Caps In College 2013: The opening NCAA Division 1 weekend

‘Caps In College’ is our new section on AFTN where we’ll take a regular look at the progress of some of the more recent graduates from the Whitecaps Residency program as they move on to the college and university ranks in Canada and the US.

Over the course of the college season we’ll be bringing you update, stats and videos of, amongst others:

Duke University: Brody Huitema (FW)
Simon Fraser University: Spencer DeBoice (FW), Alex Rowley (MF), Jason van Blerk (DF)
University of Kentucky: Callum Irving (GK)
University of Milwaukee: Declan Rodriguez (MF/DF)
University of New Mexico: Ben McKendry (MF)
University of North Carolina Wilmington: Sean Melvin (GK)
University of Tulsa: Quinton Duncan (DF)
Wright State University: Wesley Cain (MF)

We’ll also be keeping a close eye on how some of our recent PDL players are getting on back with their schools.

Whilst fans of the local college scene were enjoying watching a number of former Caps in the SFU-UBC friendly at the weekend, for a number of alums from the Whitecaps academy, it was the first weekend for the 2013 NCAA Division I Soccer season and many of them played pivotal roles in the results for their schools, including a goal from an unlikely source.

Ben McKendry started and played 71 minutes for New Mexico in the 7-2 win over Villanova which has moved the Lobos to a number 2 ranking in the country.

The Kentucky Wildcats had Callum Irving start and play the full 90 in goal, picking up a cleansheet and one save in a 1-0 win over Georgia State. (See coach’s comments on Irving at :58)

One of the most eagerly anticipated college moves of the summer was that of Brody Huitema to Duke University.

Brody had warmed up for the season with a goal in the preseason and in his competitive debut for Duke on Friday night, Huitema started and played 110 minutes in a 1-1 draw with Rutgers, adding a last minute assist and recording four shots on target (Video). He was back in action again two days later, starting and playing 77 minutes in a 2-0 win over Northeastern, recording six shots.

Goalkeeper Sean Melvin made his debut for the University of North Carolina Wilmington on Friday night, playing 104 minutes and making five saves in the 2-1 double overtime win over Ohio State. He was back in action two days later, playing the whole game, making eight saves and keeping his first clean sheet in the 1-0 win over Cincinnati.

Declan Rodriguez started and played the full 90 minutes for the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee as they beat the number 12 ranked Marquette 2-1 to win the Milwaukee Cup on Friday night. Rodriguez scored the game’s opening goal in the first minute, which you can see below.

Quinton Duncan started both games over the weekend on the backline for Tulsa University, first in the 2-0 loss to Creighton and then in a 3-0 win over Drake.

Finally, the debut for Wesley Cain for Wright State against Kentucky was delayed due to a power outage and will be scheduled for later in the season.