University of Kentucky men’s soccer player Ilkka Jantti was named to the All-Great Lakes Region first team, the National Soccer Coaches Association of America announced Tuesday. The honor is Jantti’s second consecutive first-team selection after making the third team in 1998 and the second team in 1999. He is the only four-time honoree on this season’s team. Fellow Cat John Monebrake made his first appearance on the All-Great Lakes team with his selection to the third team.

“It is an outstanding honor to be named to the region team four times,” Coach Ian Collins said. “He is a great athlete and very deserving of all he has accomplished. For John to come in here after sitting out a year and accomplish what he did is a testament to the player he is. This is a great honor for him and this program.”

Jantti, a senior from Lahti, Finland, anchored a stellar defensive corps that allowed just 15 goals on the year and collected nine shutouts. An honor student, Jantti also stepped up his offensive work this season, scoring five goals (three game-winners) and five assists. His 15 points were second on the team.

After being named Mid-American Conference Player of the Year, Jantti helped lead the Cats to their third straight NCAA Tournament appearance where they defeated Mercer in the first round for the program’s first NCAA tourney victory. The Cats advanced past Saint Louis in 2000 in a penalty kick shootout after tying the Billikens through four overtimes.

Monebrake, a junior from Pickerington, Ohio, led the UK in scoring with 19 points on eight goals and three assists. The transfer from Ohio State tied Jantti for the team lead in game-winning goals with three. Earlier this season, he was named a MAC Player of the Week before ending the season as the MAC Newcomer of the Year and first team All-MAC.