April 5, 2008

Fenton, Mo. - Junior midfielder Kyle Patterson (Birmingham, England) was named the Saint Louis men's soccer Most Valuable Player Friday night at the annual awards banquet at the Anheuser-Busch Conference Center.

The Billikens celebrated a 12-2-5 season that saw them capture their third straight Atlantic 10 Conference regular-season championship and the program's 44th berth into the NCAA Tournament. The program was highlighted by the appearance of various SLU alumni. In addition, Jeff Cooper was on hand for a keynote address. Cooper, the managing partner of the SimmonsCooper law firm, is the front-runner in the effort to bring an MLS franchise to the St. Louis area.

"I would like to thank Johnny Johnson at Anheuser-Busch as well as World Wide Technology for their support in helping make this banquet a success," Billiken head coach Dan Donigan said. "Not only is this a chance to recognize the many quality student-athletes in our program, but it is also one of our biggest fundraisers. So, their support along with the help of many others is greatly appreciated. Also, thanks to Jeff Cooper for updating those in attendance on the latest news as he continues his quest to bring an MLS team to the St. Louis metro area."

Patterson was named first-team All-Region by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) in addition to being named the Atlantic 10 Conference's Offensive Player of the Year. He finished the season with 24 points (10G, 4A), which included 14 points (6G, 2A) in league games. His best offensive performance came against Saint Joseph's, when he buried three straight goals in 2 minutes, 31 seconds for the second-fastest natural hat trick in NCAA history.

Senior midfielder Brian Grazier (Edwardsville, Ill.) received the Mark Demling Award as the individual who put the team first and foremost and gave everything he had to the team. He overcame several career-threatening injuries to be a steadying force in the Billiken midfield the past two years. In January, Grazier was drafted by the Colorado Rapids of Major League Soccer and recently signed a developmental contract with the club.

Junior midfielder Brandon Barklage (St. Louis, Mo. / CBC) received the Goal of the Year award, as voted upon by his teammates, for his game-winning tally against Loyola Marymount on Sept. 15. His low-liner from 30 yards out with 1:20 left in regulation found the back of the net and vaulted the Billikens to their first win of the season. That victory began a seven-match unbeaten streak for the Bills, which included a win in the next match against then-No. 2 Indiana.

Janet Oberle received the 12th Man Award. She is the University's assistant athletics director for compliance and student services. Oberle oversees admission procedures and academic progress for the soccer program and the rest of the student-athletes.

Longtime supporters Mark Demling and Jim Murphy were honored with the Alumni Achievement Award. Bill McDermott, a soccer analyst who has also served as the Billikens' public addresss announcer for the last 35 years, was the master of ceremonies.

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