WALLA WALLA, Wash. -- For a second consecutive season, five members of the men's soccer team at Whitman College have earned All-Northwest Conference recognition.
Jeff Waggoner and Niels Larson, a pair of junior forwards, are among the 13 players on the All-NWC First Team. Tyler Chisholm, also a junior, was named to the Second Team as a defender, while senior Travis Exstrom at goalkeeper and junior Vico Rust in the midfield received Honorable Mention recognition.
Larson and Exstrom reaped all-conference honors for a third straight season. Larson, who also made the first team as a freshman when he led Whitman in scoring, was on the NWC second team last fall. Exstrom has received honorable mention recognition in each of the past three seasons.
Waggoner, who led the Missionaries in scoring this season, was on the second team a year ago. Chisholm and Rust earned all-conference spots for the first time this fall.
Winning four more games than the previous season, Whitman concluded its fall campaign with a record of 8-9-2, including a 4-8-2 mark in the NWC, just one game out of fourth place.
Waggoner (Coeur d'Alene HS) booted two goals in two of his last three games to finish with nine on the season, just one behind the NWC scoring leader. A two-time winner of NWC Player of the Week honors this season, Waggoner kicked the game-winning goals in back-to-back games in early October, powering the Missionaries to a pair of overtime road victories.
"Jeff is a potential game breaker every time he touches the ball," Whitman coach Mike Washington said. "He changes speed and direction with the ball at his feet, and he makes defenders miss all the time. Jeff also works harder than most players. He leads by example and has great character, which is what it takes to succeed at anything."
One of Waggoner's last goals of the season, a header, was memorable, Washington said. "I've seen Jeff score with both feet, but the goal he scored with his head this past week was one of the best goals I've ever seen."
Larson (Portland's Lincoln HS), who had nine goals as a freshman, had six goals and four assists this season. "Niels is a natural player in the one-on-one arena," Washington said. "He likes the ball at his feet, where he go directly at the defense. He has a very powerful shot and is a very physical player, which creates all kinds of problems for the defense."
A 6-foot-2, 180 pounder, Larson moved from the midfield to forward this season. "It turned out to be a wise move," Washington said. "It gives Niels a better starting position for attacking. He understands the game and is very coachable."
Exstrom (Issaquah, Wash. / Redmond HS), Whitman's starting keeper for three-plus seasons, capped his senior year with three shutouts. He shared a fourth shutout with Whitman's backup keeper, Nate Davis. Exstrom finished with nine shutouts in the past three years.
Exstrom averaged 5.71 saves this fall, the second-best mark in the conference. He led the NWC in saves as both a sophomore and junior. "Travis is a great shot stopper, and he thrives on the pressure of a close game," Washington said. "He trains very hard, and he's tough to beat when he gets into the right zone. Travis has been a great guy to have around."
At 6-foot-3 and 200 pounds, Chisholm anchored Whitman's defense with authority this season. "Other teams have trouble with Tyler's size and strength," Washington said. "He's shown definite improvement in the air and now wins balls easily. His technique is much better, and he looks very comfortable in building out of the back for us."
Players are starting to view Chisholm (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho / Lake City HS) as a team leader, Washington added. "Tyler is the ultimate team player."
Rust, a 5-foot-7 midfielder from Mount Vernon (Wash.) HS, is one of Whitman's smallest players, but he's also one of its most energetic. "Vico is a dynamo who works hard all the time, where it's practice or a game," Washington said. "He has great vision of the field and leads with his passing."
A good defender with a hard shot, Rust has "found his role in the center of our field," Washington said. "He's going to be one of the keys for us next season."
Dave Holden, Whitman Sports Information, 509 527-5902
Email: holden@whitman.edu