Joe Sofia, Senior, Defender, UCLA
Overview:
If you want to know how a defender should play watch Joe Sofia. He is not just a defender but a team leader. Sofia spent more time on the pitch last season than any other Bruin, by 89 minutes. His endurance has been growing since he stepped on the college pitch in 2010 as a freshman. Sofia has played in 63 matches and started in all but one. He has helped the Bruins to a total of 27 shut-outs since 2010.
If number of matches played/started, minutes and shut-outs weren’t enough to prove Sofia knows the game, his accolade list is beyond comparison. He has racked up such awards as Second-Team All-Pac 12 selection, First-Team Pac-12 All-Academic honors for the second consecutive year, First-Team Capital One Academic All-America and All-District honors. Sofia was also named to the Top Drawer Soccer National Team of the Week after scoring the game-winning goal in overtime at Virginia. And that was just last season.
Final Projection:
Joe Sofia is the defender that every pro team hopes to get the chance to pick up in the draft. Sofia is already one of the top defenders in the league and will continue his success this season but it won’t end in college. He is sure to be a top pick defender for the pros in 2014.
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