Nov. 18, 2002
SAN DIEGO - San Diego State men's soccer players Brian Barnes and Ryan Cook capped off their outstanding Aztec careers with 2002 All-MPSF honors as voted by the conference's head coaches. Barnes, a senior goalkeeper, was named to the second team, while Cook, a senior defender, received honorable mention recognition.
For Barnes (Aurora, Colo./Overland HS), the honor marks his second career all-conference selection. The 2000 Pacific Division first-team goalkeeper selection, Barnes suffered through an injury-plagued junior campaign but returned strong in 2002. He led the MPSF with 98 saves and a 5.44 saves per game average this season and recorded shutouts against CSU Fullerton and Sacramento State. Barnes, a team captain for the past two seasons, also recorded the victory in the Aztecs' overtime win against No. 7 Loyola Marymount on Oct. 16, SDSU's first defeat of a top-10 opponent since 1990. This season, he set both SDSU's career and single-season saves records with 282 and 98, respectively.
A decorated student-athlete, Barnes was named to the 2002 Verizon District VIII Academic All-America team and has received SDSU scholar-athlete awards for maintaining a 3.5 GPA or better in each of the past six semesters. He was named to the 2000 MPSF All-Academic team and will likely earn a second honor this season.
Cook (Rancho Cordova, Calif./Jesuit HS) has been recognized as All-MPSF for the second consecutive season. A 2001 second-team selection, Cook followed up those honors with an impressive senior campaign. A team captain in 2002, Cook solidified the Aztec defense at the sweeper position and built a reputation as one of the league's toughest competitors by playing at a high level through an assortment of injuries. He played in all but one match, with 18 appearances and 16 starts.
A former SDSU scholar-athlete award recipient, Cook played in 59 matches in his Aztec career and recorded two goals and four assists.