Ironmen Select Mount Laurel Native Jeremy Ortiz First Overall
Published on January 29, 2008 under Major Indoor Soccer League 2 (MISL 2)
New Jersey Ironmen News Release
NEWARK, NJ (January 29, 2008) - The New Jersey Ironmen (10-7) had the third overall selection in the MISL College Draft today, and the club took Mount Laurel native Jeremy Ortiz from La Salle University with that territorial first round selection. In the remaining rounds, the Ironmen drafted forward Jacek Przednowek (Robert Morris University), midfielder Travis McKenzie (Duquesne University), defender Phillipe Bissohong (University of Maryland- Baltimore County) and defender Matt Sleece (Villanova University).
The draft consisted of one territorial round and four numerical rounds. Earlier this week, the MISL Competition Committee determined a revised draft order than what was announced last week. MISL teams that participated in last year's season were ranked in reverse order of last seasons' final win-loss percentage, and expansion teams drafted with the first three picks in reverse order of their current season standings.
"When approaching the college draft, you look for good players based on your current needs," Ironmen Head Coach Omid Namazi stated about his approach to the draft. "We were looking for some talented local players in addition to a goal scorer and a steady stay-home defender, and we addressed those needs."
Forward Jeremy Ortiz got the call by New Jersey as the third overall selection in the draft. He is a 2004 graduate of Lenape High School in Medford, New Jersey, earning All-State accolades as a senior. He went on to play four successful seasons at La Salle University in Philadelphia. After leading the Explorers in goals (six) and points (16) his junior year in only ten games, Ortiz was named to the All-Atlantic 10 First Team, Philadelphia Soccer 7 All-Star Team, NSCAA First Team All-Mid Atlantic Team and the Drexel Invitational Tournament Team. He was named co-captain prior to his senior season, and he was selected to the A-10 All-Conference Honorable Mention Team. He also played two seasons with the Ocean City Barons of the USL Premier Development League, scoring 16 goals in 30 games. He was named the Barons' Most Valuable Player in 2006, and Head Coach Namazi has had his eyes on the Mount Laurel product for a while.
"Ortiz has been on my radar for two years," he commented. "I followed him with the Barons, and he jumped off the stat sheet as a goal scorer. I have heard a lot of good things about him, and I was told he is the real deal. He has the potential to make an immediate impact."
Forward Jacek Przednowek, a Brantford, Ontario, native, played his final two years of college eligibility at Robert Morris University in Moon Township, Pennsylvania, after playing his first two seasons at St. John's College in Canada. Przednowek was named to the All-NEC First Team in 2005, and he received Second Team accolades in 2006.
Midfielder Travis McKenzie was a four-year starter and letterman for Duquesne University in Pittsburgh. He led the Dukes in scoring his sophomore, junior and senior seasons. He followed up a 2004 A-10 All-Rookie Team selection with A-10 First Team honors the next three years, and he finished his collegiate career with 58 points on 21 goals and 16 assists. His father, David, also enjoyed a career in the MISL, most notably with the Baltimore Blast.
Defender Phillipe Bissohong is a native of Cameroon who has a very improbable story that eventually landed him a third round selection in the MISL College Draft. He became an eventual starter at the University of Maryland- Baltimore County after walking on before his junior year of college. He received a tryout after taking a physical education class taught by Retrievers' Head Coach Pete Caringi. Following a productive junior season, Bissohong helped solidify a defensive backfield that posted ten shutouts his senior year.
Defender Matt Sleece attended Clifton (NJ) High School where he received All-State and All-Region accolades. He went on to a solid collegiate career at Villanova (PA) University where his consistency and toughness played a major role in the Wildcat defense.
Players selected in the draft are eligible to join their respective clubs immediately. Ironmen Assistant Coach Kevin Sloan feels that some of the players could make an impression this season.
"It's a big transition from college to the professional ranks," Sloan said. "Obviously, we saw enough of these guys to think that they can come in and make an impact."
The Ironmen play a back-to-back this weekend, facing the Chicago Storm Saturday night on the road before returning to Prudential Center to host the Milwaukee Wave on Sunday. That match up is slated for a 4:00 start, and tickets can be purchased by calling 1-800-IRONMEN.
Major Indoor Soccer League 2 Stories from January 29, 2008
- Ironmen Select Mount Laurel Native Jeremy Ortiz First Overall - New Jersey Ironmen
- Cougars select five in MISL College Draft, three from California schools - California Cougars
- Blast Selects Five Players in 2008 MISL Amateur Draft - Baltimore Blast
- Ignition select five during MISL College Draft - Detroit Ignition
- Storm select Nacovski, Nunes in MISL College Draft - Chicago Storm
- KiXX selects five in MISL College Draft - Philadelphia KiXX
- Bode, Rampa Among Wave's College Draft Picks - Milwaukee Wave
- Chicago Storm Weekly: Larkin reaches 3,000 saves - Chicago Storm
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