LOS ANGELES – UCLA men's soccer players Erik Holt and Frankie Amaya have both been named to the 2018 United Soccer Coaches NCAA Division I Men's All-Far West Region Team.
Holt, a senior defender, was one of three backs named to the First Team. A three-time All-Pac-12 honoree, this is Holt's first career All-Region nod.
Amaya, a freshman midfielder, was placed on the Second Team. He was the lone frosh outfield player to make it to either the First or Second Team.
2018 represents the 10th time in the last 11 seasons that UCLA has had multiple All-Far West recipients. The Bruins boasted at least two All-Region picks each year from 2008-16. Since head coach Jorge Salcedo took over prior to the 2004 season, UCLA has had 42 players selected to the All-Region team.
Holt was a mainstay for the Bruins this past season, playing a team-high 1,684 minutes while starting in 19 games, one of just three UCLA players to start every game. Splitting time between center back and holding midfielder, he helped the Bruins record six shutouts and hold their opposition to one goal or fewer in 14 of 19 contests. Not just a defensive stopper, he was key to the Bruins' distribution, recording a career-best three assists this season. Earlier this season, he was named to the MAC Hermann Award Watch List and First Team All-Pac-12, and he was also a nominee for Pac-12 Player of the Year and Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year.
The first freshman Bruin to take home First Team All-Pac-12 honors since Jose Hernandez in 2015, Amaya put forth an eye-catching performance in 2018 despite being hampered by an injury early in the year and missing time on two separate occasions to join the U.S. U-20 Men's National Team. A Santa Ana, Calif. native, Amaya had a relatively modest stat line (two goals, two assists over 14 appearances and 10 starts) but was a key distributor for the Bruins and kept opponents off-balance with his blend of ball control, quickness, and creativity. In November, he helped the U.S. to a second straight CONCACAF U-20 title, ensuring a spot in next year's U-20 World Cup.