Jan. 16, 2004
SANTA CLARA, Calif. - Former Santa Clara University standouts Ryan Cochrane and Steve Cronin were each drafted in the first round by the San Jose Earthquakes during Friday's Major League Soccer Superdraft. Cochrane was taken with the fifth overall pick in the first round while Cronin was selectd with the 10th overall pick. Teen phenom Freddy Adu was the first overall pick in the draft.
Both Cochrane and Cronin decided to forego their senior seasons at Santa Clara last week when they signed Nike Project 40 contracts which entitles them to an educational stipend in addition to their salary and a developmental spot on the roster of their MLS club.
The duo helped the Broncos to the 2003 West Coast Conference Championship with their 5-1 league mark while also helping SCU to a 13-3-3 record during the regular season. Both played intregral parts in Santa Clara's first round NCAA Tournament victory over No. 15 SMU as the team's played to a tie and were forced to go into a shootout, where they came away with a victory.
Following that match the pair had to depart for the United Arab Emirates due to commitments to the U.S. U-20 National Team that was participating in the FIFA World Youth Championships. Cochrane and Cronin helped the U.S. to the quarterfinals in the tournament before being outsted in overtime by Argentina.
Their departure for the Broncos came at an unfortunate time, but head coach Cameron Rast was able to rally his troops for a magical run in the NCAA Tournament. The WCC Coach of the Year directed his squad to wins over LMU, Coastal Carolina and Michigan to advance to the 2003 College Cup where they were eliminated in overtime 1-0 by the eventual National Champion, Indiana Hoosiers.
During their time on the Mission Campus, Cochrane and Cronin helped Santa Clara men's soccer to two WCC titles, an appearance in the 2003 College Cup and an overall record of 38-19-5.