-----NKU’s Andy Bacon (right)

By Mike Anderson, NKU Sports Information

HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. - Four Northern Kentucky University standouts have been honored by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America as a part of the Division II All-Great Lakes Region team.

NKU men’s soccer players Tony Capurro, Andy Bacon and Braden Bishop were each named first team, while Andy Ortman was picked to the third team. Capurro, a junior midfielder from Moeller High School in Cincinnati, earned his second straight All-Region selection from the NSCAA.

Capurro scored five goals and 14 points while scoring on 23.8 percent of his shots, ranking him third on the team in each category. He played a key role throughout the season, linking the defense and the offense and was a vocal leader on the field. Capurro also earned second team All-Great Lakes Valley Conference honors.

Bacon earned his first NSCAA All-Region honor. The Middletown, Ohio, native was a leader on the Norse defense, marking the best forwards in the GLVC. The junior was a part of a defense that allowed just 13 goals in 22 games en route to an NCAA II Great Lakes Region championship. Bacon, a Lakota East graduate, scored one goal on the season and was named to the All-GLVC second team.

-----NKU’s Tony Capurro

Bishop was one of the most prolific scorers in the GLVC during his freshman campaign. His team-leading 12 goals and 27 points each ranked third in the GLVC. Of Bishop's 12 goals, five won games for the Norse. The native of Centerville, Ohio, was also named the GLVC Freshman of the Year as well as All-GLVC first team and Daktronics All-Region first team.

In addition, Bishop was featured in Sports Illustrated’s “Faces in the Crowd” section in November.

Ortman, a junior goalie from Cincinnati, led the GLVC with a 0.54 goals against average and 12 shutouts. Ortman's solid work defensively helped lead the Norse to an unprecedented 14-game unbeaten streak. Ortman, a graduate of Roger Bacon High School, was also named to the Daktronics All-Region first team.

NKU finished with a 16-3-3 record this fall. The 16 victories tied the school record, and this marked the first time in history the program earned a berth in the NCAA Tournament.