UAA RELEASE

WESTERVILLE, Ohio – The University Athletic Association (UAA) announced its 2025 Men's Soccer All-Association Team on Tuesday morning, and the No. 12 Bears were well represented with seven players receiving honors.

Junior Quentin Gomez, first-year Daniel Kochen, and the WashU coaching staff headlined the awards for the Bears. Gomez earned UAA Defensive Player of the Year for the second year in a row in addition to being named to the first team. Kochen earned UAA Rookie of the Year honors while also being selected to the second team. Head Coach Andrew Bordelon and assistants Jack Mathis and Jake Leeker were named the UAA Coaching Staff of the Year after guiding the Bears to the 2025 UAA championship.

Junior Ethan Wirtschafter also earned a first-team nod, while junior Cal L'Hommedieu and first-year Sebastian Valdes earned second-team honors. First-year Jack Hayeems and sophomore Quentin Wallace received honorable mentions.

Gomez is the first player in association history to earn Defensive Player of the Year twice, Rookie of the Year honors before being named either offensive or defensive player of the year, and is only the second player to earn three major awards (Adam Hibshman, CMU, 00-02).

Heading into the first round of the NCAA Tournament, Gomez has guided the WashU defense to seven shutouts, including ones against three nationally-ranked teams, two of which were in the top three. He has helped WashU allow only 13 goals all season. Gomez has also been a spark on the offensive side of the pitch, scoring five goals, including the game-winner against then-No. 12 Brandeis. He played all 90 minutes in 11 of his 15 games this season.

Kochen initially came off the bench before earning a starting spot in the midfield. He has played in 13 contests with 10 starts. Kochen has scored seven goals, including five game-winners, and added an assist. His game-winners are not only the best on the team but also atop the UAA. He was named the UAA Offensive Player of the Week once this season.

Bordelon and his staff guided the Bears to their first UAA title and coaching staff honors since 2021 after leading them to a 13-3 overall regular-season record and a 5-2 mark in the conference. The Bears this season had seven shutouts and had a 10-game winning streak in the middle of the season.

This marks Wirtschafter's first-career nod after scoring 13 goals, including three game-winners, and recording an assist. He has played and started 15 games this season and currently has 27 points, the best on the Bears. His 13 goals are the most of any player in the UAA this season. He was named the UAA Offensive Player of the Week twice this season.

This is L'Hommedieu's first All-UAA honor. Earlier this fall, he was named the UAA Defensive Player of the Week in back-to-back weeks. He has started and played in all 16 of WashU's contests this season. L'Hommedieu has played every minute (1440:00) in goal for the Bears, making 47 saves. He has earned seven shutouts while finishing the regular season with a 13-3 record.

Valdes earned his honor after playing and starting all 16 games this season for the Bears. He scored one goal while assisting with seven others, tallying nine points.

Hayeems also played and started 16 contests for WashU this year. He was part of a midfield that helped the Bears score 37 goals this season. He played all 90 minutes all but three times this season.

Wallace was part of the defense that allowed just 13 goals all season while helping the Bears to seven shutouts. He played in 15 games, making 14 starts for WashU.

The Bears will travel to Wisconsin-Whitewater this weekend for their NCAA Regional. The regional also includes No. 3 Chicago and DePauw, in addition to the host Warhawks. WashU and Wisconsin-Whitewater will play on Saturday, Nov. 15 at 3:30 p.m. The winner of that game will play the winner of Chicago/DePauw on Sunday at 3 p.m.

-------

Elevating scholar-champions requires resources beyond the institutional budget. Through the W Club, generous alumni, parents, and friends provide unrestricted support that is essential to the extraordinary WashU student-athlete experience—and the ongoing growth and development of the department. Annual support for Athletics allows the Bears to consistently rise to national levels of competition and ensures that our student-athletes enjoy exceptional opportunities as they train, compete, and lead. To make a gift to the Annual Fund for Athletics, please visit our secure online giving form or contact the Athletics Advancement Office at athletics@wustl.edu.