Jan. 12, 2010
By Jared Greenbaum
UCFAthletics.com
ORLANDO, Fla. (www.ucfathletics.com) - UCF men's soccer junior Yaron Bacher (Atlanta, Ga.) has been named to the 2009 Jewish Sports Review All-America First-Team, the publication announced in its January/February 2010 issue. Bacher was one of three midfielders named to the 12-member first-team.
In his second season with the Knights, Bacher took on the role as captain and helped a young team with 14 freshmen drastically improve offensively from the previous season. UCF tallied nine more goals (25 total) than the 2008 season, despite having three fewer games on the schedule. The Knights also outshot their opponents in 10 out of 16 games, increased their shot total by 63 and collected an impressive 20 more assists.
With four goals and three assists, Bacher was second on the Knights in scoring with eleven points. He also netted two game-winners, including the lone goal in a 1-0 victory over then league-leading Marshall on national television. The junior captain recorded 45 shots on the season, which was good for fourth in C-USA play.
At the end of the season, Bacher was named to the All Conference-USA second team along with teammate Kevan George. He was also recognized as UCF's Bright House Student-Athlete of the Week after his game-winner against Marshall.
One of the nation's youngest teams, UCF finished the 2009 season at 6-7-3 overall and 2-5-1 in C-USA play.
For the latest news on the Knights, log on to www.UCFAthletics.com - the official site for UCF varsity sports. The site, which also contains ticket and Golden Knights Club donor information, is also the home of UCF's new online apparel store. Also visit www.UCFPhotos.com, the exclusive fan source for UCF action sports pictures.
2009 JEWISH SPORTS REVIEW ALL-AMERICAN TEAM First Team
F: Charlie Reiter, Davidson
F: Brad Rose, Yale
F: David Znaty, UW Green Bay
F: Udi Naim, St. Peter's
MF: Yaron Bacher, UCF
MF: Jason Gorskie, Pennsylvania
MF: Yacov Rubinchik, Wofford
D: Adam Keller, Michigan
D: Josh Bienenfeld, Duke
D: Jake Levin, Pennsylvania
D: Drew Ratner, Northwestern
GK: Nils Binstock, Iona
GK: Zac MacMath, Maryland