WALLA WALLA, Wash. -- Rob Tonnsen, a senior midfielder on the Whitman College men's soccer team, has ended his collegiate soccer career the way he started it -- by making the all-Northwest Conference soccer team. Tonnsen, a four-year starter for the Missionaries, earned a spot on the all-conference second team, which was announced earlier this week.
One of Tonnsen's teammates, Joe Capp, a junior goalkeeper for Whitman, received honorable mention recognition on this year's all-conference squad.
Tonnsen, a 1996 graduate of Billings, Mont., High School, was one of Whitman's leading scorers this season with three goals and three assists. He tallied the same number of goals and assists as a freshman when he earned honorable mention all-conference recognition.
"Rob has been the epitome of a team player," Whitman coach Mike Washington said. "While being the smallest player (5-feet-4) on the team, his heart is huge, his work ethic infectious and his leadership critical. He played several positions for us through the years at Whitman, from striker to central and outside midfield. Wherever Rob played, he always gave his all."
In a vote of his teammates, Tonnsen also received the team's Most Valuable Player award this season. It was the second time in three seasons he earned that award. Last year, Tonnsen received the Coach's Award.
Washington said Tonnsen's value on the soccer field was rooted in "very sound technical abilities. "Rob has a great change of speed and jumping ability, his heading is outstanding, and he can cross or shoot with equal ability. He was the king of our set plays this year, scoring off dead ball situations at key times. One of those goals was the game- winner against Willamette."
Tonnsen, a geology major at Whitman, is the son of Loretta and John Tonnsen of Billings, Mont.
Capp, a 1997 graduate of Davis High School in Yakima, Wash., led Whitman's goalkeepers in saves with 51, despite missing a number of games due to injury.
"Joe has been Mr. Consistent," Washington said. "He has great technique and very good hands. His diving ability and coverage of the goal is very good."
Washington also described Capp as his "big game" goalkeeper. In games this season against the University of Puget Sound, the conference champion, "Joe made some incredible saves. When the pressure is on, Joe is the guy you want to have in goal. We look forward to having Joe back for one more season."
Capp, a music performance major (piano) at Whitman, is the son of Juliet and Kenneth Capp of Yakima, Wash.
Four other Whitman team awards were given this year:
* Best Offensive Player - Ross Good, freshman forward. Good, a 1999 graduate of Kamiak High School in Mukilteo, Wash., led Whitman in scoring with four goals and two assists. He is the son of Carla and Bill Good of Edmonds, Wash.
* Best Defensive Player - Scott Kilpatrick, a freshman defender. Kilpatrick, the son of Diane and John Kilpatrick of Stevenson, Wash., is a 1999 graduate of Stevenson High School.
* Most Inspirational Player - Scott Burns, a sophomore midfielder. Burns, the son of Mary and Richard Burns of Redding, Calif., shared the Coach's Award last season with Rob Tonnsen. Burns is a 1998 graduate of Enterprise High School in Redding.
* Most Improved Player - Josh Weissman, a sophomore defender. A politics major at Whitman, Weissman is a 1998 graduate of Eastlake High School in Redmond, Wash. He is the son of Karen and Larry Weissman of Redmond
Dave Holden, Whitman Sports Information, (509) 527-5902
Email: holden@whitman.edu