STORRS, CT (December 12) – Senior Damani Ralph (Kingston, Jamaica) and sophomore Shavar Thomas (Kingston, Jamaica) of the University of Connecticut men’s soccer team were named to the NSCAA/adidas Division I All-American Second Team announced at a news conference in Dallas, Texas on Thursday. The All-American status is a first time honor for both Ralph and Thomas.

Ralph notched a team-high 18 goals and five assists for 41 points, including nine game-winners, several in crucial situations. He was named the 2002 BIG EAST Offensive Player of the Year, an All-BIG EAST First Team member and a four-time BIG EAST Offensive Player of the Week. Ralph was one of 15 finalists for the prestigious M.A.C. Hermann Trophy award and was named to the NSCAA/adidas All-New England First Team. In only two seasons at UConn, Ralph scored a career 28 goals and 11 assists for 67 points, playing and starting in a possible 45 games.

Thomas was selected to the All-BIG EAST First Team and was a two-time BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Week. He was also named to the NSCAA/adidas All-New England First Team. Thomas scored two goals, both headers off corner kicks, and two assists for six points. He was one of the mainstays of the Husky defense in 2002 stifling the opponents to 0.95 goals and 9.8 shots per game.