November 28, 2007

Sam Charles Makes Men’s Soccer History

BILLINGS, Mont. – Montana State Billings men’s soccer player Sam Charles made Yellowjacket history Wednesday as he was named to the Daktronics NCAA Division II All-America Third Team.  This marks the first time ever in the program’s 12-year history that a men’s soccer player has achieved this honor.

Sports information directors from NCAA D-II schools and conferences sponsoring men’s soccer from around the country selected the Daktronics All-America teams.

Charles, a sophomore forward from Weymouth, England was a standout player for the Yellowjackets in 2007.  Named the GNAC Player of the Year, Charles finished the season scoring a conference-leading seven game-winning goals and his 41 points ranked him second in conference history for total points in a single season.  Scoring 19 goals, Charles also holds the conference record for goals scored in a single season.   

Charles ranks first in the Yellowjacket record books for goals scored in a single season (19), total points in a single season (41), and for consecutive games with at least one goal scored (8).  His 26 career goals in just two seasons rank him second in school history for career goals scored, while he currently ranks first in school history for career points per game (1.67) and for career goals per game (0.76), while ranking third for career points (57).

Charles was joined by fellow conference member Dustin Allbery.  Allbery, a senior defender from Seattle University was named to the All-America Honorable Mention team.  The National Player of the Year was Leandro Pereira of Lincoln Memorial.

Daktronics, with its headquarters in Brookings, S.D., is an acknowledged world leader in timing and programmable display systems for virtually every sport at every level of competition.

Click HERE for the complete Daktronics All-America release.