After leading the NIU men’s soccer team with 18 points this year, freshman Curt Zastrow was named a Second Team Freshman All-American by College Soccer News.

Zastrow helped to turn around a Huskies squad that won just three games a year ago.

“What a big year for Curt and an important step for this program,” Huskies coach Steve Simmons said. “It legitimizes the progress we are making at Northern Illinois and makes our entire team hungry for more. An award like this is huge in every facet of what we do. We have already seen its impact with regards to recruiting.”

This season NIU finished 12-7-0 overall.

The North Freedom, Wisc., native had eight goals and two assists and was NIU’s first First-Team All-MAC performer since Peter Agrimson in 2001 and 2002. He was also named the MAC Newcomer of the Year.