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By Mike Anderson, NKU Sports Information MISSION, Kan. - For the second consecutive year, Northern Kentucky University men's soccer coach John Basalyga has been named the Great Lakes Region Coach of the Year by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America. Basalyga led the Norse to a best-ever 22-2 overall record, the first 13-0 record in Great Lakes Valley Conference play, and the program's second NCAA Great Lakes Region championship in as many seasons. The Norse vaulted to a best ever 19-0 start on the way to the first No. 1 ranking in program history in early October. NKU maintained the nation's top spot until the final ranking of the season, when the team finished a program-best No. 5. The success was predicated on the team's tenacious defense, allowing just 12 goals all season, a school record. NKU's 0.49 goals against average and .917 winning percentage led the nation in 2007. NKU also boasted four All-Americans in 2007, as Braden Bishop, Dan Impellizzeri, Tony Capurro and Andy Bacon were each honored as the nation's best players. In 2006, NKU reached the national quarterfinal in its first-ever NCAA tournament appearance, defeating Wisconsin-Parkside in the semifinals before shocking Southern Illinois at Edwardsville, 3-2, to take the Great Lakes Region championship. In five years at the helm, Basalyga has totaled a record of 65-28-10. His .680 winning percentage places him among the top 20 active coaches in Division II. |
