Lehigh University Athletics
Welch to participate in MLS Combine
12/10/2009 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
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BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Lehigh men’s soccer player Adam Welch has been invited to participate in the 2010 adidas MLS Player Combine. Welch is one of 62 Division I seniors selected to take part in the four-day combine that will take place January 8-12, in Central Broward Regional Park in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.
“Anytime you get placed with the top players in the country and get invited to try-out for the MLS it is a great honor,” head coach Dean Koski said. “Adam distinguished himself this season and ended what was a great career with Lehigh. I am very proud of Adam, Lehigh and the program for making this possible.”
Welch is coming off a career year with the Mountain Hawks where he led the team in points (15) and tied for the team lead in goals (five). The Bethlehem, Pa., native scored two game-winning goals, including the overtime game-winner against Bucknell that clinched a Patriot League Tournament berth for the Mountain Hawks. He displayed his versatility by moving up to forward half way through the season and didn’t miss a beat.
Despite playing half the season at forward, Welch was named Patriot League Defensive Player of the Year and earned first team All-League honors. The senior became only the second Lehigh student-athlete to receive the Defensive Player of the Year award, joining John O’Reilly in 2006. Welch was named to the All-Patriot League second team in 2007 and 2008.
“As a student-athlete he helped the team reach the NCAA Sweet 16 in 2006 and gave us four competitive seasons,” Koski said. “This past season Adam helped guide us in into the playoffs, he won the Defensive Player of the Year award, and he has got it done in the classroom as well. He has been a great leader and this is a tremendous opportunity for him.”
The last Mountain Hawk to be invited to the MLS Combine was Andrew Mittendorf ’98 in 1999 and he was selected eighth overall by the Colorado Rapids that same year. Welch will have some familiar company at the combine as Bucknell’s Conor O’Brien has also been invited to participate.
Make sure to check back with Lehighsports.com to follow Adam Welch’s path to the combine. The 2010 MLS SuperDraft will take place on Thursday January 14, in Philadelphia, Pa.
