Ilkka Jantti was named to the National Soccer Coaches Association of America All-America second team on Friday, Dec. 7, the NSCAA announced. The honor is Jantti’s first from the NSCAA and the first in the 11-year history of the UK men’s soccer 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.
“Ilkka is definitely one of the best players in the country,” Coach Ian Collins said, “and it is a testament to his ability that the coaches voted him as such. He has been one of the biggest factors in the rise of the UK program, and I believe he can make the move to the professional ranks.”
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.
The first Finnish player to come to the Bluegrass, Jantti firmly etched his name in the UK record books over his career. His 79 games started is ranked second all-time in school history, while his 80 games played is third. He is 10th all-time with 10 goals scored, half of which he tallied this season, and 32 points. In four years, he has assisted 12 goals, good for sixth all-time, while his 89 shots are ranked sixth.
