UM star garners accolades Bears’ Matt King All-America pick

The postseason honors keep on rolling in for University of Maine senior Matt King, as he earned two more football awards Tuesday.

King was named a first-team All-American by both the American Football Coaches Association and Walter Camp committees while also being invited to play in the Inta-Juice College Football All-Star Game in Houston on Jan. 13.

In addition to those honors, King previously was named a first-team All-Atlantic 10 selection and a semifinalist for the Buck Buchanan Award, handed out yearly to Division I-AA’s top defensive player.

King becomes the second Black Bear to be invited to an All-Star game this season, joining Daren Stone, who will play in the Hula Bowl in Honolulu on January 14.

The Inta-Juice game will be televised on ESPN2-TV.

King finished the regular season ranked second in the nation in quarterback sacks with 11.5, averaging 1.05 per game. His season total was the second highest in UMaine history.

In addition to his 11.5 sacks, King recorded 18 tackles for a loss this past fall, which led the Atlantic 10.

The tri-captain anchored a Black Bear defense which finished the regular season first in the nation in rushing defense (63.91 yards), second in total defense (229.91), third in sacks (3.45) and seventh in scoring defense (13.09).

Harper, Phillips earn honors

UMaine women’s soccer players Laura Harper and Jasmine Phillips were each named to the Soccer Buzz Northeast Region Second Team.

Harper led both the Black Bears and America East in scoring with 11 goals and two assists. She has also been named to the NCAA Division I Northeast Regional Second Team, America East First Team and All-Academic team.

Goaltender Phillips recorded a 14-4-2 record on the season, recording a 0.38 goals-against average, second in the nation, and a .909 save percentage, third in the country. She set school records for wins (14) and shutouts (12) in a season as well as GAA and save percentage.