Nov. 10, 2005
EVANSTON, Ill. - Northwestern's Brad Napper (Dallas, Texas/Jesuit Prep), Brad North (The Woodlands, Texas/The Woodlands), David Roth (St. Louis, Mo./Chaminade College Prep) and Will Briley (Longview, Texas/Longview) garnered All-Big Ten honors, the conference announced Thursday. Napper and North earned first team honors, Roth was named to the second team and Briley received All-Freshman team honors.
Napper, who is the Big Ten record holder for goals by a defensive player, becomes the first player in program history to be named first team All-Big Ten in consecutive years. This season, Napper notched two goals and four points while marking some of the best offensive players in the country.
North has had his best season as a Wildcat in 2005. He led Northwestern with eight goals and 17 points this season, sending three scores home for game winners. North finished the regular season tied for second in the conference in goals and goals per game (.47). North is now tied for sixth on NU's goals-scored list, and eighth in career points, with 43.
Roth, a sophomore, earns second team All-Big Ten accolades a year after being named to the Big Ten All-Freshman Team. Roth tallied six assists this season, tying teammate Gerardo Alvarez for top spot on NU's career-assists list.
Briley started eight of nine games for the Wildcats and tied for the team lead with three shuouts and 31 saves against only 10 goals allowed. The 'Cats were 4-4-1 with Briley between the pipes this season.
The Big Ten also named senior Jaro Pylypczak (Lombard, Ill./Benet Academy) as a conference sportsmanship award nominee. The honorees are individuals who have distinguished themselves through sportsmanship and ethical behavior throughout the season. Pylypczak is now a candidate for the Big Ten's Sportsmanship Award, as the conference honors one male and female athlete from each institution at the end of the school year.