Men’s soccer standout Miles Robinson named first team NSCAA All-American

The postseason has been kind so far to Miles Robinson. The Syracuse Orange sophomore has been showered with praise, heaped with awards, and now can claim what is essentially the second most-coveted piece of hardware for a college soccer player. Robinson has been named by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) to their All-America First Team.

The year has been a standout one for the centerback. After helping facilitate the team’s deep run last season, Robinson picked up where he left off as a freshman, anchoring the defense. He parlayed an outstanding year into postseason accolades, and now a USMNT Under-20 call up for the December 17th and 19th friendlies against Costa Rica. He’s also still in the running for the MAC Hermann Trophy, given annually to the best player in college soccer.

Starting all 17 games he was eligible for, Miles was fifth on the team in scoring and tied for third in goals. He contributed to ten of the team’s eleven clean sheets, matching the second highest total in program history. If Syracuse kept advanced stats, I can only imagine he’d be near the team lead in successful tackles and aerial duels won as well as recoveries and interceptions.

Robinson becomes the eighth All-American in Syracuse program history and the fifth first team selection. Back in what was apparently a heyday, Vincent Black (1932, 1933) and John McEwan (1932) were honored with first team status. Bill Nelson (1952) and Alex Bono (2014) were the two others who have been first teamers. Julian Buescher was a second team selection in 2015 as well as Paul Young in 1992. Joe Papaleo was the final Orange to be named All-America in 1982 as the third team goalkeeper.

With the honors, Miles joins a trio of Wake Forest players on the first team, including midfielders Jacori Hayes and Ian Harkes and keeper Alex Ferrell. Other ACC All-Americans included Louisville’s Tim Kubel, UNC’s Cam Lindley and UVA’s Edward Opoku on the second team and Notre Dame’s Brandon Aubrey and Virginia Tech’s Marcelo Acuna on the third team.