Julian Cardona Named To Men’s Soccer All-Freshman Team

Butler forward Julian Cardona has been named to the 2009 All-Freshman Team, chosen by College Soccer News.  The first-year Butler player was picked to the third team of the honor squad recognizing the nation’s top freshman performers.

Cardona, the Horizon League Newcomer of the Year, was Butler’s second-leading scorer in 2009 with six goals and three assists.  He led the Horizon League in game-winning goals (4), and he finished sixth in the league in scoring (15 points).  The former Shattuck-St. Mary’s High School player saw action in all 19 Butler matches last fall, including 11 as a starter.

Butler was the lone Horizon League squad to have a player named to the College Soccer News All-Freshman Team.  Dillon Powers of Notre Dame, who earned second team recognition, was the only other player from Indiana recognized on the All-Freshman Team.

The Bulldogs completed a banner season with a 14-3-2 record, a regular season league championship and a trip to the NCAA Tournament.  The 14 wins tied the third-highest season total in school history.  Butler cracked the “Top 25” during the season, climbing as high as No. 17, and the Bulldogs advanced the championship game of the Horizon League Tournament, where they wound up with a 0-0 tie against Green Bay.

Butler coach Kelly Findley was named the 2009 Horizon League Coach of the Year and sophomore Matt Hedges was chosen 2009 Horizon League Defensive Player of the Year.  Senior Boris Gatzky and Kyle VondenBenken joined Hedges on the All-League first team, while juniors Fabian Knopfler and Conner Burt were picked second team.  Freshmen Jared Isenthal and Tyler Pollock joined Cardona on the league’s All-Newcomer Team.

BULLDOG BITS:  Butler had three players named to the 2009 NCAA Division I All-Great Lakes Region Team.  Sophomore Matt Hedges and senior Kyle VondenBenken each were picked second team All-Region, while senior Boris Gatzky was named third team.  National runner-up Akron led the All-Region Team with six players selected, while Butler, Notre Dame, Penn State, Louisville, Northwestern and Green Bay each had three players recognized.