PHILADELPHIA - Three America East men's soccer standouts, Hartford's Damion Lowe and UMBC's Pete Caringi III and Kadeem Dacres, have been chosen in the 2014 MLS SuperDraft, the most-ever for the conference in a single year.
Lowe, a junior defender for the Hawks last season, was chosen in the first round (eighth overall) by the Seattle Sounders FC on Thursday in Philadelphia. Caringi, went in the third round (48th overall) to the Montreal Impact on Tuesday while Dacres was chosen in the fourth round (65th overall) by the Chicago Fire.
A first-team All-America East standout as well as an All-Northeast Region selection, Lowe helped lead Hartford to two America East title games in his three years there. He appeared in 43 career matches, racking up 20 points on eight goals and four assists and helping the Hawks shut out 15 foes. This season, Lowe led a unit that compiled a program-record 0.91 team GAA, which led the Hawks towards earning their best record since 1996.
Caringi III, was the first repeat America East Striker of the Year in the 12-year history of the award and also was the Most Outstanding Player of the America East Championship. Despite being a marked man all season, Caringi tallied league bests of 29 points and 13 goals. He became the first men's soccer player in conference history to earn first-team All-America honors from the NSCAA.
Dacres, the America East Midfielder of the Year, ranked third in America East with 18 points and fourth with seven goals. He was also a first-team all-conference honoree.
Lowe is America East's highest MLS selection since Hartford's Rob Jachym went third overall in 1997. Overall, America East has had eight former stars taken in the 18 years of the league while several others have been taken in the Supplemental Draft or signed as free agents, including including Bouna Coundoul. A two-time America East Goalkeeper of the Year for Albany who appeared in 99 career MLS games and three-time Midfielder of the Year Leo Fernandes, who played in seven games for Philadelphia last year.
America East MLS SuperDraft Selections
2014 Damion Lowe, Hartford 1st Round (8th) Seattle
Pete Caringi, UMBC 3rd Round (48th) Montreal
Kadeem Dacres, UMBC 4th Round (65th) Chicago
2011 Levi Houapeau, UMBC 3rd Round (41st) Philadelphia
2010 Samuel Appiah, Boston U. 3rd Round (46th) Houston
2009 Steward Ceus, Albany 3rd Round (37th) Colorado
2004 Andrew Dorman, Boston U. 4th Round (58th) New England
1997 Rob Jachym, Hartford 1st Round (3rd) Columbus