasons. He started and played in every match for Western New England College from 2007-2009, an astonishing 71 consecutive matches. He is a three-time All-TCCC performer earning First-Team honors in 2009.
"I am extremely proud and thankful of Kyle and Marco for all of their efforts on and off the field," said WNEC coach Erin Sullivan."They represent the very best of what our program strives to develop, highly competitive scholar-athletes with excellent intangibles. Their warrior mentality, leadership, and composure will be sorely missed."
Western New England College posted a 16-5-4 record and captured the conference tournament title for the third straight year in 2009.
The Golden Bears participated in their sixth consecutive NCAA Division III Championship defeating Babson (1-0) in an opening round match and tying Wesleyan (1-1 in double overtime) before the host Cardinals advanced on penalty kicks, 5-4.
Directions to Clark University are available at: http://www.clarku.edu/athletics/directions_facilities.cfm#dolan
Former Western New England College players who have played in the NEISL Senior All-Star Game.
2004 - Jay Martyn '05
2005 - Scott Meikle '06, Paul Russo '06
2006 - Kofi Oteng '07, Tim Larocca '07
2007 - Steve Hennessey '08
2008 - Dan Hare '09, Jim Maples '10, Dale Totman '09