CCU

Men's Soccer's Ngwenya Selected Third by Los Angeles Galaxy in First Round of Major League Soccer SuperDraft

       

Men's Soccer's Ngwenya Selected Third by Los Angeles Galaxy in First Round of Major League Soccer SuperDraft

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Senior forward Joseph Ngwenya (Bulawayo, Zimbabwe/Provincial) made Coastal Carolina soccer history once more as he was selected third in the first round of Friday’s Major League Soccer (MLS) SuperDraft, held at the Charlotte Convention Center. Ngwenya, who was taken by the Los Angeles Galaxy, is the first CCU soccer player to ever be drafted by the MLS and the first athlete in CCU history to be drafted in the first round in any sport.

The nation’s leading scorer in both 2002 and 2003, Ngwenya was recently selected by Soccer America as the 2003 Men’s Soccer National Player of the Year. He was also one of three finalists for the Missouri Athletic Club’s Hermann Trophy, one of the highest individual honors in intercollegiate soccer. The reigning two-time Big South Player of the Year was named to the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA)/adidas All-America and All-South Atlantic Region teams, as well as earning NSCAA Scholar All-American honors.

The senior was tabbed as the 2003 Big South Scholar-Athlete of the Year and earned first team Academic All-American and All-Big South honors for the second straight season. He was also named to College Sports Television’s (CSTV) inaugural Men’s Soccer All-America Team. The Zimbabwe native garnered Tournament MVP honors at the Big South Tournament, the Bradley Classic, and the Nike/Clemson Invitational.

This season, Ngwenya tallied 21 goals and 56 points and broke Coastal’s career shot (296), points (164), and goal (68) records. He netted eight game-winning goals, including the game-winner in the first round of the NCAA Tournament against Davidson, and led the Chanticleers to the third round of the NCAA Tournament.

The first overall pick in the draft was 14-year-old Freddy Adu, the youngest player to ever sign with the MLS, selected by D.C. United. Santa Clara, who knocked Coastal out of the 2003 NCAA Tournament in the third round, landed two players amongst the top 10 picks. Ryan Cochrane was taken with the fifth pick and Steve Cronin, the first goalkeeper to be drafted, was selected 10th, both by the San Jose Earthquakes. Hermann Trophy winner Chris Wingert of St. John’s was also selected in the draft, going as the second pick in the second round to the Columbus Crew.