ST. LOUIS, Mo. – Grant Paskus (Indianapolis, Ind./Lawrence North) of the Northern Illinois University men's soccer team was named to the Missouri Valley Conference All-Freshman Team on Tuesday (Nov. 12) as the league office announced its all-conference teams. 

"It is fantastic for Grant to receive this honor, I'm delighted for him," said NIU head coach Ryan Swan. "I think it is well deserved. He had a really good year for us, and he showed improvement throughout the year. He looked a different player at the end of the year from where he was at the start, which is always good to see. I'm very happy for Grant and hope he goes on to greater success over his next three years with us."

Paskus appeared in all 16 games for the Huskies, making 13 starts. The Indianapolis, Ind., native recorded five points, which tied for fourth on the team. Paskus' first collegiate goal was an 89th minute game winner as the Huskies upended Belmont on the road, 1-0, on Oct. 25. Each of his three assists came during conference play as he recorded helpers against Evansville (Oct. 19), Drake (Nov. 1) and Bradley (Nov. 6). 

The freshman midfielder played the full 90 minutes in nine games this season, including seven of NIU's eight league games, and was sixth on the team in minutes played, logging 1,182 minutes. 

Paskus is the first Huskie to be named to the Missouri Valley All-Freshman Team, NIU is in its second season as a member of the conference.