July 23, 2015 WASHINGTON - In their final season of United States Soccer Development Academy (USSDA) play, the seven members of the Georgetown men's soccer freshman class had some outstanding accomplishments prior to arriving on the Hilltop.
Defender Peter Schropp (Omaha, Neb./Creighton Prep) was a key starter for the Chicago Fire Academy which won the USSDA championship over the Real Salt Lake Academy. The Fire won the Mid-America Division, but went into the playoffs ranked 15th among playoff teams.
Goalkeeper JT Marcinkowski (Alamo, Calif./De La Salle) and his San Jose Earthquakes Academy fell in the USSDA Semifinals, but Marcinkowski put together a stellar performance and was named the USSDA West Goalkeeper of the Year. The Earthquakes were ranked sixth going into the playoffs and won the Northwest Division. Earlier in the summer, Marcinkowski was called up to play with the U.S. U-18 Men's National Team for the 2015 U18 NTC Invitational.
Current teammates and future Hoya midfielders Ethan Lochner (New York, N.Y./Stuyvesant) and Kyle Zajec (Westport, Conn./Staples) also appeared in the playoffs for the New York Red Bulls Academy team. The Red Bulls won the Atlantic Division and ranked fourth overall entering the playoffs.
Both Lochner and Zajec have spent time with the RBNY2 squad as well.
Also playing for Academy teams this summer were goalkeeper Will Carlson (Harrison, N.Y./Rye Country Day School) with Albertson FC, midfielder Edson Martinez (Salem, Ore./North Salem) with the Portland Timbers Academy and midfielder Brendan McDonough (Matthews, N.C./Charlotte Catholic) with the Carolina Rapids Academy.
Martinez has also spent time with the Timbers' USL PDL U-23 squad and suited up for T2 games. McDonough has spent time training with the Charlotte Independence of the USL Pro League.
The U.S. Soccer Development Academy is a program that provides education, resources and support to impact everyday club environments that will develop world-class players. Academy teams are required to train a minimum of four days per week and will play approximately 30 games per year. There are 88 U-13/14 clubs as well as 77 U-15/16 and U-17/18 clubs participating in the program.
