Indiana University Athletics
Grabavoy Taken in MLS Draft (1-16-04)
1/16/2004 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Former Indiana soccer player Ned Grabavoy was selected by the Los Angeles Galaxy as the 14th overall pick in the MLS SuperDraft on Friday in Charlotte, N.C.
Grabavoy is the 19th Indiana player to be drafted into the league since its inception in 1996 and fourth Hoosier in the last two years. Pat Noonan, who finished as runner-up for the MLS Rookie of the Year Award in 2003, was taken by the New England Revolution as the ninth overall selection in the first round last year. Ryan Mack (Chicago Fire, Third Round) and John Swann (D.C. United, Sixth Round) were also drafted in 2003.
Grabavoy opted to forego his senior season at IU to sign with the MLS as a part of its Nike Project-40 Class. In 2003, Grabavoy co-captained the National Champion Hoosiers and led the team in scoring with 33 points on 11 goals and 11 assists in 21 games. He was one of only three unanimous first-team All-Big Ten selections and appeared on the list of 15 semifinalists for the Missouri Athletic Club Hermann Trophy. Grabavoy earned first-team All-America honors from the National Soccer Coaches'Assocation of America and was also recognized as an All-American by College Sports Television and College Soccer News.
Grabavoy missed four matches in NCAA Tournament play while playing with the United States U-20 team in the World Youth Championships in the United Arab Emirates, but returned for the national championship game against St. John's on Dec. 14. Grabavoy promptly scored the first goal of the game on a free kick in the 16th minute. He was named to the College Cup All-Tournament team.
Grabavoy played in 54 games during his Hoosier career, earning 42 starting assignments. He scored a total of 57 points on 18 goals and 21 assists. He is the first Indiana player to turn pro early Nick Garcia in 1999.
A total of seven former Indiana players were active in the MLS this past season:
Brian Maissoneuve, Midfield, Columbus Crew (at Indiana: 1991-94)
Mike Clark, Defender, Columbus Crew (at Indiana: 1991-94)
Chad Deering, Midfield, Dallas Burn (at Indiana: 1989-90)
Dema Kovalenko, Midfield, D.C. United (at Indiana: 1996-98)
Nick Garcia, Defender, Kansas City Wizards (at Indiana: 1997-99)
Chris Klein, Midfield, Kansas City Wizards (at Indiana: 1994-97)
Pat Noonan, Forward/MF, New England Revolution (at Indiana: 1999-2002)
