Jan. 18, 2008

BALTIMORE -- With the first four rounds in the book, there are two NAIA men's soccer players taken in the 2008 Major League Soccer SuperDraft, announced at the Baltimore Convention Center today (Jan. 18).

Ricardo Pierre-Louis of Lee (Tenn.) University was chosen No. 22 overall in the second round. The 2007 Brine-NAIA Player of the Year finished with 29 goals this past fall, despite missing almost a month with a leg injury. He ended his collegiate career with 101 points.

`It is a great day for not only our soccer program, but for Lee University," said Lee Head Coach Henry Moyo. "We expected Ricardo to be picked in the first or second rounds. He's already meeting with the Crew's general manager and other members of the Columbus staff."

"My international playing experience is what helped me the most," said Pierre-Louis. "I thought I was the best striker in the combine. I'll see what Columbus has to offer and then I'll decide if I'll go overseas or play in the MLS. I want to do what is best for my career.

"I want to play at the highest level as possible. This weekend proved that you can attend a great NAIA school like Lee and still reach your goals. This is good for me, Lee and my people in Haiti."

The other NAIA player was Azusa Pacific's (Calif.) Steven Lenhart. He was chosen by the Columbus Crew in the fourth round and the 48th overall pick. A 2007 NAIA All-American, Lenhart posted 16 goals on the year including nine game-winners. He helped lead the Cougars to the 2007 National Championship title with two game-winning goals. He was named the Tournament's Most Valuable Player and Offensive Player.

"I am incredibly proud of Steve," said APU head coach Phil Wolf. "He absolutely deserves this opportunity, and Azusa Pacific soccer is very proud of him. We know he will represent us well."

"I haven't really had time to sit down and think about it," said Lenhart. "I never thought I would play professional soccer, but it would definitely be cool for my future to try to pave a new road and do something different.

"I never dreamed of playing soccer after college until it just started becoming a reality over the last couple of months."

Lenhart, a 2004 graduate of Esperanza High in Yorba Linda, is just the second Azusa Pacific player selected in the MLS draft, joining P.J. Brown. Brown was a third-round selection (28th overall) of the Colorado Rapids in 1998.

MLS training begins in February and league play start in April.

Check out the entire SuperDraft here

Some information provided by Lee & Azusa Pacific Sports Information Office