Soccer America Names Ibisevic National Freshman of the Year

Vedad Ibisevic

Soccer America has selected Saint Louis' Vedad Ibisevic (St. Louis, Mo. / Roosevelt) as its 2003 Men's College Freshman of the Year. The Billikens' forward joined teammate Will John (Kansas City, Mo. / Rockhurst) on the magazine's freshman All-America squad.

It is Ibisevic's second national Freshman of the Year award. Earlier this year, Ibisevic was named Soccer Times' national Freshman of the Year and a first-team All-America, an NSCAA first-team All-America, a Soccer America MVP, Conference USA's Freshman of the Year and a first-team All-Conference selection. College Soccer News placed Ibisevic on its third-team All-America squad.

Ibisevic tied for fourth nationally in scoring with 40 points (18G, 4A). He shattered Brian McBride's SLU freshman scoring records set in 1990 of 29 points and 12 goals.

John was the Bills' second-leading scorer with 23 points (9G, 5A), was named second-team All-Conference and to the All-Freshman team. He tied for the C-USA lead with five game winners.

The fourth-ranked Billikens won their fourth consecutive C-USA postseason tournament title, advanced to the NCAA Tournament quarterfinals and finished the year with a 15-4-3 record.

2003 SOCCER AMERICA FRESHMAN ALL-AMERICA TEAM
GK - Ryan Burke, Virginia
D - Greg Dalby, Notre Dame
D - Jed Zayner, Indiana
M - Brandon Owens, UCLA
M - Ramon Nunez, SMU
F - Jacob Peterson, Indiana
F - Willie Sims, CSU Northridge
F - Ashley Kozicki, St. John's
F - Will John, Saint Louis
F - Vedad Ibisevic, Saint Louis
F - Chad Barrett, UCLA