PHILADELPHIA – Slippery Rock University men’s soccer standouts Jeremy Deighton and Greg Blum were honored at the 2010 National Soccer Coaches Association of America’s All-America presentation last week. The All-America presentation is one of the featured events of the NSCAA’s annual convention.

Deighton and Blum were joined by Thomas Pool in earning NSCAA All-America honors this season, but Pool could not attend the presentation.

“It’s really great that Jeremy and Greg could get to the convention for the presentation,” said head coach Matt Thompson. “This is an experience they will never forget.”

Deighton was named to first team All-America honors at forward, marking his highest achievement of the postseason. He was also named to second team All-America honors by Daktronics, Inc., along with first team NSCAA and Daktronics All-Region and first team All-PSAC honors. He took home both the PSAC-West and the Atlantic Region Player of the Year honors and was named to first team ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District and third team Academic All-America honors to accompany his first team Scholar All-America honors from the NSCAA.

Deighton led the PSAC and the Atlantic Region in points, goals and game-winning goals this season, netting 21 goals and handing out seven assists for 49 points. His nine game-winners ranked him among the top-ten in the nation. He finishes his collegiate career with a total of 112 points, which ranks tied for fourth on the all-time ledger at Slippery Rock. His 47 goals also ranks tied for fourth all-time at SRU.

Blum was named to third team All-America honors at goalkeeper and was joined on the third team by Pool as a defender.

Blum earned first team All-Region honors from the NSCAA and first team All-PSAC honors, along with second team All-Region honors from Daktronics, Inc., after anchoring The Rock’s defensive effort this season. He posted a final record of 17-4-1 with eight individual shutouts. He allowed 20 goals in 1919 minutes for a goals against average of 0.94 and made 97 saves for a save percentage of .829. Blum propelled the team into the second round of the NCAA Tournament by making a career-high 14 saves in the opening round win over Mercyhurst. He also made three saves in a shootout win over the Lakers in the PSAC semifinals.

Pool captained The Rock’s defensive unit from his center back position this season and was rewarded with third team All-America honors from Daktronics, Inc., as well as first team All-PSAC and first team NSCAA All-Region honors for his efforts. Pool guided a defense that allowed just 20 goals in 23 games this season for a team goals against average of 0.85. Pool also provided a scoring threat, netting a career-high three goals and handing out two assists for eight points.

The Rock finished the 2009 season with a school record 18 wins, posting a won-loss-tied ledger of 18-4-1. The team claimed its second PSAC Championship since 2005 with a 2-1 win over No. 1-ranked Millersville, which was also the program’s first win over a top-ranked opponent. Slippery Rock advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament, matching its furthest postseason run in school history, and reached the program’s highest national ranking ever at 10th. The team was ranked 13th in the final NSCAA National Division II Poll.