Dec. 29, 2003
SANTA CLARA, Calif. - Following the 2003 season in which the Santa Clara University men's soccer team catapult itself back into the national spotlight with an appearance in the College Cup, the individual honors continue to pour in for both current and former SCU players.
Junior defender Ryan Cochrane added first team All-American accolades to his already impressive resume when CSTV (College Sports Television) tabbed him as one of only three defenders on their All-America squad. The honors is the third-straight year in which Cochrane has earned All-America status to go along with his three All-West Coast Conference selections, making him one of the most decorated soccer players in Santa Clara history.
Teammate and fellow junior Steve Cronin was honored by FIFA for his play in the recent U-20 World Championships that were held in the United Arab Emirates. The netminder from Fair Oaks, Calif., was named to the FIFA World Championships All-Tournament team for his play in the competition that included a pair of shutouts over Korea and the Ivory Coast. Cronin was also tabbed a first team All-WCC performer in 2003, notching a 13-2-3 overall record and a 0.60 goals-against average.
Former Broncos Joe Cannon and Jamil Walker have continued their success away from the Mission Campus and are beginning to make names for themselves on an international stage. Canon, who was a two-time Goalkeeper of the Year in Major League Soccer, was just called up by U.S. National Team coach Bruce Arena to participate in the team's training camp at the Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif. The netminder is one of 30 players vying for a spot on the national team that will take to the field on January 18th in a match against Denmark.
Walker, who is just one year removed from his playing days at SCU, made a name for himself with his speed and aggressive play this past season for the MLS Cup Champions, San Jose Earthquakes. Walker netted five goals in his rookie season and also added an assist on a Landon Donovan goal in the MLS Cup game that sparked the Earthquakes to their second championship in the last three seasons. His play did not go unnoticed by U.S. Soccer who invited Walker to their U-23 team training camp that began earlier this month. Walker hopes to make the team that will represent the U.S. in the upcoming Olympic Games that will be held in Athens, Greece.