Zach Patterson	Adam Worrall

Patterson, a senior defender from Dayton, Ohio, was one of four defenders selected to the NAIA All-American First Team. The former Dayton Christian High School standout started all 24 matches for the Cougars this season and was the only player to play all 2,218 minutes. He anchored a back line that allowed only 16 goals to set a new school record for fewest goals allowed with the defense also posting a new school record with 14 shutouts. In four matches in the NAIA National Championship, MVNU allowed just one goal. Patterson also registered two assists this season.

Worrall, a senior forward from Blacklick, Ohio, was named to the NAIA All-American Third Team. The former Gahanna Lincoln High School star led the Cougars with 23 goals and 10 assists while starting all 24 matches. He was also tied for the NAIA lead with 10 game-winning goals. In MVNU’s four NAIA National Championship matches, Worrall scored three of the team’s four goals and assisted on the other one. He finishes his illustrious career tied for third in school history with 45 goals, fourth with 109 points, and 14th with 19 assists.

Prior to Patterson and Worrall being tabbed for these honors, the previous highest NAIA honors received by an MVNU men’s soccer player came in the former of NAIA Honorable Mention All-American status. Josh Robson was a two-time honoree in 1999 and 2000, and Matt Salisbury also received the honor in 1999.

The Cougars finished the 2008 campaign with an 18-4-2 overall record to set a new school record for best winning percentage at .792. MVNU advanced to the NAIA National Championship for the first time winning three matches before falling 1-0 in the semifinals to No. 2 seed University of Rio Grande. The Cougars were ranked No. 7 in the final NAIA poll - the highest ranking in program history.