Callum Irving Named NSCAA Scholar All-American

LEXINGTON, Ky. — Kentucky men’s soccer goalkeeper Callum Irving has earned one of the highest academic honors in collegiate soccer as he was named a College Scholar All-American by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America on Wednesday.

The UK goalkeeper was honored for his dual accomplishments on the field and in the classroom.

To be named to a Scholar All-America Team, a student-athlete must have at least a 3.30 cumulative grade point average (on a 4.0 scale) throughout his or her career; start more than 50 percent of all games and be a significant contributor to the team.

The Vancouver, B.C., native was named to the 2014 Conference USA All-Academic Team and the 2013 Southeastern Conference Fall Academic Honor Roll.

He has a 3.692 grade point average while majoring in history.

Irving has earned a fair share of postseason awards, recently becoming the fourth Wildcat to be named an All-American by the NSCAA. The other on-field NSCAA All-Americans were Barry Rice, Jantti and Jamal Shteiwi.

He was also a NSCAA First Team All-Region selection.

He was voted the Conference USA Player of the Year, Defensive MVP and First Team All-C-USA honoree in addition to winning the Golden Glove Award, which went to the conference goalie with the most shutouts in league-play (five).

The junior finished the year with a 0.77 goals-against average, the fourth-best total in UK single-season history. He tallied 10 shutouts on the year, which tied for fourth most in the nation.

Irving ranks ninth in UK single-season record book with 65 saves.

His 0.98 career goals-against average ranks third in UK history, behind Greg Raber (2001-02; 0.85) and Andy Gruenebaum (2002-05, 0.97), who is currently a goalie with Major League Soccer side San Jose Earthquakes. Gruenebaum is a nine-year MLS veteran having also played for Columbus Crew and Sporting Kansas City.

Irving ranks fifth in UK career history with 17 shutouts, five away from the record.