Jack Stewart is expected to be among the first defenders selected in the MLS SuperDraft on Friday, Jan. 14.

Three Irish Players Shine At MLS Combine

Jan. 12, 2005

Three former University of Notre Dame men’s soccer players have completed an outstanding week of workouts at the Home Depot Center in Southern California and now await their fate in the MLS SuperDraft on Friday, Jan. 14.

Fans can followed the MLS SuperDraft first round on Fox Sports World at 12 noon on Friday.

Goldthwaite, Sawyer and Stewart helped the Irish to a 13-3-3 record in 2004 as the team claimed its first-ever BIG EAST regular-season crown. All three players held a key role in Notre Dame leading the nation in goals-against average (0.45) while leading the squad through an 11-match unbeaten streak.

Goldthwaite and Stewart backed up their reputations at the MLS Combine this week and are poised to be among the first defenders taken in the draft. Sawyer also helped his stock and asserted himself as one of the top two goalkeepers available.

The MLS SuperDraft will cap a whirlwind two months for the former Irish players. While preparing for the combine, both Goldthwaite and Stewart were invited to France to workout with Auxerre – a team in the French 1st Division. Sawyer also became the first Notre Dame player to earn first-team All-America honors in 2004.

Here is a closer look at the three players achievements during the 2004 season –

Chris Sawyer , Sr., GK

Hermann Trophy Watch List … NSCAA/adidas first-team All-American … NSCAA Great Lakes first-team all-region … BIG EAST Goalkeeper of the Year … first-team all-BIG EAST … adidas/IU Credit Union Classic all-tournament team … College Soccer News.com preseason All-American … BIG EAST Goalkeeper of the Week (10-04-04) and (10-25-04)) … Soccer America Team of the Week (10-25-04) … College Soccer News.com Team of the Week (10-25-04).

Final Stats:
19 GP, 19 GS, 9 GA, 0.46 GAA, 42 Saves, 13-2-3 record, 11 shutouts

Career Final Numbers:
73 GP, 72 GS, 49 GAA, 0.67 GAA, 203 Saves, 47-13-10 record, 31 shutouts

Kevin Goldthwaite , Sr., D

Hermann Trophy Semifinalist … NSCAA Great Lakes first-team all-region … Soccer America Preseason All-American … BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Week (10-04-04) … Soccer America Team of the Week (10-06-04).

Final Stats:

12 GP, 12 GS, 3 assists, 14 shots, three shots on goal

Career Final Numbers:
75 GP, 65 GS, 24 assists, 6 goals, 36 points, 91 shots

Jack Stewart , Sr., D

Hermann Trophy Semifinalist … BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Year … NSCAA Great Lakes first-team all-region … first-team all-BIG EAST … Soccer America Team of the Week (09-09-04) … adidas/IU Credit Union Classic all-tournament team selection … Mike Berticelli Memorial Tournament all-tournament team selection … BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Week (09-06-04).

Final Stats:
19 GP, 19 GS, 2 goals, 14 shots, three shots on goal

Career Final Numbers:
82 GP, 75 GS, 4 goals, two assists, 10 points, 61 shots