KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Drake's Eskil Gjerde received national recognition from the United Soccer Coaches as a Second Team All-West Region honoree, the organization announced earlier this week.
 
Eskil Gjerde, a junior from Egersund, Norway, was named a Co-Midfielder of the Year shortly after the end of the regular season. Gjerde scored two goals and dished out an assist for five total points in the 2024 season. He attempted 15 shots, eight of which were on goal, and started every match this season for the Bulldogs. Gjerde earned the Midfielder of the Year alongside Missouri State's Tyler Caton.
 
Gjerde was joined by nine other Missouri Valley Conference student-athletes on the NCAA Division I All-West Region teams. The full honoree list is below.
 
2024 United Soccer Coaches NCAA Division I Men's All-West Region
First Team
GK – Colin Welsh, Western Michigan
D – Kyle Cusimano, Bowling Green
D – Alex Matthews, Missouri State
D – Ethan Warne, San Diego
M – Sam Bassett, Denver
M – Arnau Farnos, Oregon State
M – Carson Hodgson, Western Michigan
F – Jesus Barea, Missouri State
F – Samy Kanaan, San Diego
F – Sergi Solans, Oregon State
F – Trace Terry, Bowling Green
 
Second Team
GK – Isaac Nehme, Denver
D – Eskil Gjerde, Drake
D – Niklas Lund, Oregon State
D – Reid Roberts, San Francisco
D – Christian Shannon, Western Michigan
M – Tyler Caton, Missouri State
M – Nick Fernandez, Portland
M – Fabian Straudi, Oregon State
F – Nacho Diaz Barragan, Evansville
F – Elie Kisoka, Kansas City
F – Owen Smith, Western Michigan