Wisconsin Soccer Central

A pair of center backs who play college soccer in Wisconsin were named to the College Soccer News Preseason All-America Team.

Marquette sophomore Axel Sjoberg landed on the 11-member second team of the preseason honor squad, while University of Wisconsin junior AJ Cochran was a third-team selection.

Sjoberg anchored a Golden Eagles backline that posted 10 shutouts last fall and was second on the team with eight goals in 21 matches – the 6-foot-7 Swede is especially dangerous in the air on set pieces – and added three assists. He was a second-team All-Big East Conference pick as a redshirt freshman in 2012.

Cochran was an All-Big Ten Conference and second-team All-Great Lakes Region choice by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America last year. He had a goal and two assists as a sophomore and led a Badgers backline that recorded six shutouts, and has two goals and five assists in 37 career appearances – all starts.