January 24, 2007 - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE             

SMC Men’s Soccer Player Named 2^nd Team NJCAA All-American
Northwestern Grad Arroyo Scored 10 Goals, 13 Assists in 2006 Season

SPARTANBURG, SC -- A Spartanburg Methodist College soccer forward has been recognized as a National Junior College Athletic Association 2^nd team All-American. 

Nathan Arroyo, an SMC freshman from Rock Hill and former Northwestern High School soccer player, says that he was very excited to receive this honor. 

“Being named an All-American has been one my goals. I’m very happy to have received this recognition,” Arroyo says. 

During the 2006 fall season, Arroyo scored 10 goals, along with 13 assists, over 17 games. 

The NCJAA names 11 players annually to its 1^st, 2^nd, and honorable mention All-American soccer teams.  

“This shows that Nathan is in the Top 22 nationally in the NJCAA. It is a tremendous honor for him. I, along with all of his teammates, am very proud of him,” says SMC men’s and women’s soccer coach Dan Kenneally. 

Arroyo says he began playing soccer at age 5 when his father enrolled him in the sport. 

“I didn’t want to do it at first. But since then, I’ve grown to love it,” he says. He cites Ronald  Inho and C. Renaldo as two of his inspirations in the sport. 

During his high school career, Arroyo was named 2005 South Carolina AAAA Player of the Year. He scored 46 goals his junior year at Northwestern, along with 31 assists. 

Arroyo is currently looking to transfer to a four-year school for the 2007-2008 academic year. 

SMC athletic director Mark Perdue adds, “Nathan is an outstanding soccer player and it has been a privilege to have him in our program. We wish him all the best in the future.” 

The last SMC soccer players to receive All-American recognition were Courtney Prince, in 2004, and Sherwin Sergeant, in 2002.