HIGH POINT, N.C. – The Elon men’s soccer team had four members of its squad selected to the 2012 North Carolina Collegiate Sports Information Association (NCCSIA) University Division All-State Men’s Soccer Team as announced on Tuesday, June 18. Gabe Latigue and Chris Thomas garnered first team honors while Daniel Lovitz and Matt Wescoe were recognized on the second team.
It’s another postseason accolade for Thomas for his achievements during a brilliant 2012 senior campaign. The Snellville, Ga., native led the nation in total goals (23) and points (51) as he shattered the single-season school record in both categories and became Elon’s all-time career leader in goals (53) and points (116). The two-time SoCon Player of the Year and two-time all-league first team pick was named an All-American by both the NSCAA and College Soccer News and was a Hermann Trophy semifinalist this season. He also earned a spot on the All-South Region first team and Top Drawer Soccer’s Team of the Season.
Latigue was second on the squad with six assists and third with five goals in 2012. The Apex, N.C., native had two goals in the SoCon Men’s Soccer Championship tournament, including the game-winner in the title game versus Wofford, and was named the Most Outstanding Player of the tournament. Latigue also scored the lone goal and game-winner against Appalachian State on Oct. 20 and had a season-high two goals against Campbell on Sept. 1. He was selected to the to the Top Drawer Soccer Team of the Week on Nov. 11 and was a second-team All-SoCon selection this season. He also earned a spot on the All-South Region team this season.
Lovitz earned All-South Region accolades for the first time in his career this season. The midfielder from Wyndmoor, Pa., started all 22 games for the Phoenix and scored three goals with two assists and was named to the all-tournament team in the SoCon Men’s Soccer Championship. Lovitz scored two goals against Belmont this year, including a penalty kick, in Elon’s 4-2 win over the Bruins.
Wescoe paced the squad with seven assists on the year and was second on the team in goals scored with six. The Willow Springs, N.C., native was a second team All-Southern Conference selection this season and earned a spot on the all-tournament team at the SoCon Men’s Soccer Championship. The junior midfielder was also recognized for his efforts in the classroom this year and was selected to the Capital One Academic All-District 3 first team and the 2012 NSCAA University Division Scholar All-South Region teams.
NCCSIA Men’s Soccer University Division All-State First Team
GK: Klay Davis, Jr., Charlotte
D: Fejiro Okiomah, Sr., High Point
D: Thomas Allen, Jr., Charlotte
D: Travis Golden, Jr., Campbell
M: Donnie Smith, Sr., Charlotte
M: Shawn Sloan, Sr., High Point
M: Mitchell Cardenas, Sr., Campbell
M: Gabe Latigue, Sr., Elon
F: Giuseppe Gentile, So., Charlotte
F: Chris Thomas, Sr., Elon
F: Mamadee Nyepon, So., High Point
NCCSIA Men’s Soccer University Division All-State Second Team
GK: Kody Palmer, R-Fr., High Point
D: Lee Williams, Sr., Appalachian State
D: Austin Yearwood, Fr., High Point
D: Jon Ole Reinhardsen, R-Sr., Gardner-Webb
M: Matt Wescoe, Jr., Elon
M: Adam Sewell, Jr., High Point
M: Daniel Lovitz, Jr., Elon
M: Tyler Gibson, Jr., Charlotte
F: Hakan Ilhan, Sr., UNC Greensboro