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Greetings!
Pike Youth Soccer Club-Indy Burn (PSC), an Indianapolis Department of Parks and Recreation partner, announced 2 former club players drafted in the 2012 Major League Soccer (MLS) SuperDraft Thursday (1/12/12) afternoon. Matt Hedges was selected as the 11th pick overall and drafted by FC Dallas professional soccer team! Raymon Gaddis was selected in the second round (35th overall) by the Philadelphia Union pro team.
Hedges and Gaddis were both members of the Indy Burn '90 Boys Premier Eagles team that was coached by current I.U.P.U.I. Men's Soccer Coach Isang Jacob. The '90' Eagles won a record 8 consecutive Indiana Soccer Association state titles from 2002-2009 and were the 2009 US Youth Soccer Region II Champions and National Championship finalist. Hedges was a member for 7 of those titles while Gaddis played on all 8 championship teams.
Indy Burn '90 Boys Premier Eagles 2009 Indiana Soccer Association State Champion team. Raymon Gaddis front row, second from left. Matt Hedges second row, fifth from left.
"I was blessed to have both Matt and Ray play for me," Coach Jacob said. "They were dedicated fine young men who had an unique drive to constantly get better and push themselves against the strongest competition available. I am very proud of what they have accomplished in their amateur college careers and am looking forward to seeing them mature into professional soccer players."
Matt Hedges, Carmel, IN, was the central defender for the University of North Carolina 2011 NCAA Men's Soccer National Championship team. He was also named the ACC Defensive Player of the Year. He was the first Tar Heel to be named the ACC Defensive Player of the Year since the inception of the award in 2004.
"Just to finally be a professional and get to play soccer. It's my job. It's what I've wanted to do all my life and I finally get to do it. It's great," Hedges said. "I think it's a culmination of all the hard work I've put in and as well as my family. They've been driving me to practices all the time and doing everything for me. It's a wonderful moment for our family."
Hedges spent his first three collegiate season at Butler University before transferring to the University of North Carolina for his senior year. While at Butler he was the two-time Horizon League Defensive Player of the Year. Hedges was a second team All-American in 2010 and a first team All-American in 2011.
Raymon Gaddis, Indianapolis, IN, was a defender for the West Virginia University men's soccer team. He played in 73 career games and lead the Mountaineers to two NCAA Tournament second round appearances.
"It is a great honor and blessing to be selected in this year's draft," Gaddis said. "It's a very exciting moment for me and family and it is what I have dreamed of and worked for all my life."
Gaddis earned multiple awards while attending WVU including; two-time MAC Hermann Trophy Watch list member, third team All-American in 2010, first team NSCAA all-Northeast in 2009, two-time second team all-BIG EAST, two-time all-BIG EAST Preseason team member and a 2011 CollegeSoccerNews Second Team Preseason All-American.
Matt Hedges and Raymon Gaddis at MLS SuperDraft
