Nov. 19, 2009

TopDrawSoccer.com's Team and Player of the Season

BERKELEY - California junior defender A.J. Soares earned a third-team berth on Top Drawer Soccer's Team of the Season, the national Web site announced on Thursday. Soares, who earned a spot on the All-Pac-10 first team on Nov. 17, was a steadying force on a backline decimated by injuries this season. He was the only defender who started all 18 games for the Golden Bears, who ended their year with a 9-8-1 record (3-6-1 Pac-10).

The Solana Beach, Calif., product also made an impact offensively, as he scored a career-high seven points to tie for fourth on the team. Soares scored a career-high three goals, added one assist and converted the Bears' two successful penalty kicks of the season.

Soares was involved in every goal in a 3-0 win over San Francisco on Sept. 17 in the Dons' Negoesco Stadium. He assisted on Davis Paul's game-winning strike, scored on a penalty kick and volleyed in Demitrius Omphroy's corner kick.

He also scored a goal in Cal's 2-2 tie with San Diego State on Oct. 18 in San Diego.