Landmark Men's Soccer Earns All-Region Nods

MADISON, N.J. - Six members of Landmark Conference men's soccer teams have earned spots on the 2007 National Soccer Coaches Association of America All-Region Teams. The conference had one first-team honoree, two second-team selections and two third-team choices.

United States Merchant Marine Academic senior Chris Nitta was the first-team selection as he found a spot on the Metro-Region first-team. His junior teammate Chris Flanagan was a second-team choice from the Metro Region. Susquehanna University junior Isaac Laubach was named to the second-team from the Mid-Atlantic Region. Drew University junior Dan Bonder, University of Scranton senior Tim Logan and Susquehanna freshman Rhyan Nelson were all third-team picks from the Mid-Atlantic Region.

Nitta capped a stellar career by being named the Landmark Conference Defensive Player of the Year and to the All-Landmark First Team. He was also a four-time Landmark Conference Defensive Player of the Week. He started all 17 games for the Mariners at sweeper and anchored a defense which posted seven shut outs in the 17 games and allowed 1.19 goals per game.

Flanagan was also named to the All-Landmark First Team as a forward and was named the Landmark Conference Offensive Player of the Week on one occasion. He appeared in all 17 games for USMMA, making 16 starts. Flanagan finished the season with six goals and four assists for a total of 16 points. Four of his six goals were game winners, including one in overtime, one in double overtime and another with 32 seconds left in regulation.

Laubach anchored a Susquehanna defense that allowed the fewest goals of any Landmark Conference team, and was third in the conference in shutouts. He was a first-team All-Landmark selection this season as he helped the Crusaders post a goals against average of 0.96. He also contributed two goals and an assist on the year.

Bonder was the defensive anchor for Drew and helped the Rangers claim the innaugural Landmark Conference Championship and advance to the finals of the ECAC Metro Tournament. Bonder helped Drew lead the conference with 12 shutouts and a 0.87 goals against average. He was a first-team All-Conference selection.

Logan was also a first-team All-Conference choice and was also named the Landmark Offensive Player of the Year. He was tied for third in the conference with eight goals and his 17 points ranked fourth-best in the Landmark. Four of his eight scores were game-winning tallies, a mark that tied him for the conference lead.

Nelson was one of just four freshmen to earn a spot on the Mid-Atlantic All-Region Team after a strong first season. He was the only freshman to earn first-team All-Landmark recognition as he scored six goals and added three assists in his first year. Nelson ranked in the top-10 in the conference in goals and points.

The Landmark Conference sent one team into postseason play in 2007 as Drew earned a spot in the ECAC Division III Metro Tournament after claiming the Landmark Championship. The Rangers reached the finals of the tournament before falling by a goal.