Dec. 13, 2008

EVANSTON, Ill. - Northwestern junior defender Mark Blades (Lakewood, Ohio/St. Ignatius) has been named a third-team All-American as selected by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA). He had previously been named a first-team All-Great Lakes Region honoree and a second-team All-Big Ten pick.

Blades is the second Wildcat in school history and the last two seasons to earn All-America distinction. David Roth, a forward, was named a second-team selection in 2007.

Blades was instrumental in Northwestern establishing itself as one of the top defensive units in the country this season. NU set a school record with 13 shutouts, besting the previous mark of nine set a year ago.

The Wildcats' goals-against average of 0.55 was the sixth-best mark in the nation. Blades also contributed on the offensive end, ranking tied for second on the team with three goals and six points.

Northwestern (15-5-3) tied a tied a school record with 15 wins this season and advanced to the NCAA quarterfinals for the second time in three years.

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