Calvin senior Hunter Olson has been named the National Midfielder of the Year by D3soccer.com.
In addition, Olson has been named to the D3soccer.com All-America First Team while senior forward Ian Adams has been named to the D3soccer.com All-America Third Team.
A native of Canton and a graduate of Canton High School, Olson recently completed a standout four-year soccer career. In the wake of losing three All-Americans to graduation, co-captain Olson provided the leadership and production needed for Calvin to remain title contenders and make a return to the Final Four for the second straight season. The attacking midfielder was efficient in front of goal, converting on 23 percent of his shots to lead the Knights in scoring with 16 tallies. As a playmaker, Olson was credited with 10 assists, none bigger than when he set-up the double-overtime game-winner against North Park in the Sweet 16 stage of the NCAA Tournament. A day later he helped ensure a return to Greensboro by assisting on a pair of first-half goals against Luther before scoring one of his own. The three-time All-MIAA first team selection was named this year's MIAA Most Valuable Player.
Olson finished his career with 46 goals, 28 assists and 120 points. He ranks sixth on the Calvin career list in goals and points. This past December, Olson was named a United Soccer Coaches Division III All-American.
Adams is from Grand Rapids and a graduate of Grand Rapids Christian High School. A winger, He was named to the All-MIAA First Team, the United Soccer Coaches All-Region First Team and the United Soccer Coaches All-America second team this fall. He had eight goals, 17 assists and 33 points on the season. He was ranked second nationally in assists. Adams banged in the game-winning goal in a 1-0 double-overtime victory over North Park on November 22 in an NCAA III Tournament Round of 16 match. He shares the Calvin career lead in assists (45). Three of his eight goals this year were game-winners. Last month Adams was named to the United Soccer Coaches Division III All-America Second Team.
Olson and Adams were part of a Calvin team that reached the NCAA III National Semifinals for the third time in four years with the Knights completing the season with an overall record of 23-2-1.
Calvin finished the year ranked third in the final D3soccer.com and United Soccer Coaches Association Top 25 polls of the year.
Information provided by Calvin University athletics
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