Canadian Kyle Hiebert named to United Soccer Coaches' all-American first team

Missouri State defender Kyle Hiebert is shown during the MVC men's semifinal against Bradley in Springfield, Mo., in this April 13, 2021 handout photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO - Missouri State University Office of Visual Media, Jesse Scheve

Canadian Kyle Hiebert, a senior defender at Missouri State, has been named to the United Soccer Coaches' NCAA Division I first-team all-American squad for the second straight year

The 24-year-old from La Salle, Man., anchored a Missouri State backline that helped the Bears to their third straight Missouri Valley Conference regular-season title.

He appeared in all 19 games, including 18 starts, and recorded a team-high 1,625 minutes this season while adding a career-high three goals. Missouri State had 10 shutouts this season and a .573 goals-against average.

Hiebert, who previously was also named to the all-American second team, is the first-ever Missouri Valley Conference player to win three straight Defensive Player of the Year awards.

Earlier this week, Hiebert was chosen one of 15 men's semifinalists for the MAC Hermann Trophy, awarded annually to the top NCAA soccer player. It's the second year in a row he has made the final 15.

Canadian goalkeeper Luka Gavran was named to the United Soccer Coaches' all-American third team.

The six-foot-six Hamilton native, a redshirt junior at St. John's University, was the Big East goalkeeper of the year.

He started all 20 games for the Red Storm this season, posting an 11-6-3 record with 12 shutouts, a 0.57 goals-against average and .844 save percentage.

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This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 9, 2021