MEN'S SOCCER SENIOR ELI MILLAN DRAFTED IN MISL DRAFT

1/30/2008

STOCKTON, Calif. – Sacramento State senior midfielder Eli Millan was drafted in the fourth round of the Major Indoor Soccer League College Draft by the Stockton-based California Cougars on Tuesday, Jan. 29.

Millan became the third player in as many years from the Sacramento State men’s soccer team to be drafted by the Cougars, joining former Hornets Matt McDougall (2002-05 and current goalkeeper coach) and Pedro Lupercio (2003-06). Both McDougall and Lupercio currently play for the main club, while Millan will begin his time with the Cougars junior team, the Stockton Pumas, who compete in the Premier Arena Soccer League.

“We’re excited to have someone drafted for the third straight year,” head coach Mike Linenberger said. “We have a good relationship with the Cougars, and they are realizing that we are developing players who can play at that competitive next level.”

Millan, a native of Santa Ana, Calif. scored 10 goals and collected 27 points during his four years in the Green and Gold. Millan posted a career-high in goals with five during his sophomore campaign in 2004, while creating a career-high six assists during his junior season in 2006. Millan scored a lone goal this season, a golden goal against UNLV, but earned second team all-Mountain Pacific Sports Federation for the second straight season. He had made the move for his senior campaign from attacker to central midfielder, bringing senior leadership to a midfield composed primarily of freshmen.

“Eli didn’t have a good year statistically, but he sacrificed his stats and scoring opportunities as an attacker to make the team as a whole better in the midfield,” Linenberger said. “We’re excited for him, as he has a game that could adapt to indoor soccer well. He has good, quick feet, and works hard, but he does not have much experience in the indoor game, so he will have a lot to learn.”

Millan graduated in December from Sacramento State with a degree in organizational communication.