Wagner, Lipovac Named To All-Academic Team

AUGUSTA, Ga. – Weeks removed from putting the lid on its 2009 campaign, the postseason honors continued for the UNCP men’s soccer team on Monday as Ian Wagner and Dragan Lipovac were among 22 Peach Belt Conference student-athletes named to the 2009 PBC Men’s Soccer All-Academic Team, the league office announced.

A first team selection, Wagner garners the honor for the second-straight season while Lipovac, a member of the second team, carries the high award for the first time in his still-young career. Both played integral parts of the success of the Braves on the field over the course of the most recent campaign as well.

Having maintained a 3.89 cumulative grade point average as a finance major at UNCP, Wagner played in eight games this season, including five starts and logged four shots, including one on target. Lipovac appeared in 13 games (two starts) for the Black and Gold and registered the game-winning assist on Eirik Torgerson’s Golden Goal in a double overtime victory against PBC foe Georgia Southwestern.

The team is part of a season-long program recognizing the outstanding accomplishments of PBC student-athletes in the classroom as well as on the field. To be eligible for the All-Academic team, a student-athlete must 1) participate in at least half of his/her team’s events and be either a starter or significant contributor; 2) achieved a 3.20 cumulative grade point average (on a 4.0 scale) and 3) completed at least one full academic year at his or her current institution. The Peach Belt Conference Sports Information Directors oversee and select the teams.

Founded in 1991, the Peach Belt Conference is home to 26 NCAA Division II National Championships. 13 member institutions in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida and Alabama compete in 13 championship sports. 2009-10 members are Augusta State University, Armstrong Atlantic State University, Clayton State University, Columbus State University, Flagler College, Francis Marion University, Georgia College & State University, Georgia Southwestern State University, Lander University, University of Montevallo, North Georgia College & State University, University of North Carolina at Pembroke and the University of South Carolina Aiken.