MISSION, Ks. - East Stroudsburg University forward Pat Stanco has been chosen on the National Soccer Coaches Association Division II All-America third team, it was announced Thursday.

Stanco was one of 33 players honored in a vote of the head soccer coaches of approximately 175 Division II schools which sponsor the sport.

The senior from Union, N.J. also was chosen on the NSCAA All-Northeast Region team along with three other ESU players. Midfielder Karl Nusshag also was a first team All-Region choice while sweeper back Sean Stewart and forward Jorge Chapoy made the second team.

Stanco previously had been selected as the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Player of the Year after leading the ESU booters to their third straight conference title and seventh in eight years.

The Warriors gained a berth in the NCAA Division II Soccer Playoffs, but lost to LIU-Southampton, 2-1, in triple overtime in the first round. The team finished with an 18-3 record, tying the school season victory record.

Stanco scored a conference-leading 20 goals and had seven assists for 47 points. He had goals in 11 straight games at one point of the season including a 'hat trick' in a regular-season win over Lock Haven and two goals apiece in victories over California, Pa., Mercy and Slippery Rock.

A three-year starter, he finished his career with 41 goals and 16 assists. He was an New Jersey All-State Group IV third team player for Union High School.

Nusshag, a junior from Media, was a leader in the midfield area for the Warriors and contributed five goals and had two assists. He attended Penncrest High School.

Stewart, a freshman from St. Elizabeth, Jamaica, headed the ESU defense which allowed only 17 goals in 20 games with nine shutouts. He was selected as the outstanding player in the PSAC championship win over Lock Haven.

Chapoy, also a freshman from Monclova, Coah, Mexico who attended Pequea Valley, Pa. High School, was the team leader in assists with 12 and added five goals.

The Warriors had one women make the NSCAA All-Northeast Region team, sweeper back Michele Loh, a junior from Mechnicsburg, chosen on the second team. She was the defensive leader on a team which posted an 11-8-1 record, the school's eighth straight winning season.

Stanco is the 24th ESU player to gain All-America honors and the eighth under 18-year head coach Jerry Sheska. The last was forward Sean Crawford in 1997.

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