Sounders FC Academy products continue to turn heads at the collegiate level with impressive performances. With most programs wrapping-up non-conference play, several potential Homegrown Players find themselves with decisive roles for top NCAA programs.
The Seattle University Redhawks earned consecutive wins to open up Western Athletic Conference league play last week. Former Rave Green youth team defender Sam Langston scored his first goal of the campaign in a 2-0 upset win over No. 21 Utah Valley University. The senior defender scored the team’s second goal on an assist from fellow Sounders Academy alum David Olsen. Center back Kyle Bjornethun played all 180 minutes in the back-to-back shutout victories over UVU and Cal-State Bakersfield for Pete Fewing’s Redhawks.
Another week, another highlight reel goal from Handwalla Bwana. The freshman forward from Ballard High School effectively killed off the game versus UCLA in the 43rd minute. With the Huskies leading the Bruins 2-0 after a pair of early goals, Bwana found the top corner from 25+ yards after a cheeky nutmeg to ghost past his marker. The 2015-16 Sounders U-18 Academy standout now has four goals and four assists on the season.
Santa Clara junior winger Yoshi Chaffin continued his fantastic campaign with a game-winning goal in overtime against San Jose State. The Puyallup native nearly grabbed an assist in the opening 45 minutes. Chaffin’s pinpoint cross found his teammate in the box but the ensuing volley was saved spectacularly by the goalkeeper. However, the Broncos collected all three points when Chaffin found the back of the net in the 103rd minute from a difficult angle with his weaker left foot. The crafty attacker now has two goals and one assist on the season, accounting for nearly half of Santa Clara’s offensive production in 2016.
Redshirt freshman Ryan Schaefer scored his first collegiate goal in the University of Denver’s 1-0 win over Eastern Illinois. The Pioneers improve to 9-0-2 on the season, extending the program’s regular-season unbeaten run to 28 matches.
Jacob Hauser-Ramsey and UConn recorded back-to-back shutouts last week with a pair of 1-0 wins on the road at Providence and Tulsa. The redshirt sophomore defender has cemented his place in the Starting XI in his first campaign with the Huskies playing every minute at center back.
Freshman left back Nick Hinds has also carved out a starting role No. 23 Akron University. The lightning-quick, two-way defender started and played 83 minutes in the double-overtime scoreless draw between against VCU. Hinds immediately broke into the Zips first choice lineup and has started seven of nine matches.
