KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Drake grad students Declan Watters and AJ Franklin were two of 13 Missouri Valley Conference student-athletes to earn All-West Region honors from the United Soccer Coaches.
 
Watters, a graduate, has been a mainstay for Drake with starts in all 15 matches and the team's highest total of minutes played (1,350). Watters anchored a solid Bulldog defense that ranked third in the MVC with just 0.93 goals allowed per match. He provided an intimidating force on the Bulldogs' back end with his 6-5 frame. Watters' honor marks the first-ever Defensive Player of the Year win for Drake.
 
Franklin enjoyed a productive year as the Bulldogs' leading scorer. The veteran forward scored a team-high 18 points on eight goals and two assists. Franklin also led Drake with 42 total shots and 19 shots on goal.