Goshen, IN — After winning back-to-back Mid-Central Conference Co-Championships and making its first trip to the NAIA National Championships since 1977, the Goshen College men’s soccer program announced its first recruit of the spring signing period on Tuesday, adding 2006 Northridge High School graduate and Stevens Institute of Technology (Hoboken, New Jersey; NCAA Div. III) transfer Luke Woodworth to its roster beginning in 2007.
Woodworth completes a triad of family heritage within the Goshen program, as older brother Jesse completed a stellar, four-year career this past season, while father Todd was a member of the GC soccer family in the mid-70’s. With Todd a member of Goshen’s 1977 team and Jesse capping his career with a trip to the national championships this past fall, Goshen College head coach Tavi Mounsithiraj said he is hoping that the Woodworth legacy can roll on.
“We’ve been joking with Luke a little bit about the fact that both his dad and his brother have played in the NAIA National Championships at Goshen and that the pressure is on him to try to replicate that,” Mounsithiraj said. “He’ll only have three years to try to get there, but he’s an awfully good player. We’re very excited that Luke decided to return to northern Indiana and attend Goshen College. Last year we recruited him really hard but he decided to attend Stevens Institute of Technology. We’re certainly happy that his latest decision has him headed back home.”
Woodworth spent only a semester at Stevens Tech — he officially transferred to Goshen this winter and has been enrolled as a full-time student during the second semester — but helped the Ducks to a Sweet 16 appearance in the NCAA Division III National Tournament during his short stay. Stevens finished the 2006 campaign with an 18-0-3 record overall and a 9-0-0 mark in Skyline Conference action, and finished as the fourth-ranked scoring offense in the nation at the Division III level (4.1 goals per game). Woodworth appeared in four games and did not tally a statistic as a defender for the Ducks, but Mounsithiraj said Woodworth would return to his natural midfielder position once in a Goshen uniform.
“I am so thrilled that we are getting someone like Luke who can come in and make an impact on our team right away,” Mounsithiraj said. “I have known Luke and his family for a very long time, and he attended our Goshen soccer camp as a kid. I had an opportunity to coach him at the club level and his team finished second in the 2004 Indiana Snicker State Cup. Luke is very good with the ball, a great passer and has the ability to create chances for others. He has great vision on the field, reads the game really well and he can score if called upon.”
Woodworth concluded a highly-decorated high school career at Northridge in 2006, after leading the Raiders to sectional and regional championships as both a junior and a senior. Woodworth finished as a four-time all-conference selection and was named all-state after his junior and senior seasons. He was named the Indiana Gatorade Player of the Year following his senior campaign, and was a 2005 National Soccer Coaches Association of America Academic All-American as well. Woodworth was also a three-year captain at Northridge, maintaining a 4.0 grade point average throughout his high school tenure.
Woodworth said he plans to major in business at Goshen College. After using one year of eligibility at Stevens Tech, he will have three seasons remaining to compete in intercollegiate soccer.
“I think Luke will represent the Goshen College community really well both on and off the field,” Mounsithiraj said. “We simply cannot wait to see him on the pitch next fall.”
Woodworth is the first announced recruit signing of the Leafs’ program this spring, and it comes at a needed time for Mounsithiraj: Goshen graduates one of the most talented classes in program history this spring, as the team’s seniors recorded a total 52 wins over the last four years (third highest in school history) and posted 28 shutouts. To read about that group’s accomplishments and 2006 post-season accolades, click here. To read about Goshen’s 2006 MCC Championship click here, about its 2006 regional title click here and about its 2006 NAIA National Championship appearance click here.
Mounsithiraj said he plans to announce additional signings in the coming weeks. Check back to this website for the latest in off-season news and recruiting information.
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Luke Woodworth