Sippola, Hedges Receive NSCAA All-America Honors

KANSAS CITY, Kan. -- Butler senior midfielder Ben Sippola and junior defender Matt Hedges were named All-America by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America.  Sippola received first team accolades, while Hedges was selected to the second team.

Collectively, Sippola and Hedges helped lead the Bulldogs to a 16-1-3 season, collecting Horizon League regular season and tournament championships.  The No. 13 national seed, Butler entered the NCAA Tournament as one of only two unbeaten teams in the nation, receiving a bye to the second round.

Sippola received Horizon League Player of the Year honors, pacing the League in assists (9) while finishing second in points (25).  Sippola’s eight goals tied for third in the Horizon League.

Hedges earned his second consecutive Horizon League Defensive Player of the Year award, leading a Butler back line that allowed just 11 goals on the year.  The 6-foot-4 Hedges was an offensive force on Butler's set pieces, coming up with five goals and 12 points on the year.

The pair will be honored during the NSCAA Convention in Baltimore, Md., on Jan. 15, during the All-America Luncheon.