Missouri State senior goalkeeper Alex Riggs was named the Missouri Valley Conference Goalkeeper of the Year. He also was one of five Missouri State men’s soccer players named to all-conference teams. Riggs and junior defender Gerard Barbero were named to first-team All-MVC. Fellow juniors Heath Melugin and Jordan Hoffman were named to the second team and honorable mention squads, respectively. Dan Williams received an MVC All-Freshman nod.
Riggs, the 2009 MVC Defensive Player of the Year, was selected to the All-MVC first team for the third consecutive season. Twice this season, October 11 and October 25, and six times in his career, he was named the MVC Defensive Player of the Week.
Riggs currently leads the MVC in goal against average (0.66), save percentage (.864) and shutouts (9). Six of his shutouts this season have come against conference foes. He ranks second on the Missouri State career list in shutouts (23), goals against average (0.91), saves (273), matches started in net (61) and minutes played in goal (5,844).
Barbero made the position switch from midfielder to defender this season. He also has scored five goals, added three assists and totaled 13 points, second on the team in each category.
Missouri State will face SIU Edwardsville at 3:00 p.m. in Friday’s first semifinal match. The league’s championship match will take place this Sunday, Nov. 14 at 1:06 p.m.
