Horn earns Lowe’s Second Team honors

By David Thackham
thackhamd@mytjnow.com

Despite his popularity with the fans, Winthrop senior defender Matt Horn couldn’t win the hearts of the Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award voting panel. The veteran right-back finished first in the fan voting period of the men’s soccer national award, but lost out to Creighton University goalkeeper Brian Holt for the top spot after the coaches and media poll was factored in. 

The announcement and trophy presentation were made yesterday during the Men’s College Cup in Hoover, Ala. Holt (19-2) has led his team to a No. 2 national ranking and, heading into the NCAA championship, was leading the nation in goals against average (0.19 GAA) and save percentage. 

The Lowe’s Senior CLASS (Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School) award focuses on the total student-athlete and encourages success in the community, classroom, character and competition. 

Horn currently holds a 3.93 GPA, is the president of the Winthrop University Student Athletic Advisory Committee and has made the alternative Spring Break trip since 2008. 

The senior is one of the leaders in the Samaritan’s Feet project that helped gather 2,400-plus pairs of shoes, which helped Winthrop earn the Big South Conference’s Community Service Challenge for 2009-10 known as the Kallander Cup. Horn is a two-year team captain and has played in over 55 games for the Garnet and Gold. 

Regardless of the snub, Horn’s future can only get brighter. Two mock Major League Soccer draft websites predict either the New York Red Bulls or the San Jose Earthquakes will select him in the second round.