Several Houston Dynamo Academy alumni gained honors for their performances this college season. Bradley Bourgeois was named American Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year while Kevin Rodriguez was named Mid-American Conference Freshman of the Year. Goalkeeper Fernando Pina earned honorable mention honors for the Big South Conference.
Bourgeois was a full-time starter for the fourth consecutive season and led Tulsa to its second consecutive American Athletic Conference Championship, for which he was named Most Outstanding Defensive Player as the Golden Hurricane outlasted UConn on penalty kicks. The Cypress, Texas native tallied four goals in 19 games (all starts) and has now started 79 games in four seasons at Tulsa.
Midfielder Zach Jackson, another Dynamo Academy alum, has tallied two goals and four assists in 19 appearances (two starts) as a sophomore for Tulsa this season. The Golden Hurricane host Florida International University in the first round of the NCAA tournament at 7 p.m. CT on Thursday.
Rodriguez enjoyed a breakout debut season at Northern Illinois University, playing on the wing, in central midfield, and at forward. The Pasadena, Texas native scored two goals in 13 appearances (11 starts) as a freshman as NIU went 7-7-1.
Pina, in his first season at Coastal Carolina University after transferring from Akron, gained honorable mention after starting all 18 games this season. The junior goalkeeper allowed just 12 goals (0.63 GAA) while recording eight shutouts.
The Chanticleers have qualified for their sixth consecutive NCAA tournament and host North Florida University on Thursday at 6 p.m. CT. Coastal Carolina has won at least one NCAA tournament game each of the last four seasons.
Other Dynamo Academy alumni represented in the NCAA tournament are Bryce Marion and Garrett Welch. Marion appeared in six games as a sophomore this year for Stanford University, the No. 8 overall seed in the tournament. The Cardinal host the winner of Cal State-Fullerton vs. Santa Clara in the second round on Sunday. Welch made two appearances for Southern Methodist University as a sophomore this season. The Mustangs defeated Utah Valley in the first round and visit the University of Denver in the second round on Sunday.
For more information on the Dynamo Academy, follow them on Twitter @DynamoAcademy.
