LUPERCIO DRAFTED IN FIRST ROUND BY THE CALIFORNIA COUGARS

3/8/2007

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Sacramento State’s Pedro Lupercio was drafted in the first round - 11th overall pick - by the California Cougars in the 2007 Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL) draft today.

Lupercio becomes the second former Hornet in the last two years to be drafted by the Cougars as Marco Ramirez was the second overall pick in last season’s draft. The Cougars, who play their home games in the new Stockton Arena, have five games remaining on this year’s schedule, and Lupercio will begin play with the team next season.

Lupercio, who played for Sacramento State each of the last four years (2003-06), was a two-time all-MPSF selection and appeared in 69 career matches (52 starts) for the Hornets. A native of Dixon, Calif., the rightside midfielder started all but one game last season and finished with a career-high five assists. In fact, his 10 career assists rank fifth in Sacramento State’s Div. I program history (1991-pres.).

Lupercio has been a permanent fixture in the Hornet midfield each of the last three years, finishing his career with 14 points (two goals and 10 assists). He helped lead the Hornets to a 7-10-2 overall record and a 4-4-2 record in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation this past season.

Lupercio played the past two summers for the Sacramento Knights of the National Premier Soccer League. In the summer of 2006, he scored one goal and added five assists, helping lead the Knights to the NPSL national championship.