Taranto, Gazda named to All-Region team

BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Lehigh men’s soccer received some national recognition Tuesday when the National Soccer Coaches Association of America announced its All-Region teams. Senior midfielder Adam Gazda was selected to the second team and senior forward Jim Taranto took home third team honors for the Mid-Atlantic Region. Taranto and Gazda already earned the recognition from their league at the end of the season, as both were named First Team All-Patriot League for their performances. Now that honor is being bestowed by an even more select group.

“It's always a great honor to be selected to the All-Region team which is representative of the players in the A-10 and Patriot League," Lehigh head coach Dean Koski said. "Adam and Jimmy were very deserving of this distinction and I know that they are flattered by the recognition."

Gazda and Taranto tied for the team lead on the Mountain Hawks with 15 points on the season. Gazda’s impact was showed more for his goal scoring abilities, driving home a team-high six goals, including two game-winners. The senior midfielder was also the primary weapon on Lehigh’s set pieces, taking nearly every corner and free kick. Gazda wasn’t just a goal-scorer for the Mountain Hawks though, registering three assists and becoming a main catalyst for Lehigh on both the offensive and defensive ends.

This is the first time Gazda’s name appeared on the All-Region team. He was selected to the All-Patriot League team for the second time in November.

While playing as a forward, Taranto gained more of a reputation as a distributor in 2008. The senior led the Brown and White and finished second in the league with seven assists on the season. Taranto also tied for second on the team with four goals on the season, including one game winner, and his 33 shots were second on the team as well.

The honor marks the second time Taranto has been named to the All-Region team. The forward received the honor in his first season with Lehigh in 2006 when he scored eight goals and added four assists for a team that advanced to the Sweet 16 in the NCAA Tournament.

Gazda and Taranto helped lead a Mountain Hawks team finished the season with a 7-7-3 record and a 2-3-2 mark in league play in 2008.

2008 All-Mid-Atlantic Region

	First Team
GK	Zachary	Simmons*	Sr	University of Massachusetts
D	Calum	Angus**	Sr	Saint Louis University
D	Gerry	Dickinson	Sr	College of the Holy Cross
D	John	Pardini***	Sr	Fordham University
F	Florian	Decamps	Sr	University of Dayton
F	Chris	Salvaggione*	Sr	Univ. of North Carolina-Charlotte
F	Alex	Weekes	Jr	Colgate University
M	Ben	Arikian	So	University of Massachusetts
M	J.T.	Noone	Jr	Temple University
M	Kyle	Patterson*	Sr	Saint Louis University
M	Andy	Stadler	Jr	George Washington University
	Second Team
GK	David	Cappuccio*	Sr	Colgate University
D	Chris	Brown	Sr	University of Massachusetts
D	Alejandro	Melean	Sr	College of the Holy Cross
D	Tim	Ream**	Jr	Saint Louis University
D	Glenn	Volk	Sr	Colgate University
F	BJ	Glenn	So	Lafayette College
F	Alex	Torda*	Jr	University of Dayton
F	Tyler	Witmer	Fr	Temple University
M	Brandon	Barklage	Sr	Saint Louis University
M	Adam	Gazda	Sr	Lehigh University
M	Conor	O'Brien*	Jr	Bucknell University
	Third Team
GK	Ryan	Meara	Fr	Fordham University
D	Cooper	Bryant	Jr	American University
D	Ryan	Handbury*	Jr	University of Dayton
D	James	Suevo	Sr	Temple University
D	Rob	Viviano	Jr	Saint Louis University
F	Andres	Cuero	So	Univ. of North Carolina-Charlotte
F	Erkko	Puranen	Fr	University of Rhode Island
F	James	Taranto*	Sr	Lehigh University
M	Mike	DeSantis	Sr	University of Massachusetts
M	Stefan	Lundberg	So	Duquesne University
M	Chris	Ross	Jr	Colgate University
	* Indicates previous selection

Completed Event: Men's Soccer versus #6 Lafayette on November 15, 2025 , Tie , 1, to, 1

Completed Event: Men's Soccer versus #4 Boston University on November 11, 2025 , Win , 1, to, 0

Completed Event: Men's Soccer versus Lafayette on November 4, 2025 , Tie , 1, to, 1

Completed Event: Men's Soccer at Colgate on October 31, 2025 , Tie , 0, to, 0

Completed Event: Men's Soccer at Boston University on October 25, 2025 , Win , 2, to, 0

Completed Event: Men's Soccer versus Seton Hall on October 21, 2025 , Loss , 1, to, 5

Completed Event: Men's Soccer versus Bucknell on October 18, 2025 , Win , 2, to, 1

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