Blinn College forward David Garcia continues to reap the rewards of a tremendous sophomore season.
Following a historic campaign for the Buccaneer men’s soccer team, Garcia has been named to the 2023 United Soccer Coaches Junior College Division I Men’s All-America team.
The awards are voted upon by a national committee, and their recipients range from NJCAA Division III to NCAA Division I programs.
“We are all so proud of David and his groundbreaking achievement of becoming our first All-American,” Blinn head coach Michael McBride said. “This is a tremendous honor for David and Blinn College soccer, and I feel like a kid at Christmas getting to enjoy this moment with David.”
In his second season as a Buccaneer, Garcia finished with a team-leading 19 goals, which tied for the second-highest total in NJCAA Division I. Four of Garcia’s goals served as game winners and the talented striker added seven assists for a Buccaneer club that finished with a program-best 14-7 overall. He will depart Blinn as the program’s career scoring leader with 35 goals.
Garcia also was named to the NJCAA Division I All-America second team, as well as the Region XIV all-region first-team.
“As I was preparing to graduate from high school, I knew I wanted to come to a college program where I could make an impact and grow as a player,” Garcia said. “Choosing Blinn was a great choice for me. Becoming an All-American just proves that my hard work has paid off, but also that my entire team’s hard work paid off, too. This award is impossible to win without the support of my team and coaches trusting me to do what I’m capable of.”
Garcia’s two All-America accolades make him the first Blinn soccer player to earn national recognition since the Buccaneer men’s and women’s programs began play in 2018.
“I hope I can leave behind a legacy and a standard that future Blinn players want to reach and surpass,” added Garcia. “I hope what I’ve accomplished here encourages other great players to continue their soccer careers at Blinn.”
Along with the All-America nod, Garcia has been invited to attend the United Soccer Coaches All-America Ceremony and Reception scheduled for Jan. 14, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. The annual ceremony recognizes All-Americans from all collegiate divisions, as well as the men’s and women’s Hermann Player of the Year Awards.
Blinn has competed in intercollegiate athletics since 1903 and captured 45 NJCAA national championships since 1987.
