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3/31/06 - Headed To The Big Show Everyday young boys around the world dream of scoring the game winning goal or making the game winning save at the highest level of competition, professional soccer. To achieve this professional status, most believe playing college soccer at a Division I powerhouse such as Indiana, North Carolina, or UCLA is imperative, but this year several players from smaller, less well known Division III schools have proven otherwise. On January 24, three Division III players were chosen in the USL First Division Draft. Josh Bolton, a Williams College senior, was chosen by the Rocheseter Raging Rhinos. Bolton, a two time All-American, scored 19 goals and tallied 21 assists during his career at Williams. Josh is very excited to begin playing for Rochester, being that his hometown is only ten miles from the Rhino�s stadium. Also drafted by the Rhinos was Jason Sousa, a Plattsburgh State senior. Jason was chosen 11th overall in the draft. Sousa, an All-American and a member of the Plattsburgh State final-four team in 2005, scored 6 goals and tallied 10 assists in 2005, helping him earn the SUNYAC Men's Player of the Year. "Jason is technically sound and willing to defend. Most importantly, he likes to get forward in goal scoring positions and that fits my description of a complete midfielder", says Rochester�s head coach Laurie Calloway. The Rhinos are one of the most established USL clubs in the United States, averaging over 10,000 fans per game. Taken third overall in the USL draft by the Virginia Beach Mariners, was University of Rochester senior, Nate Micklos. An All-American for three consecutive seasons at Rochester, Micklos notched 57 goals and added 26 assists during his collegiate career. Micklos will begin his professional career by traveling back to Rochester to play the Rhinos on June 3. In February, Khari Stephenson, an 04� graduate of Williams College, Massachusetts, signed a three year deal with GAIS of the Swedish Premier League, known as Allsvenskan. "Khari is a big, strong player with good technique and a strong passing game," said GAIS head coach Roland Nilsson. Originally drafted by the Chicago Fire in 2004, Stephenson was traded to the Kansas City Wizards, where he scored a goal in the MLS Semi-Final game against the late San Jose Earthquakes. Stephenson looks forward to playing in Europe, where he hopes to make an immediate impact. To all you Division III soccer players out there, keep working hard and maybe you too one day will be getting paid to play. |
