Nov. 15, 2011
WALNUT CREEK, Calif. -
2011 All-Pac-12 Conference Team
Six San Diego State men's soccer players have been named to the all-Pac-12 team, the league announced Tuesday afternoon. The six selections are tied with Washington for the second most in the conference.
Senior Daniel Steres (Calabasas, Calif.) was chosen as a first-team pick, while redshirt senior Pedro Adan (San Diego/Preuss HS), juniors Jose Altamirano (San Diego/Southwest HS) and Abraham Villon (Garden Grove, Calif.), and sophomore Miles Byass (Highland, Calif.) were each named to the second team. Additionally, redshirt sophomore Blake Hylen (San Diego/Torrey Pines HS) was an honorable mention selection.
Steres picked up this third all-conference honor after being named to the second team in 2010 and an honorable mention selection in 2009. A co-captain, Steres tied for second on the squad with 13 points on five goals and three assists, while leading the team with 1,759 minutes. Steres, who was one of three Aztecs to start all 19 matches this year, also anchored a back line that finished the season with five shutouts.
Adan garnered his first all-league accolade, co-captaining SDSU this year along with Steres. Adan started all 18 matches he played, registering two assists on 13 shots over 1,345 minutes. He set career highs in games played, games started and minutes, while playing the majority of the season as the team's defensive midfielder.
Altamirano, meanwhile, was named to his second consecutive second team after earning honorable mention accolades as a freshman in 2009. This year, the midfielder had nine points on a career-high three goals and three assists. Altamirano also had career highs of 36 shots and 14 shots on goal, while starting all 19 of San Diego State's matches. He also took 52 of the team's 100 corner kicks.
Villon made the all-Pac-12 second team in his first season on Montezuma Road. Villon, who starred for JUCO power Arizona Western College the previous two years, had four assists, which ranked second on the team. A midfielder, Villon started all 17 of his appearances, logging 1,079 minutes. He added nine shots.
Byass joined Adan, Altamirano and Villon on the second team, a year after being an honorable mention pick. Byass led the team with 16 points on five goals and six assists. A forward, Byass played in all 19 games with 14 starts to his credit, ranking third in the Pac-12 in shots (60), tied for fourth in goals and assists, and fifth in points. He also topped the Aztecs in shots on goal (24).
Hylen rounded out SDSU's all-conference selections with the honorable mention nod. Hylen, who was called upon to replace four-year starting goalkeeper Brad Byrns, went 9-6-3 with a 1.31 goals against average over 1,647:37. He had 71 saves for a 74.7 save percentage and four shutouts. Among the conference leaders, Hylen ranked second in saves, and third in goals against average, save percentage and shutouts.
San Diego State finished the year with a 10-6-3 record for its first back-to-back double-digit win seasons since 1991-92.
2011 All-Pac-12 Conference Team (SDSU players only)
First Team
Daniel Steres, D, Sr.
Second Team
Pedro Adan, MF, RS-Sr.
Jose Altamirano, MF, Jr.
Miles Byass, F, So.
Abraham Villon, MF, Jr.
Honorable Mention
Blake Hylen, GK, RS-So.