Feb. 8, 2007

GREENSBORO, N.C. - Five Maryland men's soccer student-athletes have been named to the 2006 All-ACC Academic Men's Soccer Team, announced today by the conference office. Junior Midfielders Maurice Edu and Stephen King were both tabbed for the second time in their careers while newcomers Omar Gonzalez, Jason Herrick, and Drew Yates were all put on the team as well.

To be eligible for consideration, a student-athlete must earn a 3.0 GPA for the previous semester and maintained a 3.0 cumulative GPA during his academic career. Maryland earned the second most bids of any other team in the conference.

Edu and King earned similar honors at the team's annual banquet as they were given the 2006 Peter Lowery Award, presented to the team members who exemplify academic excellence, leadership, and distinguished citizenship on campus. In addition, Edu earned the 2006 John Carlson Award presented to the Oustanding Team Member and King was named the 2006 Offensive Most Valuable Player.

Edu was a first-team NSCAA/adidas All-American and was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2007 MLS SuperDraft. He was taken by the expansion club Toronto FC and is the second men's soccer student-athlete to be taken first in the draft.

King was an All-ACC selection in 2006 and a semifinalist for the Hermann Trophy. He was second on the team in scoring with six goals and seven assists.

Gonzalez, Herrick, and Yates all played instrumental roles in their first season in College Park. Gonzales started all 22 games for the Terps at center back and also added a goal and three assists. Herrick was fifth on the team in scoring with five goals and three assists and Yates provided a spark off the bench for Maryland while dishing out five assists.

Gonzalez and Herrick were both All-ACC Freshman Team selections.