Akpan Named to College Soccer News Team of the Decade

Pictured: Andre Akpan scored 47 goals during his Harvard career.
Photo courtesy: David Silverman Photography

Complete College Soccer News Release

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – Senior forward Andre Akpan of the Harvard men’s soccer team was recently tabbed to the College Soccer News Team of the Decade, garnering a spot on the third team. Akpan, a finalist for the Missouri Athletic Club’s Hermann Trophy, given to the nation’s top collegiate soccer player, was the only player from an Ivy League school to be honored by the publication.

A three-time semifinalist for the Hermann Trophy and a three-time All-America selection, Akpan concluded his career as Harvard’s all-time leading scorer. He amassed a program best 127 points and 33 assists and is tied with Chris Ohiri ’64 for the all-time Crimson lead with 33 goals. A four-time unanimous All-Ivy League first-team honoree, Akpan, who hails from Grand Prairie, Texas, was tabbed the Ivy League Player of the Year this fall and was the conference Rookie of the Year in 2006.

A co-captain of the Crimson this season, Akpan led the team and the Ivy League with 30 points and 12 goals, including four game-winning tallies. As a junior in 2008, Akpan netted 10 goals and found the back of the net 14 times, a career-high as a sophomore during the 2007 season. As a rookie in 2006, Akpan was selected as the National Rookie of the Year by Top Drawer Soccer after setting Harvard’s freshman scoring record with 34 points on 11 goals and 12 assists. An Academic All-Ivy League choice in 2009, Akpan, who helped Harvard reach the NCAA tournament all four seasons during his career, guided the Crimson to its second Ivy League title in four seasons this fall.

After attending the Hermann Trophy presentation in St. Louis, Mo., Jan. 8, Akpan will travel to the adidas MLS Player Combine in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., Jan. 8-12. Akpan, who recently signed a Major League Soccer contract, is expected to be selected in the 2010 MLS SuperDraft, which takes place Thursday, Jan. 14 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia at 2 p.m. The first hour will be broadcast live on ESPN2; the remainder of the draft can be followed on MLSnet.com.