clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Dynamo homegrown players in the NCAA Division I Soccer Championship

Several Dynamo homegrown players are playing for NCAA Division I glory. Here's your preview of the upcoming action.

Bob Levey

While the Houston Dynamo continue their quest for a third MLS Cup this afternoon, there are a number of players who could don the orange in the coming years playing for NCAA glory.

The Dynamo Academy system has seen a tremendous amount of success, with Houston having three former academy standouts on their current roster - Tyler Deric, Alex Dixon, and Josue Soto.

Houston currently has 14 players listed on their website as homegrown players, and a number of them will be playing this afternoon in the second round of the NCAA Division I playoffs.

Notre Dame, who is ranked number one in the tournament, has goalkeeper Pat Wall on their roster. Wall, who split time in goal, had an outstanding 2012. In his junior year, Wall posted a 9-1-0 record in between the sticks with a 0.98 goals against average and three shutouts.

Notre Dame will face off with Michigan State on Nov. 18 at 1:00 p.m. CST.

The University of North Carolina comes into the tournament in the second round as well, ranked ninth. The Tar Heels have Dynamo homegrown defender C.J. Odenigwe on the roster. Odenigwe was featured in one game in 2012 for the team, after an injury cut his sophomore season short.

UNC will face UMBC on Nov. 18 at 4:00 p.m. CST.

By far the most Dynamo friendly college team, the Tulsa Golden Hurricanes feature four Dynamo homegrown players. Sophomore midfielder Abe Matamoros played in 19 games, netting two goals and an assist in 2012. Freshman defender Bradley Bourgeois was named to the C-USA All Freshman Team, putting up one goal and one assist. Senior defender Matt Boullt was featured in 19 games, helping the club with four assists. Finally, Miguel Zapata was featured in six games for Tulsa in 2012.

Tulsa will face South Florida on Nov. 18 at 5:00 p.m. CST.

Finally, fifth ranked Akron features Dynamo Academy and U.S. U-17 standout goalkeeper Fernando Pina. Pina is a freshman for the Zips and did not see game action in 2012.

Akron takes on Michigan on Nov. 18 at 3:30 p.m. CST.

Elsewhere, Dynamo Academy defender Sebastian Ibeagha was honored by the ACC as the Defensive Player of the Year. Ibeagha helped the Blue Devils to nine shutouts, and was a threat on offense adding five goals and two assists in 2012. Ibeagha has had an outstanding career at Duke, adding this award to go along with his All Freshman pick (2010) and All-Second Team selection (2011).

Keep up with all the NCAA Division I Playoff action here.