Junior forward Jeff Rowland etched his name into the annals of UNM men's soccer history this year, breaking the Lobos' single-season scoring record.
The National Soccer Coaches Association of America recognized Rowland's performance with a first team All-American award Friday.
"I'm pretty stoked," Rowland said. "I mean, it's pretty awesome. I was expecting to maybe make the first or second team, so it's kind of a shocker."
He's only the fourth player in Lobo history to be named to an All-American team and only the third ever to garner a first-team accolade.
Justin Sells, a Lobo who went on to play for the San Jose Clash in Major League Soccer, was named to the Soccer America first team in 1997. Edmundo Rodriguez was named to the NSCAA first team in 1992.
Rowland surpassed Rodriguez on the single-season scoring list this year with 45 points on 19 goals and seven assists.
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Rowland helped his team to a berth in the NCAA tournament this season before the Lobos lost to the fourth-seeded Virginia Cavaliers in a third-round shootout. Rowland said the award wouldn't have been possible without his team's efforts.
"I got to give it up for my whole team," he said. "They really helped me out."
The forward also snatched a Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Co-Player of the Year award along with teammate Andrew Boyens.
He ended the season with the second-highest goals per game average in the NCAA with 1.00. Rowland was also named to the ESPN Academic All-American first team with a 3.79 GPA.
With a season left, the forward isn't worried about shortening his learning curve too quick.
"It's pretty high expectations to live up to next year, but I'll be ready for it," he said.
