Jan. 20, 2015
PHILADELPHIA - Penn State men's soccer goalie Andrew Wolverton (Atlanta, Ga.) will be heading west this spring as the Los Angeles Galaxy have selected the four-year starter with the 82nd overall pick in the annual MLS SuperDraft. Wolverton who last fall wrapped up an impressive collegiate career with his second appearance in the NCAA Tournament in as many seasons, was taken in the fourth round of the two-day draft with the Galaxy's third and final selection.
"I am just really excited for the opportunity and am looking forward to getting out there and training with my new teammates and coaches," Wolverton said. "I'm also appreciative of the confidence the L.A. Galaxy have in me and I look forward to working with the organization."
The Lion goalie leaves Happy Valley having amassed one of the most decorated careers in school history. By the time he played his last match, Wolverton was the program's all-time leader in shutouts (32), goals against average (0.53) and rose to as high as fourth in saves with 225.
2014 proved to be one of his best seasons as he recorded 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 as he 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.
"Andrew proved to be a warrior this season," said head coach Bob Warming. "Most people never knew that he was in a walking boot the last part of the season, took the boot off to play matches, and then put the boot back on. He had a broken bone, played with real pain and wasn't able to train, but playing for Penn State and his teammates meant everything to him," Warming added.
Wolverton was one of only 55 college seniors invited to participate in the league's player combine earlier this month and is just the seventh Penn State player to be drafted by an MLS club in program history.
He joins former Nittany Lions John Gallagher (2013, Chicago Fire), Mark Fetrow (2012, Vancouver Whitecaps), Corey Hertzog (2011, NY Red Bulls), Drew Cost (2011, Real Salt Lake) and Jason Yeisley (2010, FC Dallas) in that illustrious club. Ted Gillen was Penn State's first MLS draftee, selected in the sixth round (59th overall) by the New York/New Jersey MetroStars in 1996 in the league's inaugural draft.
Additionally, Wolverton was only the sixth Big Ten player taken in this year's draft, joining Michigan State's Fatai Alashe and Adam Montague, Maryland's Dan Metzger and Alex Shinsky as well as Northwestern's Tyler Miller.
"Andrew was my first recruit who committed to come to Penn State and his journey has been remarkable," Warming explained. "Galaxy Head Coach Bruce Arena is a long time colleague and perhaps the best coach in US Soccer history. He has an eye for talent, wants character on his team and is a player's coach. He is a great fit for Andrew."
The draft began in Philadelphia, Thursday, Jan. 15 with the first and second rounds and wrapped up today with the final two rounds via conference call. A total of 84 selections were made by the 20 professional teams during the two day event.
MLS SuperDraft Tracker: http://bit.ly/1J9zLe6