Dec. 9, 2003

Los Angeles, Calif., - Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2003 - Two Loyola Marymount University men's soccer athletes have garnered NSCAA All-Far West Region honors. Senior Michael Erush garnered first-team honors while senior Kevin Novak was named to the second-team. The awards are the first NSCAA postseason awards for both athletes.

Erush, a defender from Van Nuys, Calif., finished his career at LMU with six goals, 16 assists and 28 points. His all-time assists total ranks him third in the career record book at LMU while his 28 points puts him ninth on the all-time list. Among his list of accolades this year are: All-West Coast Conference first-team member, a Soccer America National Team of the Week award, the Falcon Invitational Most Outstanding Defender award and a spot on the Falcon Invitational all-tournament team. Erush's seven assists on the year tied for the team lead and tied for third best in the West Coast Conference.

Novak, a midfielder from Huntington Beach, Calif., earned his first-ever NSCAA award for his stellar offensive performance. He finished the year as the Lions' leading scorer with nine goals and 19 points despite sitting out the last six games with a knee injury. Novak garnered All-WCC honorable mention accolades for his performance in the first half of the season. He also received LMU Fall Classic and Falcon Invitational all-tournament awards, WCC Player of the Week and Player of the Month honors, as well as being named to the College Soccer News and Soccer America National Teams of the Week. Novak leaves LMU ranked second in career goals scored (23), third in career points (54) and tied for 10th in career assists (8).

Loyola Marymount made its third consecutive postseason appearance this year and received its first-ever first round bye. After a second round loss to Santa Clara, the Lions ended their season with a record of 12-7-1 overall and 3-3-0 in the WCC.

-GO LIONS-