UNITED STATES – The United Soccer Coaches announced its All-Americans for the 2023 season Friday. This year, senior Bronco
Charlie Sharp and graduate student
Jaylen Shannon were named All-Americans for their performances this past season.
On Friday, Sharp became the second Bronco in Western Michigan men's soccer history to earn a First Team All-American selection, while Shannon became just the third player in program history to claim a Second Team All-American honor.
This season, the duo started and played in all 22 contests during the 2023 campaign and averaged over 1,787 minutes on the pitch, which equates to roughly 90% of available minutes played for Western Michigan during the regular season and postseason.
The forward Sharp, from Brighton, Michigan, had a career year this fall and tallied personal bests in the goal scoring, assist, point, and game winning goal departments. Sharp leads the NCAA in goals scored at 0.95 per game, total goals with 19, and is second in division one men's soccer with seven game winning goals. His 19 goals this season has paid dividends for Sharp: As of Thursday afternoon, the striker is third on the active goal scoring list in the NCAA with 42 career goals. Additionally, Sharp made program history this year by passing Dan Edwards (1991-94) for the most goals scored for the men's soccer team in WMU's 3-1 Missouri Valley Conference Tournament semifinal win over Northern Illinois on Wednesday, November 8. As for game winning goals, Sharp tacked on a personal best seven game winners this year, which is ranked second in the NCAA.
The defender Shannon, from St. Joseph, Michigan, helped lead the Broncos to 12 shutouts in regulation. His efforts allowed WMU to tie the second most shutouts created in program history during a single season. On the offensive front, Shannon collected three assists, which set a career high for the defender in a single season. Shannon would assist in WMU's 3-1 win over Utah Valley, their 3-0 win over Drake, and 3-1 regular season victory over NIU. Shannon will conclude his career with the Brown and Gold with three goals and seven assists.
Sharp and Shannon became the fourth and fifth All-Americans in program history and the second duo ever to make the All-American list for the Brown and Gold. Previously in the 2017 season, midfielder Brandon Bye and goalkeeper Drew Shepherd became the first pair of Bronco teammates to earn All-American honors. Last year, defender Daniel Nimick earned a Second Team selection to become the third All-American in program history. Sharp and Shannon's selections mark the first time in program history that the men's soccer team would feature All-American players in consecutive years.
