Soccer: Napier expat wins American honour

Andy Bevin, of Napier, is the toast of his West Virginia University soccer team after an American first selection. Photo/File.

The soccer savvy lot in Hawke's Bay knew it all along but it's official now that Andy Bevin is the complete package after a historic first for his university team.

The former Bluewater Napier City Rovers striker has been named in the Capital One Academic All-America First Team, as selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America.

The West Virginia University men's soccer representative is among 11 to the first team and the lone selection from the Mid-American Conference (MAC) for not just his feat on the field but also his academic nous.

"I was named to the Academic All-America First Team for my achievements both academically and sporting. That means I'm in the top 11 guys in that field across the country," says the 21-year-old former Kinetic Electrical Hawke's Bay United player in an email to his parents, Theresa and Sean Bevin, of Napier.

The business administration major boasts a 3.88 grade point average. He was named All-MAC First Team in 2013, All-MAC Second Team in 2012 and All-Big East Third Team in 2011. The former Napier Boys' High School pupil also earned Big East Rookie of the Year in 2011.

This season in the US, Bevin found the net nine times for the Mountaineers and amassed 24 points. He was ranked third with six assists.

In his three-year career, he has 18 goals and 11 assists for 47 points.

Says Bevin: "The football season saw us finish with seven wins, seven losses and five draws.

"Not the kind of season we were after but personally I had a good, consistent season ... I finished golden boot for my team and for the league, my first time doing that since I've been over here."

His mentors also paid tribute to the former New Zealand age-group player.

Says coach Marlon LeBlanc: "Andy worked very hard this season and clearly had a tremendous year on the field. Now people know just how hard he works in the classroom as well.

"This is a well-deserved honour for Andy, a historic one for the program, and a testament to the efforts of all those who support our student athletes," LeBlanc says.

The university's previous high achievers were Carlos Iga (1998) and Pat Carroll (2007) who each secured only third-team honours.