Toth Recognized Third Team NSCAA All-American
HOUGHTON, N.Y. -- The transition to NCAA Division III presents a number of opportunities for "firsts" for Houghton teams and student-athletes.
Men's soccer player
Jesse Toth is the latest to hit the mark.
Toth has been recognized as Houghton's first NCAA Division III All-American as the defender was named an
NSCAA-NCAA Third Team selection following his senior campaign. Toth was also named to the NCAA Division III All-East Region First Team this week.
Toth's leadership and composure in the back helped the Highlanders to one of their top defensive seasons in recent years, as the team advanced to the Empire 8 Championship game and the NCCAA National Tournament and finished 11-7-4. The senior defender has suited up in 70 games and helped his team to 31 shutouts, while contributing seven career goals and five assists, for a Houghton team that has gone 43-26-9.
Toth is a four-time Empire 8 All-Conference First Team selection and has garnered four-straight NCCAA First Team All-Region honors.
He was also an NCCAA Second Team All-American and NSCAA-NCAA DIII Third-Team All-East Region as a junior, both of those honors coming despite his missing seven games due to a season-ending knee injury. As a sophomore, he also earned NCCAA Second Team All-American honors.
"I couldn't be prouder of Jesse. It is a very well-deserved honor for him," said Highlander Head Coach Matthew Webb. "Jesse has been one of the very best -- in all areas -- to play at Houghton. He is a special player, a leader, a great example of what we want to represent Houghton men's soccer."
Toth is a recent recipient of the NCCAA Division I Kyle Rote Jr., award that recognizes academic and athletic achievement, Christian service and conduct.
The business administration major has also performed well in the classroom, earning Empire 8 President's List honors five times, being named an NCCAA Scholar-Athlete the past two years, and earning numerous college Dean's List, Dean's Honor List, and President's List honors. Following his junior year, Jesse received Houghton's Male Student-Athlete Excellence Award, the highest honor in the department that is traditionally reserved for graduating seniors.
The All-America selections will be formally acknowledged for their accomplishments at the NSCAA All-America Luncheon on January 14, 2017 at the Los Angeles Convention Center in conjunction with the 2017 NSCAA Convention.