IUMS 2016 B1G Awards

[Class of '66 Old Fart 81,108]

B1G Press Release:   Thompson Headlines Indiana’s All-Big Ten Selections

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – The Big Ten Conference announced the 2016 men's soccer All-Big Ten teams on Friday, with Indiana University's Tanner Thompson, Grant Lillard, Richard Ballard, Andrew Gutman and Derek Creviston earning conference accolades.
 
Thompson repeated as the Big Ten Midfielder of the Year, earning First-Team All-Big Ten honors for the third-straight season. Joining Thompson on the first team for the second-straight year was Lillard, while Gutman was named Second-Team All-Big Ten along with Ballard. Creviston was named IU's Sportsmanship Award honoree.
 
 "These individual awards are a reflection of the hard work and success we have had as a team throughout the regular season," IU head coach Todd Yeagley said. "I am very happy to see Richard and Derek honored this year for all the work they have put into our program over the past five years.  They have been great leaders and teammates and both were key members of our 2012 National Championship team. 
 
"Grant and Andrew have been instrumental in helping our team be among the nation's best defensively. Tanner has had a wonderful career at IU and he is playing at his best as we enter the championship phase of the year. Tanner will leave IU as one of our all-time greats in his position. All of our 2016 honorees represent IU Soccer and Indiana University with distinction."
 
Thompson has had a tremendous year for the Hoosiers, as the senior leads the team with 18 points on the strength of eight goals and two assists. The Loomis, Calif. native has been clutch for IU this year, netting four game winners. Thompson was just one of four unanimous selections to the All-Big Ten First Team and is the first two-time winner of Midfielder of the Year in conference history.
 
One of the best defenders in the nation, Lillard has been a stalwart on the IU backline this season. The Hinsdale, Ill. product has helped Indiana rack up a Big Ten-best nine shutouts this season, while scoring a pair of goals to go with one assist. The junior has also helped the Hoosiers record the ninth-best shutout percentage in the country at 0.53 so far this season.
 
Gutman earned Second-Team All-Big Ten honors for the second-straight year, as the sophomore has been a consistent presence for the Hoosiers defense this season. The Hinsdale, Ill. native has helped IU post a 0.71 goals against average this year, ranking 18^th in the nation and second-best in the league. Gutman also has one goal and two assists so far in 2016.
 
Earning Big Ten honors for the first time in his career, Ballard saved his best season for last. The Louisville, Ky. product earned Second-Team All-Big Ten honors after scoring four goals and dishing out one assist this season.
 
A leader on and off the field for the Hoosiers, Creviston was named IU's Sportsmanship Award honoree. For his career, Creviston has appeared in 59 matches for the Hoosiers on the defense, notching one goal and one assist. 
 
The No. 5-ranked Indiana Hoosiers will host the Northwestern Wildcats in the Big Ten Tournament quarterfinals on Sunday, Nov. 6 at 1:00 p.m. ET at Jerry Yeagley Field at Bill Armstrong Stadium. Tickets for the match can be purchased at IUHoosiers.com.