Seven Earn All-Region Honors

KANSAS CITY, Kans. --- Roanoke College defender Michael Stark and Lynchburg College center back Hunter Smith highlight the ODAC's contingent in the 2010 NSCAA/Performance Subaru postseason awards as the pair were named All-Americans on Sunday.  Seven conference student-athletes were named to the South Atlantic All-Region Teams, including a trio on the first team.

For Stark, 2010 marks his third consecutive All-America honor and his second straight appointment to the second team.  Smith was tabbed to the All-America third team in his first appearance on the nation's top player lists.  The pair also earned spots on the all-region first team.  They were joined by Guilford College forward Freddy Gomez.

The ODAC was represented by a pair of honorees on both the all-region second and third teams.  Hornets' striker Michael Abbonizio and Maroons' defender Cameron Lee were slotted for the second team.  LC keeper Michael Releford and fellow Hornet, defender Zach Ward, garnered third team honors.

Stark, a senior from Newport News, Va., anchored a defense that allowed just 10 goals in 19 games and finished the year ranked among the best in the nation in goals-against-average and shutout percentage. The two-year captain is an all-region and a First-Team All-ODAC selection for the third-consecutive season. He led the Maroons in scoring this season with 16 points and in goals with six, all of which counted as game-winners.

Smith, a senior from Goode, Va., was named the 2010 ODAC Player of the Year in a vote of the league's coaches last month.  He earned a spot on the all-region first team after taking home second-team honors last year. Smith started all 26 games and scored twice with one assist from his backfield position. He anchored an LC defense that allowed just 19 goals in 26 contests this season.

Gomez, a sophomore from Burlington, N.C., is the first Quaker to earn all-region status since 2006 and the program's first first-team choice since 2004.  Gomez started in 17 of 18 games and led the Quakers with 21 points on eight goals and five assists, all team highs. The First Team All-ODAC selection ranked second among league leaders with 1.17 points per game. His 21 points, eight goals, five assists and 0.28 assists per game all stood third in the league.

Both Releford and Ward added to a Hornets' defense that helped lead the way to the NCAA Division III Championship Game.  Releford, a freshman from Blacksburg, Va., was tabbed to the All-ODAC First Team after posting a 0.64 GAA, allowing just 13 goals in 22 games played.  Ward, a senior from Haymarket, Va., started all 26 games and tallied two goals and three assists.  Abbonizio, a senior from Maple Glen, Pa., led the team with eight goals and added four assists. Abbonizio scored the Hornets' goal in the NCAA title game.

Lee, a senior from Roanoke, Va., led a Maroons' backfield that tied the school-record with 14 shutouts. Lee finished his final year with a goal and an assist while posting a career-best 11 shots.  He was a three-time All-ODAC selection, earning back-to-back first-team accolades. 

For a look at the full 2010 NSCAA/Performance Subaru All-Region Teams, click HERE.  To view the complete 2010 NSCAA/Performance Subaru All-America Teams, click HERE.  For more information on ODAC soccer, visit the websites of any of the participating schools, or go to the ODAC's home on the Internet at www.odaconline.com.