Three men’s soccer players earn 2010 first-team All-MIAA honors

Three Olivet College men's soccer players, sophomore midfielder Matt Garza (Saline), senior defender Matt Manning (Charlotte) and senior forward Mike May (Mason) have earned 2010 All-Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) first-team honors. All-league honors are based on a player's statistics during the 14-game league schedule. The three first-team selections ties for the most in school history for one season.

Under the leadership of second-year Head Coach Chad Wiseman, the Comets finished with a 7-6-1 MIAA record. Overall, Olivet had a 12-7-1 record, and the .625 winning percentage ties for the best in school history.

Garza started 13 games in the midfield for the Comets. He had nine points on four goals and one assists. Three of Garza's goals were game-winners.

"To be a first-team selection the first two years of your collegiate career is something special," Wiseman said. "Matt is a great player whom we have leaned on his short time at Olivet. He stepped up and scored some big game-winning goals for us this year. I believe Matt is not only one of the best midfielders in the MIAA, but also in our region and the country."

Manning was the anchor of the Comets' back line. He scored just one goal for two points. Manning started 77-of-78 career games at Olivet, finishing with four goals and four assists for 12 points.

"Matt was an outstanding leader on the back line this year," Wiseman said. "He was the only player on our team to play every minute of every game. Matt proved that he is one of the best defenders in the MIAA."

May, a four-time All-MIAA performer, was recognized with first-team honors despite playing in just half of the MIAA games due to an injury. In seven games, he scored two goals and three assists for seven points. May ends his four-year career at Olivet, as its all-time leader with 84 points and 22 assists, and second with 31 goals.

"I was happy to see that the injury did not stop Mike from earning first-team honors," said Wiseman. "Without a doubt, he is one of the top goal scorers in the MIAA. Mike has had a tremendous career at Olivet, and I am sure many, if not all of the other league schools are happy to see him graduate."