Dec. 12, 2008

PHILADELPHIA - Junior midfielder J.T. Noone became the first Temple University men's soccer player to earn All-America honors in 22 years with his selection to the 2008 National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Second Team All-America squad. Noone is the first Owl to garner All-America recognition by the NSCAA since 1986 when midfielder Steffen Hausner was named Third Team All-America by the NSCAA.

"This is a much-deserved honor for JT and the Temple program," said Temple men's soccer coach David MacWilliams. "His unselfish play was a major factor in our team's success. He is truly one of the elite players in college soccer."

"This is a tremendous honor and something I would not have been able to accomplish without the help and support of my coaches and teammates," said Noone. "Receiving this award caps an incredible season for Temple soccer."

Noone, a native of Harrisburg, Pa (Central Dauphin), posted record breaking numbers this season for the Owls. His 12 assists set a school mark, breaking the previous mark of nine set by Tony Donatelli in 2004. A starter in every game for the Cherry and White, Noone led the Atlantic 10 in assists and assists per game, as well as ranking third nationally in assists per game. The midfielder tallied seven goals, and led the team in points with 26.

Noone, an economics major with a 3.88 cumulative grade point average, was also named to the 2008 NSCAA/adidas Senior College Men's Scholar All-America Soccer Team as well as ESPN The Magazine's First Team Academic All-America.

Noone was one of three Temple men's soccer standouts to be named to the 2008 NSCAA All-Atlantic Region Team. Noone, a first team selection, was joined by freshman forward Tyler Witmer, a second team honoree, and senior defenseman James Suevo, who earned a spot on the third team.

Witmer made his mark in his first college season, leading the Owls in goals with eight. He was honored as Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Week three times, twice in the month of September. A graduate of Conrad Weiser High in Wernersville, Pa, Witmer was ranked fifth in the A-10 in goals scored, and eighth in points with 17.

Suevo, a Philadelphia native (Calvert Christian Academy), spearheaded an Owl defensive unit that recorded nine shutouts while allowing 0.94 goals against average. In his final season with the Cherry and White, Suevo made every start, posting three goals.