Akron's Holthusen and Shultz Selected in Third Round of MLS SuperDraft
Story Courtesy of Akron Sports Information
PHILADELPHIA, Pa. – University of Akron men's soccer seniors Nate Shultz(Mayfield, Ohio) and Stuart Holthusen (Auckland, New Zealand) had their names called when the MLS SuperDraft concluded with the final two rounds on Sunday, Jan. 21.
Shultz was the second pick (No. 48 overall) of the third round by the Los Angeles Galaxy, while the Portland Timbers selected Holthusen with the 18th choice (No. 64 overall) of the third round.
"It is an honor to get an opportunity with the LA Galaxy," said Shultz. "I'm so grateful to them for that. I want to thank Jared (Embick) and the entire Akron coaching staff for all that they have done for me. Forever a Zip!"
A three-year starter for the Zips, Shultz started 60 of the 83 games in which he appeared in for Akron, including starting all 23 games in which he played in this past season. He helped spark a Zips' defensive unit that posted 41 shutouts over his four-year career, including 12 this fall.
Garnering All-Mid-American Conference accolades for the first time in 2017 as a second-team honoree, Shultz tallied two goals and added pair of assists on 11 shots, including four on goal.
"Nate had a tremendous career with the Zips and is a fullback that can attack and defend at a very high level," Akron head coach Jared Embick commented. "He is very intelligent and has the intangibles to go with the talent to make it as a professional. I'm really proud of how hard he has worked to get to this point."
A four-time All-MAC recipient, Holthusen, started 52 of his 78 career games as a Zip, recording 31 goals and contributing 14 assists on the strength of 149 shots, including 55 on goal.
This past season, Holthusen started all 24 games for Akron, owning team-high marks in goals (12), points (27), shots (52) and game-winners (5), while rating second in shots on goal (23). He ranked seventh, 17th, 24th and 49th, respectively, in 2017 in the NCAA in game-winning goals (5), total goals (12), total points (27) and goals per game (0.50). Additionally, he capped his career ranked 15th and 16th among active players in the NCAA in career goals (31) and career points (75).
"I think Stuart is a top forward," explained Embick. "I believe his best soccer is ahead of him. He has the technique and pace and the mentality of a goal scorer. I am excited to watch him develop even more at the next level."
Shultz and Holthusen became the 23rd and 24th Zips to be drafted during the MLS SuperDraft after teammates Joao Moutinho (Lisbon, Portugal) and Niko De Vera (Camas, Wash.) were selected No. 1 and No. 31 overall, respectively, by Los Angeles FC and New York Red Bulls.
The Zips' four selections marked the most players taken from Akron since 2014 when Robbie Derschang (No. 27 overall – Philadelphia), Eric Stevenson (No. 34 – New York Red Bulls), Aodhan Quinn (No. 52 – Philadelphia) and Reinaldo Brenes (No. 76 – Sporting KC) were drafted.
