Four Seniors Invited to the MLS Combine
December 07, 2011 | Men's Soccer
Dec. 7, 2011
Louisville, Ky. - Seniors Austin Berry, Nick DeLeon, Colin Rolfe and Kenney Walker were chosen as part of the initial list of 52 college seniors from 31 Division I schools who have been invited to participate in the 2012 adidas MLS Player Combine. Louisville is just one of two schools to have four players invited to attend the combine, along with UCLA.
The initial player list was determined by a panel of Division I college coaches, representing all conferences, who nominated and voted for players in conjunction with MLS coaches. These players will be joined by Generation adidas players, additional collegiate players from NCAA Division II and III schools, NAIA schools, and Division I alternates.
Berry helped anchor the Cardinal defense to 11 shutouts this season and 37 shutouts in his career at Louisville. He finished his senior year with a goal and an assist for four points. This season he earned BIG EAST Defender of the Week honors in October. He was also named a first team All-BIG EAST selection the last two seasons. He finished his career with 11 goals and five assists for 27 points. He is one of the most decorated Cardinals in school history earning All-American honors last season and BIG EAST Defender of the Year honors.
DeLeon has started in every game since joining Louisville two years ago. This season he ranked second on the team in scoring with six goals and six assists for 18 points. He was named a first team All-BIG EAST selection for the second straight year. He was also the only Cardinal selected to BIG EAST All-Tournament team. He led the team this season with 76 shotson the year. He finished the year with two game-winners, including the game-winner in overtime against Bradley in the NCAA Tournament. DeLeon finished his two year career at Louisville with 14 goals and nine assists for 37 points.
Rolfe led the Cardinals in scoring for the third straight season with 28 points. He led the team in assists and goals this season with a career best 10 assists and nine goals. The senior forward recorded his first career hat trick with three goals against Providence in the BIG EAST Tournament. He earned national player of the week honors from all three publications. He is the only player this season to dish out three assists in two games (Butler and Maryland). Rolfe finishes his career ranked third in career points and goals second in career assists. He was a Hermann Trophy Finalist his junior year and a two-time first team All-American.
Walker finished the season ranked third on the team in scoring with 16 points. He also ranks third on the team in goals with five. This season he scored three game-winner goals against Ohio State, Indiana, and Cincinnati. This season he earned second team All-BIG EAST honors. He finished his career with 19 assists, ranking him fourth on the all-time list.
The final player list of approximately 66 players, including international invitees and Generation adidas signings, additional Combine coaches, and team assignments, will be announced at a later date. The annual player combine will be held in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. Jan. 6-10 and is closed to the public. Media interested in attending the Combine and cover the matches should contact Lauren.Brophy@MLSsoccer.com.
