COMPLETE 2013 MLS SUPERDRAFT COVERAGE

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – Santa Clara University forward Erik Hurtado – the 2012 West Coast Conference Player of the Year – was taken in the first round of the 2013 Major League Soccer (MLS) SuperDraft by the Vancouver Whitecaps FC. Hurtado was the No. 5 overall selection by Vancouver.

"Santa Clara definitely helped me turn into the player and person I am today. I learned so much there, playing all four years really helped me, learning from the coaches, developing physically and mentally," Hurtado said after being selected Thursday. "I do want to thank the coaches, the administration at Santa Clara, everyone down the line, for all that they have done. I also want to give a shout out to my teammates. I will try and represent Santa Clara in the best possible way, and again am very appreciative for everyone's efforts there, helping me get to where I've come."

He becomes the 24th player in SCU history to be drafted by an MLS club, and at No. 5 overall, Hurtado equals the program's third-highest pick (Medhi Ballouchy No. 2 in 2006, Albertin Montoya No. 4 in 1997 and Ryan Cochrane No. 5 in 2004). Also to note, NBA All-Star and Santa Clara alumnus Steve Nash '96 is a minority owner of the Whitecaps FC. 

"I think it is fabulous for Erik," said Santa Clara men's soccer head coach Cameron Rast Thursday morning. "It's a tribute to how much he has grown as a player in his time here at Santa Clara. You go into the combine and have opportunities to prove yourself, and he really rose up to the occasion. He's trusted in the process and has been rewarded for that. We are very excited for him." 

Hurtado enjoyed a record-setting four-year career on the Mission campus, earning NSCAA Third All-America honors as a senior this past fall. The high-scoring forward from Beaverton, Ore., was an All-WCC First Team pick three times and was runner-up for the Soccer News Net College Boot National Player of the Year in 2012.

He led the Broncos to the WCC Championship as a sophomore in 2010. He would finish his career ranked third all-time at SCU in goals (33) and points (86). He is tied for ninth in career assists (20) at SCU and his six career multi-goal games ranks second all-time in SCU history. Hurtado's senior-year total of 15 goals ranked third all-time in SCU single-season history and his 37 points ranked fourth. Among all NCAA players in 2012 Hurtado ranked fifth in points per game (1.95), sixth in goals per game (0.79) and eighth in both total points (37) and total goals (15). Hurtado led the WCC in shots (85) and shots per game (4.47), points, points per game, goals, goals per game and game-winning goals (6) last season.