Dec. 12, 2014
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Penn State men's soccer goalie Andrew Wolverton (Atlanta, Ga.) will be just one of 55 college seniors to take part in the 2015 Major League Soccer combine, next month in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Wolverton, who wrapped up his stellar Penn State career earlier this fall with his second straight NCAA Tournament appearance, officially received the invite this week from league officials.
The event will be held from Jan. 8-13, and coaches from all 20 MLS teams will be on hand to scout players in anticipation of making selections for the league's SuperDraft, scheduled for Jan. 15 in Philadelphia.
Wolverton is just one of a half-dozen players from the Big Ten selected to participate in the annual combine. The four-year starter amassed one of the most decorated careers in school history, becoming the all-time leader in shutouts (32), goals against average (0.53) and rising to as high as fourth place in saves with 225.
"It's an unbelievable honor to be recognized in this elite group of seniors," Wolverton said after receiving the news. "We have a chance to showcase our talents for a chance to fulfill our dreams of being professional soccer players."
"Watching Andrew's physical, mental and soccer growth the last four years has been really special," head coach Bob Warming said. "Bo Oshoniyi and Michael Behonick have been terrific position coaches for him, but player development is all about the player wanting to see how good he can be, and Andrew has put in the time."
In 2014, the four-year starter had one of his most prolific seasons, recording 64 saves to go along with a 0.90 goals against average and nine shutouts, which placed him in a tie for second in the Big Ten. His final collegiate contest may have been his finest, coming in the second round of the NCAA Tournament at Syracuse. Wolverton, made a season high eight saves, one more athletic than the next, to help keep his team within striking distance during the final crucial minutes.
"He has set amazing records that top anything in the 105 years of soccer at Penn State and I don't think his career is anywhere near over," Warming added "I am looking forward to seeing his continued progress in the coming years."
The select crop of seniors that will be joining the Penn State goalie in south Florida were selected by a committee made up of Division I coaches from each conference as well as representatives from the MLS. The 55 players will also be joined by other seniors from NCAA Division II and III schools as well select underclassmen.
Wolverton is the second Nittany Lion to receive an invitation to the coveted combine in the last three years, as John Gallagher (2009-12) made an appearance in 2013, and was later selected by the Chicago Fire in the Supplemental Draft.
Other PSU players who have taken part in past MLS player combines include midfielder Matheus Braga (2008-10), forward Jason Yeisley (2005-07, 09), forward Simon Omekanda (2003-06) and midfielder Brian Devlin (2002-05).
The complete list of 2015 combine participants can be found here: http://bit.ly/1BDDxgx