Jackets Place Three on HCAC All-Conference Teams

GREENWOOD, Ind. – The Defiance College men's soccer team had three of its players honored on Thursday by being selected to the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference All-Conference teams. Senior defender Kevin Elson received First-Team All-HCAC honors, while senior midfielder Joe Loftis and sophomore goalkeeper Sean Roberts were voted Second-Team All-HCAC.  [All-HCAC Teams]

Elson was recognized as one of the top four defenders in the HCAC, as he was voted onto the first-team by the conference head coaches. This marks the second time in Elson's four year career that he has received HCAC All-Conference honors. Elson was one of DC's captains throughout the 2011 campaign and was the anchor in the middle of the Jackets' defense. Elson also added a goal and an assist totaling three points on the season.

This is the third consecutive year that Loftis has been honored by the HCAC. Like Elson, the senior midfielder was also a captain for this season's team. Loftis was an attacking midfielder in the Yellow Jackets' attack and controlled the middle of the pitch. Loftis ended the season as the leading goal scorer for DC and tied for most assists, totaling six goals and two assists.

Roberts was voted as one of the three best goalkeepers in the conference. Along with being honored for his play, Roberts was also recognized for his sportsmanship on the field. The conference coaches voted Roberts onto the HCAC All-Sportsmanship Team for the way he represented himself and Defiance on the pitch. The sophomore keeper had many impressive, acrobatic saves over the course of the season. Roberts recorded 101 saves and posted three shutouts.

The trio of All-Conference players helped the Jackets to a HCAC record of 3-4-2 and an overall record of 5-10-3, narrowly missing the HCAC playoffs.