Three Missouri Valley College Players Named To The 2014 NAIA Men’s Soccer All-America Team

Marshall, Mo. (December 8, 2014)- Three members of the No. 9 Missouri Valley College men’s soccer team have been named to the 2014 NAIA Men’s Soccer All-America Team announced Monday.  The three selections are the most for the men’s program in one year.

Leading the selections was Junior Midfielder Raul Beneit (Cadiz, Spain) who was picked as a first team member of the All-America team.  Beneit finished the 2014 season leading the team in assists with 10, was fourth on the team with six goals and was second on the team with 20 total points.  Beneit also led the team with 56 total shots during the season.  In addition to his All-America selection, Beneit was named the 2014 Heart of America Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the year and the overall Player of the Year.  Beneit becomes just the second Viking to ever earn a first team All-American selection, joining Miguel Jimenez who was selected following both the 2012 and 2013 seasons.

Senior Midfielder Ivan Ninkov (Pancevo, Serbia) was selected to the All-America second team for his play during the 2014 season.  Ninkov finished with two goals and three assists  during the year and was also named to the HAAC all-conference first team.  Two other Vikings have earned second team all-America consideration in the past, including Eduardo Da Silva in 2011 and Nicholas Alexander in 2013.

Also receiving All-America consideration was Senior Defender Bernardo Ferriz Diaz (Cadiz, Spain), who was listed as an honorable mention.  Diaz finished the 2014 season with three goals and three assists and was also a first team all-conference selection in the HAAC.

“I am very proud and happy that all three are receiving this type of National recognition for their play this season,” said Men’s Soccer Head Coach Vladimir Simic.  “All three of them have helped this team grow over the years and helped us with all our success this season.”

The Viking men’s soccer team finished 15-4-1 overall on the season which included a regular season HAAC championship and a fifth-straight appearance in the NAIA Men’s Soccer National Championship.  The Vikings won their first round match over Judson (Ill.) University, but lost in the National second round to the University of Northwestern Ohio on penalty kicks.

For the entire 2014 NAIA Men’s Soccer All-American Team, go to www.naia.org.

(Courtesy of Missouri Valley College Athletic Department)