Tuesday, January 22, 2013

For the second straight season, the Valparaiso men's soccer program had a player chosen in the Major League Soccer Supplemental Draft, as two-time Horizon League Goalkeeper of the Year Kyle Zobeck learned Tuesday he had been selected by FC Dallas with the seventh pick of the second round.

"I'm really excited to have been picked by FC Dallas," said Zobeck.  "I'm looking forward to working for a spot on the team over these next few weeks.  I owe a big thank you to the VUMSO family for developing me into the player that I am today, especially Mike [Avery], Jeff [Oleck], and [former assistant] Rick [King] for working with me on a daily basis.  Lastly, I would like to thank my family for supporting me throughout my soccer career and encouraging me to take this next step."

"I am very happy for Kyle and believe he has what it takes to make the most of this opportunity with FC Dallas," said Avery.  "Kyle achieved almost everything it was possible for a student-athlete to achieve during his career here, both on the field and in the classroom, and while he will obviously be missed, we are excited to follow him in this next chapter of his soccer career and know that he will continue to represent Valparaiso well."

Zobeck closed out his Valparaiso career as the program's all-time leader in both goals against average (0.91) and shutouts (23), setting single-season records in both categories as a junior (0.66, 11) as he helped Valpo to the Horizon League regular season championship.  The two-time league goalkeeper of the year also twice earned First Team All-League honors.  A success off the field as well, Zobeck was one of ten finalists for the Senior CLASS Award this year, and last summer was honored as a Tau Beta Pi Laureate.

Zobeck becomes the second Crusader in as many years to be selected in the MLS Supplemental Draft, as last year Stefan Antonijevic was chosen in the third round by Sporting Kansas City.  Antonijevic is currently in preseason with Spartak Zlatibor Voda of the Serbian First Division, while Adrian Ortiz is playing with the Chicago Mustangs of the Professional Arena Soccer League.

"This is our second MLS draft pick in two years, and as a program we are proud of that accomplishment," said Avery.  "We feel that we have created an environment where high-level players can earn a top quality education, while also receiving a first-class soccer education.  I think the best days of the Valparaiso soccer program are still to come, and hopefully we will continue to produce players capable of maximizing both of these opportunities."