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Four Named All-Region in Soccer

Four members of the Muhlenberg men's soccer team earned All-Region V recognition from United Soccer Coaches.

Four members of the Muhlenberg men's soccer team earned All-Region V recognition from United Soccer Coaches.

Senior midfielder Chris Richards made the first team, senior forward Taylan Akdag was selected to the second team, and sophomore goalie Ben Mulford and freshman back Sam Roberts earned spots on the third team.

The four all-region selections are the most for the Mules since 2014, when five were honored.

Richards was a first-team pick for the second straight year, making him the first Muhlenberg soccer player to earn all-region laurels in back-to-back years since two did in 2009 and 2010. A four-time All-Centennial Conference selection (first team three times), Richards recorded 10 points in 2023 and ended his career ninth on the program's all-time scoring list with 83 points on 34 goals and 15 assists. 

Like Richards, Akdag repeated his 2022 all-region spot, becoming the first Mule forward to make all-region in consecutive years since 2004, and the first to be second team or higher in two straight years since 1995. Akdag led Muhlenberg with 20 points on 7 goals and 6 assists and finished his career with 72 points on 23 goals and 26 assists, with the latter total ranking fourth in program history.

Mulford is the first Mule goalie to earn all-region honors since 2014 and the first ever to make the all-region team as a sophomore. Mulford started every game in goal and leads the CC with a 0.75 goals-against average while ranking third in save percentage (.774). He allowed more than one goal only twice in 19 games.

Roberts, the CC rookie of the year, achieved an extraordinary feat by earning all-region honors in his first season of college soccer. Not only was he the only first-year to land on the All-Region V team, but he was also one of only eight freshmen so honored across Division III, and five of the other seven were forwards. Roberts is the first Muhlenberg freshman to make the all-region team since 1986. He started all 19 games at center back in his first collegiate season and was a key part of a defense that allowed only 14 goals, the Mules' fewest in a full season since 2014.

Muhlenberg compiled a 13-4-2 record in 2023, finishing third in the CC in the regular season and advancing to the CC championship game for the second year in a row.

Players Mentioned

Taylan Akdag

F
6' 3"
Senior

Ben Mulford

G
6' 5"
Sophomore

Chris Richards

M
5' 10"
Senior

Sam Roberts

B
6' 2"
Freshman

Players Mentioned

Taylan Akdag

6' 3"
Senior
F

Ben Mulford

6' 5"
Sophomore
G

Chris Richards

5' 10"
Senior
M

Sam Roberts

6' 2"
Freshman
B