Four NIU soccer players were named to the first and second units of the 1989 Big Central All-Conference team, but coach Willy Roy was unsatisfied.

“To be quite honest, I was somewhat disappointed because we had the best team in the conference,” said Roy. “We showed that by winning the conference tournament, and to only have one player (Willy Roy Jr.) on the first team didn’t impress me at all.”

In addition to Roy Jr.‘s first-team selection, goalie Markus Roy, defender Karsten Roy and defender Frank Sparacino were named to the second team.

Roy Jr. led the Huskies in total points with 25 and assists with 11. Karsten Roy notched 10 goals and played a solid defensive game throughout the season. Sparacino tallied 18 points (six goals, six assists). Perhaps the most controversial decision by the BCSC coaches was the absence of Markus Roy on the first-team all-conference squad. In 20 games he maintained a 0.77 goals-against average that included 11 shutouts, 98 saves and a 14-4-2 record.

“I really thought Markus should have been picked for the first team,” said Sparacino. “I was a little bit surprised only four players were picked.”

Karsten Roy, who claimed a second-team selection last season, agreed with the thoughts of his teammate.

“I don’t think it was really fair to the whole team,” said Karsten, who called the absence of Markus on the first team was a real shock.

About the only reason coach Roy can come up with for his team’s poor all-conference showing is that NIU is leaving the BCSC next season. Because of this, most of the coaches probably avoided picking NIU players for the top spot so the conference can look as good as possible for next season, Roy said.

“I feel like it’s not the end of the world. It’s a plus,” said Roy. “I think it’s food for thought for next season.”

Wisconsin-Milwaukee, the team NIU beat in the championship round of the conference tournament, led all teams with four players on the first team and one on the second unit. Quincy landed four players on the first team even though the Hawks finished fourth in the BCSC tournament.

“The team that wins first place usually gets the most votes. That’s not the case this time,” said Roy. “We still ended up with four kids getting recognition. I think the (Big Central) is history for us.”