|
7/7/2006 - MEN'S SOCCER
Sonny Guadarrama Signs Pro Contract With Mexican Club Team
|
Print
Guadarrama, who was named Atlantic Sun Conference Freshman of the Year and finished 16th in the national scoring race during the fall of 2005, has played with the United States U-17, U-18 and U-20 National Teams.
"We are so excited for the opportunity Sonny has with Santos,” said Campbell head coach Doug Hess. “It has been his desire from day one to become a professional and this is a fantastic chance for him to continue with his development, starting on what we hope to be a very long and successful professional career.”
During his first collegiate season, Guadarrama rated second among the nation’s freshmen in points per game (1.68). Overall, he ranked 16th nationally in points per game (1.68) and 18th in goals per game (0.68) among all Division I players.
He was a unanimous choice as Atlantic Sun Conference Freshman of the Year by the league’s head coaches, and also gained second-team Freshman All-America recognition from College Soccer News.
Guadarrama finished fourth among A-Sun leaders in points (32) and goals (13) and tied for fifth among league assists leaders. He scored six game-winning goals (first in the league), plus the assist on a game-winner vs. Gardner-Webb. He also earned first-team all-conference and all-freshman team honors.
“Although it was short-lived, I truly enjoyed the time I had with Sonny and am thankful for the role Campbell played in his growth as both a soccer player and a person,” said Hess, who was named Atlantic Sun Coach of the Year in 2005. “He has a lot to offer and I know he will be a success.”
Along with his older brother Willy, who finished the year as the national leader in goals (1.05) and points (2.3) per game, Guadarrama helped the Fighting Camels to the nation’s number-13 team ranking in scoring, averaging 2.15 goals per game. Campbell also posted its best year in nearly a decade with a 13-6-1 record, including a 7-1-0 mark to win the Atlantic Sun Conference regular season title.
Sonny Guadarrama was named to the 2004 National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA)/adidas® Youth Boys All-America Team and became Campbell’s first men’s soccer All-America signee since Juha Miettinen (1987).
He also was named to the 2005 PARADE All-America High School Boys Soccer Team after graduating from Cedar Park (Texas) High School. With Sonny Guadarrama’s departure, the Fighting Camels return seven starters plus six other letter winners from last year’s A-Sun regular season championship club.
Among the returnees are junior forward Willy Guadarrama, the A-Sun Player of the Year, as well as senior defender Devin Sheppard and sophomore keeper Aaron Johnson, both of whom shared A-Sun Defensive Player of the Year honors.
The Fighting Camels open their pre-season slate at home on Aug. 15 against Richmond, then host UNC Wilmington in their Aug. 26 regular season opener.
