After a successful season for the Sacramento State men’s soccer team that saw a school-record 12 wins, a berth in the NCAA tournament and a first-round win against Loyola Marymount University, the accolades keep pouring in.

The Mountain Pacific Sports Federation tournament champion Hornets can add four academic All-Conference awards to their list of achievements.Senior Kyle Beasley, redshirt sophomore Adam Bettencourt, senior Scott Crandall, and redshirt freshman Oscar Torrico were all named to the 36-member All-MPSF academic team.

To be eligible for the honor, student-athletes must have a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0, sophomore standing, a full academic year at the school and participated in at least half of the team’s games.

Beasley is an academic team veteran, receiving the honor all three times he has been eligible. He started 18 games at defender and defensive midfielder. Beasley was also named to ESPN the Magazine’s academic All-District first team.

“I have always taken school seriously,” Beasley said. “(I know school) will open doors for me in life after soccer.”

Beasley said he hopes to go back and further his education by either getting a master’s or a doctorate. The senior was also extremely happy with how the season went for the Hornets.

“Can’t really go out any better, especially after seeing how far we have come,” Beasley said. “During my time here this is the best we have ever done and I couldn’t ask for a better way to (end my career).”

Bettencourt, a construction management major, is on the All-Academic team for the second-straight year.

“It’s an achievement that I strive for every year,” he said. “It shows the perfect balance between academics and athletics.”

Bettencourt said he hopes to pursue a professional soccer career when he graduates, but he wants to use his degree in the construction industry.

Crandall, an organizational communications major, was the fourth-leading scorer for the Hornets this season with four goals from the midfield position.

This is Crandall’s first academic All-Conference honor.

“(Being named academic all-conference) shows that I am a student-athlete, I put my time in on and off the field,” Crandall said. “It is hard to get good grades while you are traveling, competing and practicing. It shows me that I can excel at the class room and also on the soccer field.”

He hopes to enter the work force upon graduation but has not ruled returning to school.

Torrico, a sociology major, started 19 games this season and was a defensive standout. He is also a first-time member of the academic team. “It’s a pretty big honor, I was pretty happy about it,” Torrico said. “Along with my three teammates I think it’s pretty big and it means a lot to me.”

Torrico will be returning to the team next year where he will be relied on as a force on the defensive side of the field.

“Next year I will bring a positive attitude, hard work and hopefully the ability to push my team and my teammates to get better, improve and have a better season,” Torrico said.

This season will always hold a special place for all of the members of this team.

“It meant a lot,” Crandall said. “I have been playing soccer longer than most of these guys. I served a mission for my church so I’m a little bit older than the guys. So I really appreciated having the season that we had because it was my last year. It makes everything more memorable – going out on a high note. We played hard and left it out on the field. It feels good to work hard and play hard and have the success that we had this season and that’s all you can really ask for.”

Ross Coleman can be reached at [email protected]