Warnaka, Blanchard Named to Scholar All-East Region Team

ERIE, Pa. – Penn State Behrend men's soccer senior Matt Warnaka (Beaver Falls, PA/Blachhawk) and junior Richard Blanchard (Erie, PA/Cathedral Prep) were named to the 2019 United Soccer Coaches NCAA Division III Scholar All-East Region Team.

Blanchard was selected to the second team, while Warnaka landed on the third team. Both are earning this honor for the first time. To be eligible for Scholar All-Region recognition, student-athletes must have a 3.30 cumulative grade point average (on a 4.0 scale) or better throughout career, started more than 50 percent of all games and significantly contribute to their team, junior or above in academic standing; and, if a transfer student, in second year at school.

Blanchard is earning his fourth postseason accolade on the Scholar All-Region team. He was recently named an ECAC All-Star and to the USC All-Great Lakes Region team, while getting a nod on the All-AMCC first team. Blanchard carries a 3.47 GPA and is majoring in finance. The junior led the team with 13 goals and 13 assists for 39 points. Blanchard contributed to the offense in all but six games, registering at least a point in 14 contests and adding five game-winning goals.

Warnaka, a business engineering studies major with a 3.91 GPA, is receiving his first Scholar All-East Region honors. He was also named to the All-AMCC first team for posting an 18-1 record in goal for the Lions. Warnaka led the AMCC with a 0.71 goals-against average and started in all but one game in goal. He made 40 saves and posed a .755 save percentage on the season. Warnaka only allowed 13 goals which lead the Lions to 10 shutouts.