Carter Ocko Named Men's Soccer Program's First-Ever NSCAA All-American Honoree

NSCAA NCAA DIVISION III MEN'S SOCCER 2015 ALL-AMERICA TEAMS

ENDICOTT ATHLETIC ALL-AMERICA HISTORY

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Endicott men's soccer sophomore back Carter Ocko (Danvers, Mass.)  became the first student-athlete in program history to receive National Soccer Coaches Association (NSCAA) Division III Third Team All-America honors Thursday as the 2015 DIII All-American teams were announced.

The honor was bestowed upon Ocko on the same day that he received National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Division III All-New England Region First Team honors.

In his second season for the Gulls, Ocko earned the Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) Co-Defensive Player of the Year award, in addition to being placed on the All-CCC First Team.

Ocko, a criminal justice major, is the first student-athlete from the Endicott men's soccer team to be named an NSCAA All-American, as he joins 61 fellow Gulls from baseball, field hockey, football, men's golf, men's lacrosse, men's volleyball and softball to earn this distinction all-time.

In 17 matches this season, Ocko anchored a Gulls' defense that finished first in CCC in goals against average (0.62), and shutouts (13). The sophomore back also recorded two assists and helped Endicott in ranking No. 18 among all NCAA Division III soccer programs in team goals against average (GAA), and No. 20 in shutout percentage (0.57).

From September 12 to October 5, the Gulls posted a string of eight straight shutouts – due in large part to Ocko's play – and did not allow a goal for 822:19 consecutive minutes. The 822:19 shutout span dates back to the final 15:43 of the Gulls contest against Tufts University, who was ranked No. 1 in Division III at the time, and up until the 86:37 mark of their matchup against Curry on October 10.

Gordon College placed junior midfielder Caleb Cole (Coatesville, Pa.) on the NSCAA Athletic All-American First Team and Ocko's Third Team selection rounded out the representatives of the conference.

The Gulls (16-3-4) finished as the runners-up in both the CCC Championship and the Eastern College Athletic Association (ECAC) Division III New England Championship to complete the best season in program history.

In 2015, Endicott established program records in wins (16), points (120), points per game (5.22), goals (43), goals per game (1.87), game-winning goals (16), assists (34), assists per game (1.48), shots on goal (156), save percentage (.870), GAA (0.62), and shutouts (13). 

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