Dec. 13, 2004

EVANSTON, Ill. -- Sophomore Gerardo Alvarez (Aurora, Ill./Marmion Academy) has been named a first-team All-Great Lakes Region selection by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) while junior Brad Napper (Dallas, Texas/Jesuit College Prep) has garnered third-team honors. The awards are Northwestern's first such accolades in the history of the program.

Alvarez finished the season at the top of the Big Ten scoring standings with 33 points. His 12 goals and nine assists comprised the second-highest point total in school history. In just two years, Alvarez ranks third in career scoring and fourth in career goals and assists at NU.

Napper, the Wildcats' second-ever first-team All-Big Ten selection, earned the third-team nod after scoring seven goals and anchoring a defense which gave up only 1.05 goals per game. Two of his scores proved to be match-winners.

The student-athletes join Head Coach Tim Lenahan -- who was named Great Lakes Region Coach of the Year -- in being honored by the NSCAA.