Callum Irving Named First Team All-America
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Not that there was ever a doubt, but the National
Soccer Coaches Association of America confirmed on Friday that Kentucky’s
Callum Irving was the nation’s top goalkeeper in 2015.
The senior was the lone goalkeeper on the All-America First Team, becoming the
first-ever men’s or women’s Wildcat to be named to the NSCAA first team.
Additionally, he is UK’s first-ever two-time NSCAA All-American, as he earned
third team honors last year.
Barry Rice was a multiple-times All-American between 2008-09, but was
only honored by the NSCAA in 2009.
Irving led Kentucky to an undefeated run through the 2015 conference
season, earning Kentucky’s first-ever Conference USA Championship. And perhaps
more impressively, he did so while conceding just one goal in eight league
matches.
He finished his UK career with the program’s all-time records in shutouts (27)
and goals-against average (minimum 2,500 minutes – 0.86).
“I love this place,” Irving said of his UK career. “I came in as a freshman and
it didn’t quite go exactly as I had planned. Everyone comes in with a thought
of how they want it to go, and it went the exact opposite of that. The coaching
staff had a lot of faith in me still, as well as my teammates.
“I kind of found my place here and
found my home. Over the past three years, I can see where we built it from and
see that I had an impact on it. I just feel really lucky to be here the past
four years. I have enjoyed my time, and I think I will be following UK men’s
soccer forever. It is my family now.”
For the second time in as many seasons, Irving garnered three C-USA men’s
soccer specialty awards as he was voted the Conference USA Player of the Year,
the Conference USA Defensive MVP and a First-Team All-C-USA selection — all
accolades he was bestowed a year ago. He also repeated as recipient of the
Golden Glove Award, given to the goalkeeper who posts the most shutouts in
C-USA play. Irving posted a 0.66 goals-against average (11th, NCAA) in 19
matches in 2015, totaling nine shutouts. Seven of the clean sheets came against
C-USA opponents as he notched a 0.12 goals-against average, allowing just one
goal in eight conference matches (773:45 minutes). Irving was named All-America
by the NSCAA last season.
Irving was also named a NSCAA Scholar All-American last season, and actually
improved his cumulative GPA this year.
All-Americans and theirC accomplishments will be celebrated and
recognized at the NSCAA All-America Luncheon held during the 2016
NSCAA Convention in Baltimore on Saturday, Jan. 16, starting at noon.
Luncheon registration for players, coaches, and their families is open and
available at NSCAA.com/aaregistration.
