Thursday, June 3, 2021

AUSTIN, Texas – Excelling on the field and in the classroom during a COVID-shifted season, four GNAC men’s soccer players were named to the 2020-21 College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) Academic All-District 8 Team.

The conference is led by Northwest Nazarene, which landed a trio of players on the team in sophomore goalkeeper Sawyer Price, senior defender Danny Cuevas and junior defender Lorenzo Valentini. Joining the three Nighthawks and representing Seattle Pacific is senior midfielder Travis Swallow.

Price leads the All-District 8 Team with a perfect 4.00 GPA as a recreation and sport management major. He played in all seven of the Nighthawks’ matches, finishing the season with a 4-2-1 record, a 1.32 goals against average and two shutouts while ranking second among conference goalies with 21 saves.

Cuevas owns a 3.59 GPA as a pre-physical therapy major while Valentini posts a 3.95 GPA as a recreation and sport management major. Valentini is among six selections to the All-District 8 Team with a 3.80 or higher.

Cuevas and Valentini helped to anchor a Nighthawk defense that allowed 1.71 goals per game and posted a 1.64 goals against average. The Nighthawks had two shutouts on the season at Saint Martin’s on March 6 and against the Saints at home on April 10. Valentini was also tied for the team lead with three goals.

Swallow has a 3.94 GPA as a business administration major. He totaled two goals, one assist, five points and six shots on the season. Swallow's five points were second on the team and tied for sixth among conference players.

The GNAC competed with the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) and Pacific West conferences for selections to the Academic All-District 8 Team. The PacWest led the way with seven selections to the 15-player team while the GNAC and CCAA had four honorees apiece.

The Academic All-District teams are nominated and voted upon by members of CoSIDA and recognize student-athletes of sophomore standing or higher who are starters or significant reserves for their teams with a minimum GPA of 3.30 or better. The players selected will be put up for consideration for the Academic All-America Team.