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Duke's Sakuda Drafted by Richmond Kickers
Feb. 15, 2002
RICHMOND, VA - (Wednesday, February 13, 2002) - The A-League held its annual College Draft today at 1pm with the Richmond Kickers holding four of the 42 picks. The Kickers used the first three of those picks to solidify their goalkeeping needs after the departure of long-time Kickers net-minder Mike McGinty to D.C. United of Major League Soccer (MLS). While Ronnie Pascale returns to the Kickers for his third straight year, the Kickers were looking to fill the role of backup goalkeeper.
With their first pick, the 3rd overall in the open rounds, the Kickers chose goalkeeper Armando Femia from Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI). Femia recently played in the Umbro Select All-Star Classic and was named to the First Team All Mid-Continent Conference for the third straight season.
With the 18th pick in the first open round the Kickers then selected goalkeeper Michael Ueltschey from the University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill. In his senior season, Ueltschey broke the school record for career shutouts on November 3rd when he shutout sixth-ranked Clemson, 1-0, in Chapel Hill. He finished his career with 28.5 shutouts.
The Kickers last pick in the first open round (#24 overall) was used to select University of Richmond goalkeeper Shawn Alexander. Alexander led the Spiders to a 13-6-2 record in his senior season, tied a Richmond single-season record with 10 shutouts and was named the Atlantic 10 Defensive Player of the Year.
Finally, with the 42nd and last pick, the Kickers selected defender Kevin Sakuda of Duke University. Sakuda was selected in Sundays MLS draft by the San Jose Earthquakes. If the 'Quakes waive him, the Kickers would have the first right to negotiations.
"This draft reflects the quality of our existing squad," declares Head Coach Leigh Cowlishaw. "At this time we don't need to add any field players. Our top three draft picks all showed well at the Umbro Select combine in just a short period of time."
"With Mike McGinty going to MLS we need to fill a goalkeeper slot," says General Manager Billy Hallock. "We feel like these were the best goalkeepers available in the draft and in reality, with our roster being veteran-heavy, we had the ability to concentrate on that one position."
Player Bios
Armando Femia Goalkeeper 6'1" 165lbs IUPUI
Named First Team All Mid-Continent Conference for the third straight season... named to All-Tournament Team for third straight season... Named Honorable Mention All-American by College Soccer News... Finished his collegiate career as the school leader in shutouts with 27... IUPUI finished 21st in the nation in shutout percentage, turning in shutouts in 42 percent of their matches... Posted a career-high 12 saves in his final collegiate game against UMKC... Posted back-to-back shutouts on three separate occasions.
Michael Ueltschey Goalkeeper 6'2" 195lbs University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill
Allowed just 0.73 goals per game against a schedule that included nine nationally-ranked opponents... posted 12 shutouts as a senior, setting the single-season school record... Started all 25 games in 2001, leading the Tar Heels to an NCAA Championship... Led high school team (Jackson Academy) to a Mississippi state championship in 1998... Earned team captain, MVP and state tournament MVP honors his senior year.
Shawn Alexander Goalkeeper 6'2" 180lbs University of Richmond
Led the Spiders to a 13-6-2 record in 2001 as he played every minute... recorded 10 shutouts, tying a Richmond single-season record... Named Atlantic 10 Defensive Player of the Year and first team all-conference performer... Led the league with 0.91 GAA and four shutouts in league play... Named Atlantic 10 Player of the Week three times and selected twice as national Goalkeeper of the Week... selected to the 2001 VaSID team... Finished Richmond career as all time school leader in GAA (1.00) and ranked fourth in both shutouts (22) and saves (235)... Was a member of the U-17 ODP National Pool.
Kevin Sakuda Defender 6'1" 175lbs Duke University
Started 81 consecutive games for the Blue Devils during his four-year collegiate career... An All-ACC Second Team selection, he finished his eligibility with one goal and 12 assists... A first team NSCAA All-South Region selection in 1999... Named to the Soccer News All-Freshman Team and the ACC All-Tournament Team in 1998... Part of the California state ODP team from 1995-1998... A member of California's Under-19 State Champions in 1997.
