DENVER University of Denver freshman forward Sam Garza (Highland Village, Texas) was named a 2008 Third Team All Freshman by College Soccer News.

“It is great that Sam has been recognized as one of the top freshman in the country,” Denver head coach Bobby Muuss said. “Sam and the rest of the freshman class had a great impact this season in leading the University of Denver to a conference championship and NCAA Tournament berth.”

The announcement came a week after Garza was invited to attend an eight-day training camp with the U.S. Under-20 Men’s National Team in Sunrise, Fla., from Dec. 15 through today. Garza scored the game-winning goal in today’s contest against Canada in the final day of the camp.

Garza was named Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Newcomer of the Year after helping Denver win its first-ever MPSF championship and first trip to the NCAA Tournament since 1970. Garza played in all 19 of DU’s games as a freshman this season, starting 14 times. The forward’s four goals and four assists were both tied for second on the Pioneers, and his 12 points were third. Three of Garza’s assists came in games in which he also scored a goal, including a two-goal, one-assist effort in a 3-3 tie with San Jose State on Oct. 31. A highly-touted recruit out of high school last year, Garza was named the 2007-08 Gatorade Texas Boys’ Soccer Player of the Year.