Ben Terpening is UWP's first all-region pick since Mike Schweinert in 2001

Posted 12/19/07

Four UW-Platteville soccer players earned post-season honors, including two-time honoree Ben Terpening.

Terpening earned second-team NCAA Division III North Central Region honors by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America and second team all-Wisconsin accolades. B.J. Gottschlich, Tyler Holle and Devin Wallace were honorable mention all-state selections as well.

The all-state team is comprised of all NCAA III schools in Wisconsin. The North Central Region consists of schools in Wisconsin and Illinois.

Terpening is the first Pioneer since Mike Schweinert in 2001 to earn all-region honors. The junior from Waunakee had 11 goals and ranked 26th in NCAA Division III with 10 assists. He already ranks in the top 10 career-wise in Pioneer history for goals, assists and total points with another season to play.

"These awards are a just reward for what these student-athletes accomplished on the field this year," first-year Pioneer Coach Enzo Fuschino said. "Ben led the team in assists and points, and was a thorn in every team's defense with his sudden accelerations."

Gottschlich (Fr., Germantown) led UWP with 12 goals and finished second to Terpening with 30 total points. Three of his goals were game-winners.

"BJ led the team in goals and finished off many of Terpening's inviting services," Fuschino said. "He and Ben complemented each other perfectly, providing speed and creativity in the attack."

Holle (So., Bettendorf, Iowa) scored seven goals and eight assists and led UWP with four game-winning scores.

"Tyler started and played every single game for us," the coach said. "He anchored our midfield, and was a relentless vocal leader. He provided stability and balance in the middle of the filed, and was a strong contributor offensively as well by scoring four game-winners."

Wallace (Sr., Milwaukee, WI/Whitefish Bay) anchored the defense that gave up just 25 goals in 19 games. The Pioneers outscored teams 61-25.

"He has been a strong pillar of the Pioneer defense for the last four years," Fuschino said. "It is going to be a real challenge to replace him. I will miss him and I will miss his runs down the right flank, and his unconventional but effective way to run with the ball."

The Pioneers finished 12-6-1 and also completed the first undefeated home record in school history, going 6-0 at Ralph E. Davis Pioneer Stadium. UWP returns three of the four 2007 honorees next season and lost just four seniors from this year's standout team.

"I am very excited to have these three athletes back next year and further," Fuschino said. "They will provide a strong leadership for the newcomers. But I am definitely sorry to see Devin go."