Ben Sippola, Matt Hedges Named All-America

INDIANAPOLIS, IND. -- Butler men’s soccer standouts Ben Sippola and Matt Hedges have been named to the 2010 National Soccer Coaches Association of America All-America Team.  Sippola was chosen to the first team, while Hedges was tabbed second team.

Sippola, named the 2010 Horizon League Player of the Year, became the first player in Butler men’s soccer history to be named first team on the NSCAA All-America squad, and the two Butler players became the Bulldogs’ first All-Americans since 1998.  Butler’s two previous All-Americans were Jeremy Aldrich in 1998 and Steve Weiger in 1995, both second team.

Hedges, the two-time Horizon League Defensive Player of the Year, became Butler’s first underclassman to earn All-America recognition.

Earlier, Sippola and Hedges both were named third team on the Soccer News All-America.  The two Butler players helped lead Butler to a 16-1-3 season, regular season and tournament championships in the Horizon League and a berth in the NCAA Tournament.

The All-America team will be honored during the NSCAA Convention in Baltimore, Md., on Jan. 15, during the All-America Luncheon.