Dec. 14, 2007

AMHERST, Mass. - UMass men's soccer goalkeeper Zack Simmons was named to the NSCAA/adidas Mid-Atlantic Region First Team, while centerback Kenny Cook earned Second-Team honors as announced on Thursday. This is Simmons' first-time on the all-region team and the second for Cook (also second team). The Minutemen will face Ohio State in the NCAA Tournament Semifinal at 7 PM on Friday night.

Simmons has had a historical season for UMass setting school records for career wins (32), career shutouts (23), and is on pace for the single-season goals against average (currently 0.78). Earlier this year, he was named the Atlantic 10 Tournament MVP and earned spots on the A-10 All-Tournament Team, the A-10 All-Conference First-Team, was named the A-10 Men's Soccer Student-Athlete of the Year, and earned ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District Second-Team honors.

Cook will start his 65th consecutive game on Friday night as part of one of the nation's top defensive units. The senior was also named to the A-10 All-Tournament Team and the A-10 All-Conference Second-Team. He also earned NSCAA/adidas all-region honors in 2006 when he was named to the second team as well.

The duo also join UMass assistant coach Jon Davy in earning regional honors. Last week, Davy was named the NSCAA East Region Assistant Coach of the Year and is in the running for the Glenn "Mooch" Myernick National Assistant Coach of the Year Award which will be presented in January.