Ryan Maxwell Selected in First Round of 2009 MLS SuperDraft

ST. LOUIS, Mo. - University of Tampa men's soccer player Ryan Maxwell was chosen in the first round of the 2009 Major League Soccer (MLS) SuperDraft by the New England Revolution. Maxwell was selected with the 15th overall pick, which was the final choice of the first round.

The 5-9 midfielder, from Clarendon, Jamaica, was named first-team all-Sunshine State Conference and NSCAA all-South Region as a senior. He was also a NSCAA Scholar All-American, Daktronics All-American, NCAA South Region Tournament team and NCAA Final Four All-Tournament team selection. As a junior, he was named second-team all-SSC and NSCAA all-South Region.

"This is a great feeling and I put a lot of hard work into getting drafted," says Maxwell. "I am proud of my achievements, my mother is extremely proud of me and I am looking forward to my future in the MLS."

In three seasons at UT, Maxwell played in 55 games, tallying 16 goals and 13 assists. In 2008, he helped his team advance to the NCAA II national semifinals with an 18-4-1 overall record.

Maxwell becomes the first player in UT history to be drafted in the MLS SuperDraft as he represents the first class of eligible players under Spartan head coach Adrian Bush. He is also one of two SSC players to be selected in the first round as Lynn's Jean Alexandre was chosen 12th overall by Real Salt Lake.

"I think this is fantastic for Ryan and his family," says Bush. "For our university, it shows the hard work and vision he set when he came to school. Ryan has a team behind him supporting him and we are all very proud of him and his accomplishments."