Elon MSOC: Matthews, Willbye Garner All-State Accolades

ELON, N.C. – Junior Luke Matthews and senior Jack Willbye were named to the North Carolina Collegiate Sports Information Association (NCCSIA) 2018 University Division All-State Men’s Soccer Teams as announced by the association on Monday, Nov. 19. Matthews was tabbed first team selection while Willbye garnered a spot on the second team.

This was the second career All-State accolade for Matthews, who was a second team pick in 2017. A native of Swindon, England, Matthews earned All-CAA honors for the third time in his career this season from his center back position. He also contributed on the offensive end with a goal and an assist. He scored the game-winning goal in the Phoenix’s 2-1 victory at High Point on Sept 8.

Willbye, a product of Cambridge, England, earned his first All-State team selection and was also an All-CAA choice this year with his spot on the league’s third team. The senior midfielder was second on the team in total points with five and led the Phoenix in assists with three. He also started all 15 games and scored the game-winning goal to help Elon to a 1-0 victory at No. 25 and CAA-leader James Madison on Oct. 27.

Nominations were submitted by North Carolina sports information professionals and voted on by NCCSIA members.

Founded in 2002, the North Carolina Collegiate Sports Information Association (NCCSIA) is comprised of sports information professionals from NCAA Division I, II, III, NAIA and independent institutions from the state of North Carolina. The purpose of the organization is to promote collegiate athletics at all schools. Membership is open to anyone affiliated with a college, university or conference located in North Carolina, and whose area of responsibility lies within sports information.

NCCSIA selects all-state teams in the University (Division I) and College (Division II, III, NAIA) divisions for men’s and women’s basketball, men’s and women’s soccer, women’s volleyball, softball and baseball.