Cruz Herr Nov. 15, 2008

Laidlaw, Herr top league honorees

PELLA—Central College midfielder Cruz Herr (senior, Cedar Rapids, Kennedy HS) was named to the all-Iowa Conference men’s soccer squad for the fourth time while Central’s Garry Laidlaw is the league’s coach of the year as eight Dutch players were recognized.  

Herr was a first-team pick along with senior defender and former high school teammate Scott Erie (Cedar Rapids, Kennedy HS) and sophomore forward Brett McKenzie (sophomore, Lindenhurst, Ill., Antioch HS). Sophomore midfielder Cody Jandik (Cedar Rapids, Cedar Valley Christian HS) and freshman forward Eric Shelton (Appleton, Wis., Kimberly HS) were second-team picks. Sophomore defender Dan Hurd (West Des Moines, Valley HS), sophomore midfielder Nick DeLucia (Urbana, Ill.) and senior goalkeeper Greg Foote (Maple Grove, Minn.) received honorable mention.

Herr is the third Central player ever to earn all-league recognition four times, joining Mike Kobylinski (1999-2002) and Conrad Vernon (2002-05). A second-team pick in 2005, Herr was a first-team choice for the third straight year. Herr had one goal and two assists for the Dutch in 2008.

Laidlaw, in his 11th season, piloted the Dutch to a 7-1 league record, matching league champion Loras College. Central defeated NCAA Division III tournament qualifiers Loras and Wartburg College in a 4-day span as the Dutch compiled a 12-7 overall record. Laidlaw previously won coach of the year honors in 2002. He’s compiled a 110-84-13 record, including a 93-34-9 mark over the past seven seasons.

Erie was a second-team pick in 2007. He had a goal and assist while anchoring the Dutch defense in 2008.

McKenzie was recognized for the first time after leading Central in scoring with nine goals and three assists.

Jandik was a second-team choice for the second straight year. He had six goals and three assists.

Shelton was cited in his rookie year. He was Central’s third-leading point producer with seven goals and three assists.

Foote, a second-team all-league honoree last season, received honorable mention after posting an 11-5 record as goalkeeper. He made 49 saves in 17 games and notched three shutouts.                            

Hurd endured an injury-plagued season and received honorable mention as a defender for the second time. He scored three goals in 11 games.

DeLucia was Central’s second-leading point producer with seven goals and five assists.