November 15, 2007
San Antonio – St. Mary’s University men’s soccer players David Peterson, Bryon Plagge and Luke Smith were named to the 2007 Daktronics All-Midwest Region Team, it was announced by the College Sports Information Directors of America on Thursday.
Smith (Sr., Kerrville) was named first team All-Midwest Region for the first time as a Rattler. He was also named second team All-Heartland Conference recently. The former walk-on finished his career as one of the top defensive players in the Heartland Conference and the Midwest Region. Smith played in 18 games, scoring two goals and assisting on one. He was named Heartland Conference Defensive Player of the Week once this season. Smith helped anchor a defense that allowed less than two goals a game and posted two shutouts. In his career Smith scored three goals and added two assists, while playing in 60 games over his four years with the team.
Peterson (Fr., Saginaw) had an outstanding first season with the team, scoring eight goals, including three game-winners on his way to earning second team All-Midwest Region honors. Peterson was named second team All-Heartland Conference. He led the team in scoring, despite playing in just 12 games as an injury ended his season early. Twice he was honored as Heartland Conference Offensive Player of the Week. Peterson led the Rattlers to a 1-0 win over Heartland Champion Incarnate Word, scoring the only goal of the game on Oct. 3. He had two multiple-goal games, scoring twice against both Newman and St. Thomas. He scored his eight goals on just 22 shots this season. He ranks first in the Heartland Conference in points per game and is second in goals per game. Despite playing in just 12 games, he is also second in total goals scored.
Plagge (Jr., San Antonio) earned All-Midwest Region honors for the first time this season, being named to the second team. Plagge was named second team All-Heartland Conference. He set personal bests in goals, assists and points scored. He scored three goals and had a team-high five assists for 11 points. Plagge helped the Rattlers to an upset of St. Edward’s in the season finale, scoring the tying goal in a 2-1 win (11/4). In his career Plagge has played in 51 games, scoring seven goals and assisting on five.
St. Mary’s finished 8-11 overall this season and 5-5 in Heartland Conference play, good for third place in the conference. They had wins over the University of the Incarnate Word and St. Edward’s University, both of whom were regionally ranked this season. The eight wins ties for the most since the 2002 season.
Though Daktronics may not be a household word, the company is recognized worldwide in its industry as the leading designer and manufacturer of electronic scoreboards, programmable display systems, and large screen video displays using light emitting diode (LED) technology. Daktronics was founded in 1968 and has close ties to South Dakota State University in Brookings, S.D.