Photo by: Alex King
Piatczyc Earns MLS Combine Invitation
December 13, 2018 05:41 PM | Men's Soccer
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – West Virginia University men's soccer senior midfielder Joey Piatczyc has been invited to participate in the 2019 MLS Player Combine.
One of 60 college players invited to the Combine by Major League Soccer, Piatczyc will play in front of representatives from all 24 MLS clubs from Jan. 3-9, 2019, in Orlando, Florida. The Combine is held in advance of the 2019 SuperDraft, on Jan. 11.
Piatczyc is the ninth Mountaineer to earn an invitation to the Combine during coach Marlon LeBlanc's 13-year tenure. WVU will be one of just two Mid-American Conference schools represented at the Combine.
"I am very excited and thankful for the opportunity," Piatczyc said. "I can't thank Marlon and the program enough for helping me get to where I am. This is another step in the right direction for me. After the great season that we just had, I am very confident that I will be able to show everything that I have. There is still a sour taste in my mouth from not going further in the NCAA Tournament, so that will help fuel me as well."
"Congratulations to Joey on his selection to the Adidas/MLS Senior Combine," LeBlanc said. "He has proven himself to be one of the best players in college soccer and his selection to the Combine is validation for all the work he's put in. We are all very proud of Joey and wish him the best of luck in the future as a professional footballer."
The Lee's Summit, Missouri, native was named to the United Soccer Coaches All-America Third Team and the All-North Region First Team. His record-breaking senior campaign also included Mid-American Conference Player of the Year accolades as he led the Mountaineers to a MAC regular-season championship and an NCAA Tournament appearance.
Piatczyc concluded his senior season ranked No. 7 nationally with 0.56 assists per game and 10 total assists, No. 11 with five game-winning goals, No. 27 with 1.44 points per game and No. 29 with 26 total points. He also led the team with eight goals and was second with 36 shots and 17 shots on goal.
His five game-winning goals tied a program record, while his 0.56 assists per game rank No. 5 all-time and his 10 game-winning points and 10 assists are both tied for No. 6 in team history.
In league play, Piatczyc paced the conference with 11 points and two game-winning goals and was second with four goals, 15 shots and eight shots on goal. Along with his MAC Player of the Year honor, he was the third player in MAC history to earn five Player of the Week accolades in a single season.
Piatczyc's 35 career assists, five multi-assist matches and 0.50 assists per match are all program records, and he is No. 2 all-time with 11 game-winning assists and No. 6 with 21 game-winning points.
In 2015, Piatczyc set the school record for assists in a single season, with 13, and his eight assists in 2014 are tied for ninth-most all-time. His five game-winning assists in 2015 tied a school record, and his 0.68 assists per match in 2015 rank No. 2 in the WVU record books.
Along with the accolades earned in 2018, Piatczyc was named the MAC Freshman of the Year in 2014 and was recognized to the All-MAC First Team in 2016 and the All-MAC Second Team in 2015. He was named to the Academic All-Big 12 At-Large Second Team in 2016 and was voted the Abel "Shadow" Sebele Players' Player of the Year by his teammates in 2015.
For more information on the Mountaineers, follow @WVUMensSoccer on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
One of 60 college players invited to the Combine by Major League Soccer, Piatczyc will play in front of representatives from all 24 MLS clubs from Jan. 3-9, 2019, in Orlando, Florida. The Combine is held in advance of the 2019 SuperDraft, on Jan. 11.
Piatczyc is the ninth Mountaineer to earn an invitation to the Combine during coach Marlon LeBlanc's 13-year tenure. WVU will be one of just two Mid-American Conference schools represented at the Combine.
"I am very excited and thankful for the opportunity," Piatczyc said. "I can't thank Marlon and the program enough for helping me get to where I am. This is another step in the right direction for me. After the great season that we just had, I am very confident that I will be able to show everything that I have. There is still a sour taste in my mouth from not going further in the NCAA Tournament, so that will help fuel me as well."
"Congratulations to Joey on his selection to the Adidas/MLS Senior Combine," LeBlanc said. "He has proven himself to be one of the best players in college soccer and his selection to the Combine is validation for all the work he's put in. We are all very proud of Joey and wish him the best of luck in the future as a professional footballer."
The Lee's Summit, Missouri, native was named to the United Soccer Coaches All-America Third Team and the All-North Region First Team. His record-breaking senior campaign also included Mid-American Conference Player of the Year accolades as he led the Mountaineers to a MAC regular-season championship and an NCAA Tournament appearance.
Piatczyc concluded his senior season ranked No. 7 nationally with 0.56 assists per game and 10 total assists, No. 11 with five game-winning goals, No. 27 with 1.44 points per game and No. 29 with 26 total points. He also led the team with eight goals and was second with 36 shots and 17 shots on goal.
His five game-winning goals tied a program record, while his 0.56 assists per game rank No. 5 all-time and his 10 game-winning points and 10 assists are both tied for No. 6 in team history.
In league play, Piatczyc paced the conference with 11 points and two game-winning goals and was second with four goals, 15 shots and eight shots on goal. Along with his MAC Player of the Year honor, he was the third player in MAC history to earn five Player of the Week accolades in a single season.
Piatczyc's 35 career assists, five multi-assist matches and 0.50 assists per match are all program records, and he is No. 2 all-time with 11 game-winning assists and No. 6 with 21 game-winning points.
In 2015, Piatczyc set the school record for assists in a single season, with 13, and his eight assists in 2014 are tied for ninth-most all-time. His five game-winning assists in 2015 tied a school record, and his 0.68 assists per match in 2015 rank No. 2 in the WVU record books.
Along with the accolades earned in 2018, Piatczyc was named the MAC Freshman of the Year in 2014 and was recognized to the All-MAC First Team in 2016 and the All-MAC Second Team in 2015. He was named to the Academic All-Big 12 At-Large Second Team in 2016 and was voted the Abel "Shadow" Sebele Players' Player of the Year by his teammates in 2015.
For more information on the Mountaineers, follow @WVUMensSoccer on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
Players Mentioned
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