Pochop named second team All-American, Alderson earns all-region honors

INDIANOLA, Iowa — The top scoring duo in the Iowa Conference throughout the 2017 season, Garrett Pochop and Tanner Alderson continue to collect accolades at season's end. Pochop became the first All-American in program history and Alderson earned third team all-region honors, as announced by the United Soccer Coaches.

Pochop landed on the All-America second team after earning first team all-region honors earlier in the week, while Alderson earned Third Team All-North Region accolades.

United Soccer Coaches All-Region Team | United Soccer Coaches All-America Team

It's the first time in 17 years Simpson has had multiple all-region honorees and the first time the men's soccer team has had an All-American. Pochop is the lone representative from the Iowa Conference on the All-America Team.

The back-to-back Iowa Conference Offensive MVP, Pochop scored 17 goals and handed out seven assists for an Iowa Conference-best 41 points in 2017. The senior forward from Pierre, S.D. also led the league in goals scored and became the school's career leader in goals and points, finishing with 49 goals and 116 points. His 18 career assists are good for sixth in school history.

Fabiano River and Aaron Ruff were the last Simpson players to earn first team all-region honors, earning the accolade back in 2000.

The league's second-leading goal scorer behind Pochop, Alderson earned third team honors after scoring 16 goals in 2017. The three-time IIAC Player of the Week ranked fifth in Division III with seven game-winning goals and came in at 21st in total goals. The sophomore forward from Parkville, Mo. had three, multi-goal games, including a three-goal effort in a 4-1 win over Grinnell on Sept. 13.