The Rock Island, Ill., native was a leader for UW-Oshkosh this past season in many ways, posting team-best totals in goals (26), points (61) and game-winning goals (11). His efforts helped the Titans to a 20-2 record and a trip to the NCAA Division III Final Four. Despite missing the final two matches of the year due to a knee injury, Deopere averaged 1,30 goals per contest and 3.05 points per match to rank fourth and fifth in the NCAA Division III, respectively. His point total set a school mark, while his school-record goal total was the ninth-best in NCAA Division III annals. Deopere had eight multiple-goal matches during the 2000 campaign, including a school-record four in a 9-1 win over UW-Superior on Oct. 1.

In 1999, Deopere scored 19 goals and tallied 49 points to lead the Titans in both categories. UW-Oshkosh registered a 17-2-1 record behind Deopere's effort and advanced to the third round of the NCAA Division III Championship. He also recorded 14 goals and five assists in 1997 and 15 goals in 1998. Deopere led UW-Oshkosh in goals and points all four seasons.

A social work major, Deopere concluded his four-year career at UW-Oshkosh by ranking among the finest men's soccer players in NCAA Division III history. His 74 career goals and 173 career points, both school records, rank fifth and seventh in NCAA Division III history, respectively.

The A-League Riverhawks, who compiled a 2-23-3 record last year, will have exclusive negotiating rights with Deopere for two weeks, after which he becomes a free agent and may attend combines of other A-League teams. Deopere has already been asked to attend invitation-only combines in Minnesota, New York and Tennessee.

The A-League is the USL's showcase league, and there are 21 A-League franchises located in markets not occupied by Major League Soccer (MLS) teams. The leagues are entering the sixth year of an agreement that designates the USL as a marketing partner and a player development structure for the MLS.

The Riverhawks, who also selected forward R.J. Kaszuba of the University of Dayton and forward Dzevat Nikocaj of Francis Marion University in Friday's A-League Draft, open their 2001 season on April 28 by hosting the Milwaukee Rampage.

Deopere, who collected NCAA Division III All-America first team accolades in December, is the first UW-Oshkosh men's soccer player to receive national player of the year recognition. Other UW-Oshkosh athletes honored as the best in the NCAA Division III were Chris Delarwelle in baseball (1990), Tara Jaeger in women's track and field (1997), Tim Jorgensen in baseball (1994 & 1995), Rachel Milligan in women's track and field (1998), Melissa Mueller in women's track and field (1994), Melissa Oleson in women's track and field (1996), Wendy Wangerin in women's basketball (1996) and Amy Ward in women's volleyball (1996).

Deopere was a leader for UW-Oshkosh this past season in many ways, posting team-best totals in goals (26), points (61) and game-winning goals (11). His efforts helped the Titans to a 20-2 record and a trip to the NCAA Division III Final Four. Despite missing the final two matches of the year due to a knee injury, Deopere averaged 1,30 goals per contest and 3.05 points per match to rank fourth and fifth in the NCAA Division III, respectively. His point total set a school mark, while his school-record goal total was the ninth-best in NCAA Division III annals. The Rock Island, Ill., native had eight multiple-goal matches during the 2000 campaign, including a school-record four in a 9-1 win over UW-Superior on Oct. 1.

In 1999, Deopere scored 19 goals and tallied 49 points to lead the Titans in both categories. UW-Oshkosh registered a 17-2-1 record behind Deopere's effort and advanced to the third round of the NCAA Division III Championship. He also recorded 14 goals and five assists in 1997 and 15 goals in 1998. Deopere led UW-Oshkosh in goals and points all four seasons.

A social work major, Deopere concluded his four-year career at UW-Oshkosh by ranking among the finest men's soccer players in NCAA Division III history. His 74 career goals and 173 career points, both school records, rank fifth and seventh in NCAA Division III history, respectively.

Since the inception of the sport at UW-Oshkosh in 1984, the Titans have fashioned a 17-year record of 225-63-23 record and been a participant in NCAA Division III post-season play seven times.

Joining Bares as a region coach of the year recipient were David Brandt of Messiah College (Pa.), Dan Gilmore of Rowan University (N.J.), Ali Kazemaini of John Carroll University (Ohio), Perry Nizzi of Hamilton College (N.Y.), Mike Russo of Williams College (Mass.), Steve Shaw of Christopher Newport University (Va.) and Steve Simmons of Linfield College (Ore.).

The coaching accolade marks the third time that Bares has been honored by the NSCAA. In 1994, Bares received regional and national coach of the year recognition after leading the Titans to an 18-0-3 record and a trip to the Final Four.

This past season, Bares spirited UW-Oshkosh to its 16th consecutive winning season and an appearance in its seventh NCAA Division III Championship. UW-Oshkosh ran off a school-record 17 straight wins before falling 2-0 to Rowan University in the semifinal round of the NCAA Division III post-season event. The Titans advanced to the semifinals after defeating Marian College, Trinity University (Texas) and Christopher Newport University.

Statistically, Bares and his Titans ranked among the national leaders in several team categories. Among them were fifth in winning percentage (.909), fifth in goals against average (0.54), ninth in shutout percentage (.591) and 13th in scoring offense (3.41).

Bares began UW-Oshkosh's men's soccer program in 1984 and has built it into one of the finest in the NCAA Division III. During Bares' 17-year reign at UW-Oshkosh he has led the Titans to an impressive 225-62-23 record, including a 37-4-1 mark the past two seasons.

Bares is a 1976 graduate of UW-Stevens Point.

Rewarded for their efforts in leading the Titans to the Final Four, four UW-Oshkosh men's soccer players have received mention on the 36-member NCAA Division III All-Midwest Region honor squad. The all-region team is sponsored by adidas and selected by members of the National Soccer Coaches Association of America.

Receiving recognition from UW-Oshkosh were junior midfielder Matt Boehnen (Verona) and senior forward Scott Deopere (Rock Island, Ill.) as first team selections, senior midfielder Jeremy Arens (Cedarburg) as a second team pick and senior goalkeeper Rich Plier (Port Washington) as a third team choice. UW-Oshkosh led in the number of all-region selections, while Gustavus Adolphus College, Macalester College and Simpson College had three each.

Boehnen played in all 22 matches for the Titans, including 21 starts, and totaled four goals and a team-high 16 assists. His average of 0.73 assists per match ranked 11th in the NCAA Division III. In 1999, Boehnen ranked sixth in the NCAA Division III by averaging 0.85 assists per contest.

Playing in 20 matches, including 19 starts, Deopere compiled 26 goals and 61 points, both school records. Despite missing the final two matches of the season due to a knee injury, Deopere averaged 1.30 goals per contest and 3.05 points per match to rank fourth and fifth in the NCAA Division III, respectively. His 26 goals during the 2000 campaign were the ninth-highest total in NCAA Division III history. The 1999 NCAA Division III All-America second team selection concluded his UW-Oshkosh career with 74 goals and 173 points, both school records. In addition, his 74 career goals and 173 career points rank fifth and seventh in NCAA Division III annals, respectively.

Arens appeared in all 22 matches, including 21 starts, and recorded 10 goals and six assists. He was one of three double-figure goal-scorers on a UW-Oshkosh team that ranked 13th in the NCAA Division III by averaging 3.41 goals per match.

Plier started all 19 matches that he played in and registered a 0.50 goals against average, the fourth-best mark in the NCAA Division III. Plier allowed only nine goals during his nearly 1,633 minutes in the net, appearing in nine UW-Oshkosh shutouts. In 1999, he ranked 11th in the NCAA Division III with a 0.59 goals against average.

UW-Oshkosh compiled a 20-2 record this past season, highlighted by a semifinal round appearance in the NCAA Division III Championship. The Titans have posted a 37-4-1 record in their last 42 matches and a 225-62-23 mark during their 17 years as an intercollegiate sport.

Rowan University (24-1) scored both of its goals against the Titans within a 22-minute span of the second half. The Profs' John Sroka broke a scoreless contest by scoring his third goal of the year at the 46:15 mark. At the 67:59 mark, Bjoernar Froehaug made the Profs' lead 2-0 by recording his fifth goal of the season.

UW-Oshkosh, which had a quality chance early when freshman Joel DaPra's shot whistled wide of the goal, was outshot 9-8 in the match. Rowan University had very few legitimate scoring opportunities, but took full advantage two corner kicks which led to scores. The Titans dominated action for most of the match, primarily due to the play of junior midfielder Matt Boehnen and freshman midfielder Shane Lohr. Rowan University entered the contest averaging 3.9 goals per match, one of the top scoring marks in the NCAA Division III.

UW-Oshkosh competed in the semifinal round of the NCAA Division III Championship for the second time in school history. In 1994, UW-Oshkosh was eliminated from advancing to the national final by Bethany College via the penalty-kick tiebreaker. Overall, UW-Oshkosh concluded its seventh appearance in the NCAA Division III Championship, with previous participation in 1991, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996 and 1999.

UW-Oshkosh, 37-4-1 in its last 42 matches, saw its 17-match win streak end with its loss to first-time opponent Rowan University. Since UW-Oshkosh began its men's soccer program in 1984, the Titans have fashioned a 225-62-23 record, with all the matches played under the direction of 17th-year head coach Toby Bares.

The loss to Rowan University marked the final match for nine UW-Oshkosh seniors, including 1999 NCAA Division III All-America second team selection Scott Deopere. Deopere, who missed the Titans' final two matches of the 2000 season due to an injury after scoring a school-record 26 goals. His 74 career goals rank fifth in NCAA Division III history, while his 173 career points rank seventh in NCAA Division III annals.

UW-Oshkosh competes in the semifinal round of the NCAA Division III Championship for the second time in school history. In 1994, the Titans lost in the semifinals via the penalty-kick tiebreaker to eventual national champion Bethany College (W.Va.). Rowan University (N.J.), which won NCAA Division III titles in 1981 and 1990, is appearing in the semifinals for the seventh time. It is the third semifinal round appearance for Messiah College (Pa.) and the first for Linfield College (Ore.).

In the victory over Christopher Newport University, UW-Oshkosh led 1-0 at intermission as freshman Joel DaPra found the net at the 27:06 mark of the first half. The goal was his sixth of the year. Christopher Newport University (18-3-1) evened the score with sophomore Ryan Whinery's tally at the 60:33 mark of the second half.

Arens then helped the Titans gain control of the match, scoring at the 75:32 and 77:09 marks of the final period. The goals were his ninth and 10th of the season. UW-Oshkosh registered the final goal of the match as freshman Dominic Kasten entered the scoring column at the 88:48 mark. The goal was his fourth of the year.

UW-Oshkosh, 37-3-1 in its last 41 matches, is riding a school-record 17-match winning streak. The Titans' lone loss was to Otterbein College (Ohio), 3-2, on Sept. 10.