Aug. 27, 2003
Santa Clara University men's soccer defender Ryan Cochrane earned yet another honor on Wednesday as Soccer America named him to the preseason All-American Team. The junior from Portland, Ore. adds the preseason honor to All-American and All-Conference honors he won in both his freshman and sophomore seasons.
During his first two seasons on the Mission Campus, Cochrane has started every game that he has been available for. In addition to his duties in a Santa Clara uniform, Cochrane also anchors the defense for the U.S. U-20 National Team that he has played on for several years.
As a freshman, Cochrane started all 21 contests and helped the stingy SCU defense post a 0.80 goals-against average. He earned Freshman All-American honors from Soccer American in addition to his second team selection to the All-West Coast Conference team.
His sophomore year provided much of the same as he started 14 of the team's 17 games, missing only three contests due to obligations with the U.S. U-20 team. He scored his first collegiate goal in 2002 and earned first team All-WCC honors along with first team All-Far West honors from the NSCAA. College Soccer News, an online publication, also tabbed the defender as a honorable mention All-American in 2002.
Entering this season the Broncos will rely heavily on Cochrane's talent and leadership. His commitments to the junior national team will cause him to miss more games in 2003 because of the World Championships, but while on campus he will anchor the strength of this year's squad, the defense. His prowess up front will also be felt on corner kicks and set pieces, making him a threat all over the field.
Cochrane and the Broncos begin the 2003 season this weekend with two games in the UC Irvine tournament. Santa Clara will open against Alabama A&M on Saturday before taking on Fresno State on Monday.