ASHLAND Ore. – Adrian Villegas made Southern Oregon University men's soccer history one last time Monday when he was named to the NAIA All-America third team.
Villegas, a senior midfielder/forward from Hood River, is the first All-American in the nine-year history of SOU's program. Previously, he had received honorable mention as a freshman and teammate Alan Gaytan matched the feat last year.
Villegas raised the bar in his final season with 15 goals and 11 assists, becoming the first Cascade Conference player to reach those numbers since 2016. He was one of just three players in the NAIA with at least 15 goals and 10 assists, and he ranked second nationally in game-winning goals with seven.
He was consistently prolific with at least one point in 16 of 21 games played, leading the Raiders to a CCC regular season title, a No. 20 final ranking and a spot in the second round of the NAIA Championships. His CCC Offensive Player of the Year award was the first ever for SOU.
Villegas completed his SOU career with 35 goals, tied with Gaytan for the most in program history, and a team-record 24 assists.
In five seasons with Villegas on the roster (including the abbreviated 2020-21 campaign), the Raiders went 70-16-5.