Plymouth State University

MAGNUS (ERIKSSON) THELNING ('02):  A former All-American sweeper for the Plymouth State men’s soccer team, Magnus Eriksson Thelning was a four-year standout for the Panthers under coaches Shawn Griffin and Keith Byrnes.  He was a three-time All-New England selection and helped the Panthers to a combined record of 58-21-2 and four straight post-season berths, including two NCAA Tournament appearances, two ECAC Tournaments and one ECAC championship.

A native of Arjang, Sweden, Thelning earned First Team All-Conference and Second Team All-New England honors as a freshman in 1998 for a Panther team that was ranked as high as 10th in the nation in Division III and advanced to the NCAA Regional Final, finishing with a 17-1-2 record.  He led the team to 12 shutout victories, including seven in a row, and helped prevent no more than one goal in a game until the regional final.

Thelning went on to be named Third Team All-America, First Team All-New England and Little East Conference Player of the Year as a junior in 2000, after leading the Panthers to the LEC regular season and tournament championships and a berth in the NCAA National Tournament. He capped his career as a senior with his fourth straight First Team All-LEC honor and Second Team All-New England selection, leading the Panthers to the ECAC Championship.  While defense was his calling card, Thelning also contributed six goals and seven assists in his 78-game career.