Dec. 1, 2005

VILLANOVA, Pa. - Three men's soccer players were placed on the Philadelphia Soccer Seven All-Star team the organization announced Thursday night at its annual banquet. Patrick Gallagher, Matt Sleece and Brett Stassfurth were all placed on the squad that includes fourteen members. In addition to the three team members, freshman forward Joe Taylor received Freshman of the Year honors.

This was Gallagher's second placement on the squad after leading the team to a 7-7-4 record and fourth place finish in the Big East Red Division. The senior co-captain scored two goals with one game winner. The defender was part of a defense that allowed 1.16 goals per game.

Sleece received his first nod to the Soccer Seven team after an outstanding sophomore campaign. The defender was also a large part of the defense that helped shutout No. 15 St. John's (1-0) and No. 18 Seton Hall (1-0, OT). Sleece registered one assist on the season.

Stassfurth was second on the team in goals scored this season with three. The senior and co-captain also had two assists for a total of eight points and one game winner. In the midfield, Stassfurth controlled the tempo of the game and team using his experience as a three-year starter for the Wildcats.

Taylor rounds out the postseason accolades for Villanova as the Soccer Seven Freshman of the Year. Taylor started 16 of 18 games played and led the team in points (11) and assists (5). He also ranked second on the squad in goals with three. The Southampton, Pa. native was named the Big East Rookie of the Week for the week of September 19th after scoring one goal and adding an assist against West Virginia as well as registering two assists against Pittsburgh.