Covenant's Riggs Named NCAA DIII Second Team All-American
Thursday, December 5, 2019
Covenant men's soccer senior midfielder Jesse Riggs was named to the United Soccer Coaches NCAA Division III All-America second team, announced the organization on Thursday night.
Riggs becomes the second Scot this season to earn All-America honors, joining senior goalkeeper Paul Lemay who earned CoSIDA Academic All-America earlier this week. Riggs was one of 13 midfielders selected to the three-team All-America list and was one of two USA South players honored.
A senior from Chesapeake, Va., Riggs capped an outstanding career in 2019.
Riggs collected six goals with a career-high eight assists to lead Covenant to a USA South West Division title. A first team All-USA South and first team United Soccer Coaches All-South Atlantic Region selection, Riggs proved he was one of the best midfielders in the country during the season.
Riggs had a pair of game-winning goals on the year, including the winner in a 1-0 victory over Maryville (Oct. 12) and the eventual winner in a 2-0 win at Brevard (Oct. 22) that clinched a regular season title for the Scots. In postseason play, he tallied two assists and a goal in a USA South Tournament semifinal win over Greensboro (Nov. 8). Riggs was named to the USA South All-Tournament team as he helped the Scots reach the championship match for a second straight season.
In USA South play alone, Riggs collected four goals and four assists in 13 matches. His play also helped the Scots to 11 shutouts on the year, which tied for the most in the USA South.
Riggs' play in the midfield helped Covenant to its best season in the NCAA era of the program. The Scots finished 18-2-2 overall, the most wins in a season since 2002, while finishing 13-0 in USA South play and claiming the West Division regular season championship. Covenant set a program, and USA South record, for conference wins and became the first USA South team to finish unbeaten with no ties since 2012.
In his career, Riggs was a two-time All-USA South first team selection and is a two-time USA South All-Academic honoree. He accumulated 26 career goals, with 11 game-winners, and 17 assists in 69 career matches.