NCAA 2nd Round Stars…
I decided to take a look at my player list compare it to who just played in the NCAA Tourney 2nd round and call out some players who distinguished themselves. After all, this event and the MLS combine are the two events where most if not all MLS coaches are watching. A bad performance can sink a player and a solid performance can get a top selection in the draft.
Joe Lapira – F – Sr – Notre Dame: Last year’s Hermann Trophy winner scored a goal and assisted on the other to get Notre Dame into the next round. While he hasn’t scored as many goals as last year, he is leading the Fighting Irish in goals and assists this season. Lapria has shown he can create offense in college soccer. A NCAA championship is going to find Notre Dame if he can keep it up. At 5’ 8” he’ll be the second coming of John Spencer if he can make the cut in MLS.
Ryan Cordeiro – M – Sr – UConn: Cordeiro was credited with an assist in the 2-0 victory over Vermont. His control of the midfield also helped limit his opponents to only 4 shots. Ryan had a strong senior campaign scoring 8 goals and registering 10 helpers. That kind of production would certainly help MLS sides.
Matt Allen – GK – Sr – Creighton: Allen saved six shots to preserve the shutout against a tough SMU squad. Meanwhile, 2007 U-20 World Cup participant, Steve Sandbo, gave up three goals while facing the same number of shots in the other goal. Creighton was able to use a lot more of their bench and the game went their way.
Michael Zaher – D – Sr – UCLA: The senior defender scored a goal for his Bruins but he couldn’t keep 3 from getting into his own net. I didn’t see the game, but the Bruins must have been overwhelmed by a team using a lot of substitutes as Santa Clara used 7 compared to UCLA’s 3. Zaher will need to have a good combine since he couldn’t make it to the College Cup for a second year in a row to showcase his skills.
Julian Valentin – D – Sr – Wake Forest: Jules helped keep a clean sheet and scored the winning goal in Wake’s 1-0 victory over Furman. Julian missed much of the season due to injury but he wants to help his team win a championship before leaving school. If he continues his strong performances he’ll be able to secure a high draft position.
Those are the players I chose to single out. Who are you seeing out there playing well in the tourney?
Joe Lapira – F – Sr – Notre Dame: Last year’s Hermann Trophy winner scored a goal and assisted on the other to get Notre Dame into the next round. While he hasn’t scored as many goals as last year, he is leading the Fighting Irish in goals and assists this season. Lapria has shown he can create offense in college soccer. A NCAA championship is going to find Notre Dame if he can keep it up. At 5’ 8” he’ll be the second coming of John Spencer if he can make the cut in MLS.
Ryan Cordeiro – M – Sr – UConn: Cordeiro was credited with an assist in the 2-0 victory over Vermont. His control of the midfield also helped limit his opponents to only 4 shots. Ryan had a strong senior campaign scoring 8 goals and registering 10 helpers. That kind of production would certainly help MLS sides.
Matt Allen – GK – Sr – Creighton: Allen saved six shots to preserve the shutout against a tough SMU squad. Meanwhile, 2007 U-20 World Cup participant, Steve Sandbo, gave up three goals while facing the same number of shots in the other goal. Creighton was able to use a lot more of their bench and the game went their way.
Michael Zaher – D – Sr – UCLA: The senior defender scored a goal for his Bruins but he couldn’t keep 3 from getting into his own net. I didn’t see the game, but the Bruins must have been overwhelmed by a team using a lot of substitutes as Santa Clara used 7 compared to UCLA’s 3. Zaher will need to have a good combine since he couldn’t make it to the College Cup for a second year in a row to showcase his skills.
Julian Valentin – D – Sr – Wake Forest: Jules helped keep a clean sheet and scored the winning goal in Wake’s 1-0 victory over Furman. Julian missed much of the season due to injury but he wants to help his team win a championship before leaving school. If he continues his strong performances he’ll be able to secure a high draft position.
Those are the players I chose to single out. Who are you seeing out there playing well in the tourney?
Labels: NCAA Tournament
posted by Bonji at
1:46 PM
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