ANNAPOLIS, Md. – Navy men's soccer senior defender
Matt Nocita (Porter Ranch, Calif.) has been named a First-Team Academic All-American by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA), the national organization announced Friday.
Nocita becomes just the third Midshipman in program history to be named a First-Team Academic All-American, joining Donald Field (1997) and Sam Miller (2011). Additionally, the senior standout becomes just the third Navy men's soccer player to earn Academic All-American honors twice in their career, following Field, Miller and Eric Wootten (2011-12) after being named a Second-Team Academic All-American following the 2020-21 season.
Nocita was selected as the Patriot League Defensive Player of the Year this fall, becoming the first Patriot League men's soccer player to garner the honor three times. Additionally, Nocita earned First-Team All-Patriot League honors for the third time and was named to the Patriot League All-Academic team for the second-straight year.
The senior was one of only seven players to start all 19 games for the Midshipmen in 2021, leading a defense that allowed just 20 goals for an average of 1.05 per game in addition to recording 10 shutouts. Nocita also contributed offensively this season, posting four points on two goals that were both game-winning scores.
Over his four seasons with the Navy men's soccer program, Nocita has compiled one of the most decorated resumes' in program history, starting all 59 games he appeared in at center back, tallying 14 points on six goals and two assists.
For his efforts on the pitch, Nocita garnered All-Patriot League honors in each of his four seasons, along with earning recognition from the United Soccer Coaches organization as a three-time All-Atlantic Region honoree.
In the classroom, Nocita has excelled as a history major with a 3.58 GPA in addition to ranking in the top five percent of the Class of 2022 in the Naval Academy's Military Order of Merit. The senior has been named to the Naval Academy Superintendent's List three times, Commandant's List four times and Dean's List twice.
