Complete All-MIAC Team

WINONA, Minn. — Gunnar Knutson (Minneapolis, Min.) was one of the unsung heroes for the Saint Mary's University men's soccer team.

After all, as a defender, Knutson's name rarely appeared in the box score. In fact, through his first two seasons at SMU, Knutson has scored just once, netting his first collegiate goal in the Cardinals' final game of the 2010 season.

But, while he may not have made a name for himself as a high-profile goal scorer, his ability to shut down opponents' top goal-scoring threats certainly turned a few heads and raised a few eyebrows.

And the Cardinal sophomore was rewarded for his stellar defensive efforts Wednesday, earning All-Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference honorable-mention honors.

Knutson started 17 of the Cardinals' 18 games in 2010, helping SMU compile a 2.32 goals-against-average, while also scoring that first collegiate goal in the Cardinals' season finale against St. Thomas.

Regular-season champion Macalester and conference playoff champion Augsburg each placed three players on the MIAC All-Conference team. James Gilmer of Augsburg was named MIAC Player of the Year, while Augsburg head coach Greg Holker was tabbed the conference's Coach of the Year. Holker guided the Auggies to a 15-4-1 record, the MIAC playoff championship and a trip to the NCAA Division III national tournament.

As part of a conference-wide sportsmanship initiative, the MIAC also announced the fourth annual All-MIAC Sportsmanship team for women's soccer, which included SMU's Kameron McKeeth (Woodstock, Ga.). Members of the All-MIAC Sportsmanship team are selected by their coaches and teammates, as individuals who demonstrate ideals of positive sportsmanship both on and off the field of competition.