KANSAS CITY, Mo. – University of Denver men's soccer captains
Andre Shinyashiki (Sao Paulo, Brazil) and
Scott DeVoss (Centennial, Colo.) have been named to the United Soccer Coaches' All-West Region First Team, USC announced on Wednesday. Shinyashiki and DeVoss were joined by sophomore holding midfielder
Jacob Stensson (Stockholm, Sweden) on the second team and senior winger
Kenny Akamatsu (Niigata, Japan), who earned third team honors.
Shinyashiki enters the College Cup weekend first in the country in points per game (2.86), first in total points (60), first in goals per game (1.33), first in total goals (28), first in game-winning goals (11), second in shots per game (4.71) and first in shots on goal per game (2.86). Earlier this season, Shinyashiki became Denver's record holder in single-season points (60), goals (28) and game-winning goals (11), while setting Denver's career records in points (117), goals (51) and game-winning goals (18). The Sao Paulo, Brazil, native's goal total in 2018 eclipsed Denver's previous career record goal tally of 27. Shinyashiki was a two-time United Soccer Coaches National Player of the Week in 2018.
DeVoss captained a back four that ranks 19
th in team goals against average (0.725) and 11
th in shutout percentage (0.524). The two-time Summit League Defensive Player of the Year led a Denver defense that led the league in shots on goal allowed during the regular season with 59, including just 16 in league matches. Denver's defense allowed just one shot on goal in two matches en route to lifting the Summit League Tournament trophy for the third time in DeVoss' career in 2018.
Denver's two captains will end their careers tied with former Pioneer captain Sam Hamilton for Denver's record holders in games played with 83.
Akamatsu played and started in 18 games, finishing second on the team in points with 16 on four goals and a team-high eight assists. The Niigata, Japan, native ranks 38
th in the country in assists per game (0.44) and 29
th in total assists (8). Akamatsu's only game-winner of the season lifted silverware for the Pioneers as the Denver senior put the home side up 1-0 against Omaha in the Summit League Final with a first half blast from outside the penalty area.
Denver's senior class entered the NCAA Tournament third in the country in wins (61-11-10) and second in the country in percentage of points earned at 78.5%.
Stensson played most of his matches sitting in-front of the Denver defense, while also earning two starts in the back four. The Denver sophomore is currently 50
th in the country in assists per game (0.4) and 29
th in the country in total assists (8). Stensson shared the team-high in assists with eight with Akamatsu.
TOGETHER 4 COLORADO TOY DRIVE
The Pioneers have partnered with CBS4 for the Together 4 Colorado Toy Drive to support the Denver community during the holiday season. Beginning Nov. 17, there will be toy drops at every Denver Athletics and Newman Center event thru Dec. 19. Additionally, there will be a Community Shop 'n Drop on Saturday, Dec. 15 from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m., hosted by the Denver Cheerleading squad at the circle drive on the north side of the Ritchie Center.
PIONEER MOVEMENT: Fans interested in making a donation to the men's soccer program can do so by clicking here. Your contribution will make a direct impact on the success of YOUR Pioneers. Thank you in advance for your unwavering support of our student-athletes and their quest for excellence.
- Pioneer Together –
Like Denver Pioneers and Denver Men's Soccer on Facebook
Follow @DU_Pioneers and @DU_MSoccer on Twitter
Follow @denverpioneers and @denversoccer on Instagram
