Charles Named Daktronics West Region Player of the Year

BILLINGS, Mont. – Continuing to rack up the postseason honors, Montana State Billings senior men’s soccer standout, Sam Charles, added Daktronics West Region Player of the Year honors to his accolades. 

“Sam had lots of natural ability when I started recruiting him in the fall of 2005, but over the last four years he has worked very hard and has made tremendous improvements,” head coach Dan McNally said.  “I think he has everything you need in a forward.  He has speed, strength, excellent technique and natural goal scoring instincts.” 

He joins Xan Nixon of Saint Martin’s and Kellan Brown of Western Washington as the only three players named to the first team.  This is the third straight year Charles has been named first team all-region.

Charles, a native of Chiswell, England, broke just about every school record at MSUB during his career and a number of Great Northwest Athletic Conference records as well.  He broke the GNAC record for most goals in a season with 24, as well as a conference record of nine consecutive matches with at least one goal and 15 consecutive matches with at least a point, helping MSUB to an 11-5-2 record.  It was the Yellowjackets’ second best finish in school history.

Charles also was named GNAC Player of the Year for the second time in his career and was a three-time GNAC first team all-conference selection.  For his career, he scored 69 goals, 18 assists and 156 points – all school records.  In addition, he is a two-time MSUB Male Student-Athlete of the Year.

“I am really honored to win this award,” Charles said.  “I want to thank my teammates as without them this wouldn’t be possible.  Also, I want to thank my coach for everything he has done for me over my career.  Hopefully I can move on and play at the next level.”

Not only did Charles excel on the field, but in the classroom, too.  He carries a 3.6 grade point average in health and human performance and will finish up his class work in December.  He was a first team CoSIDA/ESPN The Magazine Academic All-Region selection each of the past two seasons and was selected Second Team Academic All-America both years.  Charles also was named GNAC Male Scholar Athlete of the Year for the 2008-09 year.

Charles is the only GNAC player to be named Daktronics All-America in back-to-back seasons.  In 2008 he was a third team selection and last year he was honorable mention.  Charles now will move on to the All-America ballot, as the All-America team is expected to be announced in early December.
“Sam has had a great career at MSUB,” McNally added.  “He has helped to make men’s soccer relevant at MSUB but also in Montana in general.  I’ve really enjoyed coaching Sam and I hope he gets the opportunity to display his ability at the next level.”

DAKTRONICS NCAA DIVISION II WEST REGION MEN'S SOCCER
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PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Sam Charles, Montana State Billings

FIRST TEAM
Goalkeeper: Brook Johnson, Sonoma State
Forward: Sam Charles, Montana State Billings
Forward: Victor Regalado, Cal State Stanislaus
Forward: Kyle Ciliento, Grand Canyon
Forward: Federico Cino, Cal State L.A.
Midfielder: Andrew Marinez, CSU Dominguez Hills
Midfielder: Aza Gomez, Cal State L.A.
Midfielder: Kellan Brown, Western Washington
Midfielder: Xan Nixon, Saint Martin's
Defender: Kevin Gallaugher, CSU Dominguez Hills
Defender: Mickey Daly, Cal State L.A.
Defender: Ryan Hall, Sonoma State
Defender: Stuart Gallant, Sonoma State

SECOND TEAM
Goalkeeper: Markus Dickerson, CSU Dominguez Hills
Forward: Albert Cabrera, CSU San Bernardino
Forward: Cristobal Montes, Notre Dame de Namur
Forward: Evan Armstrong, Chico State
Forward: Jordan Roylance, Dixie State
Midfielder: Cory Taufer, Sonoma State
Midfielder: Oscar Jimenez, Western Washington
Midfielder: Arturo Gomez, Notre Dame de Namur
Midfielder: Scott Mariano, CSU Dominguez Hills
Defender: Elliot Morton, Seattle Pacific
Defender: Marco Pulido, CSU Dominguez Hills
Defender: Simon Volk, Cal State L.A.
Defender: Chris Brundage, Western Washington