How United Academy players fared in 2015 college season

The conference tournaments are complete, and college soccer’s version of the Big Dance, the 2015 NCAA Tournament, is ready to get underway. For some former D.C. United Academy products, that means a chance to shine on collegiate soccer’s biggest stage. There are four programs in this year’s field with Black-and-Red players on the roster.

Despite falling in the ACC semifinals, Wake Forest still earned the tournament’s top seed. The Demon Deacons have been led all season by Ian Harkes, son of D.C. United original John Harkes. Wake could face a showdown with traditional power Indiana in the third round as they seek their first College Cup berth since 2009.

But an even bigger border clash could be in store during the tournament’s opening weekend as 10^th-seeded Maryland, riding its second straight Big Ten title, could face defending national champion Virginia in College Park next weekend. Freshman Eryk Williamson has been on the rise for the Terps while Paddy Foss, who captained the D.C. United Under-18 team in 2012, has one of the goals of the college season, a stunning free kick from midfield against West Virginia on Oct. 2.

The Cavaliers, making their 37th NCAA tournament appearance - fourth most among all Division I programs – will welcome Rider (14-5-1) in the opening round on Nov. 19. They’ve hosted at least one NCAA tournament match in each of the last 35 years.

Here’s a recap of D.C. United Academy players in Division I programs this fall:

NCAA TOURNAMENT TEAMS
AKRON (12-3-2), Next up: vs. Rutgers/LIU-Brooklyn, 11/22

Alonzo Clarke, D, Fr.

9 appearances

MARYLAND  (10-5-5), Next up: vs. Virginia/Rider, 11/22

Cody Albrecht, MF, Graduate student

12 appearances, 1 assist

Jorge Calix, MF/F, Fr.

14 appearances, 1 goal, 3 assists

Suli Dainkeh, D, Jr.

12 appearances, 1 assist

Cody Neidermeier, GK, Jr.

18 appearances, 53 saves, .768 saves percentage, 0.83 goals against average

DJ Reeves, F/MF, Fr.

14 appearances, 1 assist

Michael Sauers, MF/F, Jr.

9 appearances

Eryk Williamson, F/MF, Fr.

20 appearances, 4 goals, 5 assists

VIRGINIA (9-4-3); Next up: vs. Rider, 11/19

Paddy Foss, M; Jr.

15 appearances, 2 goals, 5 assists

Marcus Salandy-Defour, F/M; RS Jr.

8 appearances, 2 goals, 1 assist

Jean-Christophe Koffi, M, Fr.

WAKE FOREST (15-2-2); Next up: vs. Charlotte/Radford, 11/22

Ian Harkes, M, Jr.

19 appearances, 2 assists

First Team All-ACC

Rafael Fagundo, D, Soph.

OTHER TEAMS
COLUMBIA (9-4-1); Season complete

Owen Marshall, F; Fr.

12 appearances, 1 goal

DUKE (10-7-2); Season complete

James Doll, M; Jr.

7 appearances

DUQUENSE (6-10-2); Season complete

Scott Rissler GK; Fr.

GEORGE MASON (7-7-3); Season complete

Jannick Eckenrode, F/MF, Sr.

17 appearances, 2 goals, 1 assist

Ryan Harmouche, F/MF, Sr.

8 appearances, 1 assist

Ahmed Ismail, MF, Sr.

12 appearances, 1 goal

Edgar Zepeda, D, Sr.

13 appearances, 2 goals

MARSHALL (8-8-2); Season complete

Christian Kershaw, D/M; Soph.

18 appearances, 2 assists

MICHIGAN (8-6-4); Season complete

Lars Eckenrode, D, Jr.

20 appearances

OLD DOMINION (8-5-3); Season complete

James Knoeble, GK; Fr.

PENN STATE (7-8-3); Season complete

Brennan Ireland, D; Fr.

17 appearances

UMBC (11-5-3); Season complete

Michael Burgos, M/F, Jr.

19 appearances, 2 goals

Patrick Jean-Gilles, M, Fr.

20 appearances, 3 goals, 1 assist

Kennedy O’Shea, F, Jr.

14 appearances, 4 goals, 3 assists 

VIRGINIA TECH (5-9-3); Season complete

Brad Vorv, D; Sr.

6 appearances

WEST POINT (5-8-5); Season complete

Ibou Seye, Fr.

2 appearances

WILLIAM & MARY (7-8-2); Season complete

Antonio Bustamante, F/M, Fr.

12 appearances, 5 goals, 1 assist; All-CAA Third Team, CAA All-Rookie Team