Patrick Brennan

pbrennan@enquirer.com

Greater Cincinnati has produced another Major League Soccer player.

Jake Stovall, of Centerville, Wright State University and Cincinnati United Premier soccer club, was selected Tuesday in the MLS SuperDraft by Seattle Sounders FC with the 66th overall pick – the final pick of the third round.

Stovall, a defender, contributed in 2016 to a Wright State back line the maintained a goals against average of less than one goal per game.

Over three years with Wright State, Stovall scored nine goals and tallied 19 total offensive points.

"We are tremendously proud for Jake for all of his hard work and dedication to achieve this accomplishment," CUP Boys Assistant Director of Coaching Chris O'Neal said in a message to The Enquirer. "We look forward to hearing great things as he begins to make his mark in the MLS. He is an example of the continued development pathway for our boys program that has consistently placed players in the MLS."

Stovall's Wright State teammate, Peguy Ngatcha, was also taken in the draft. Ngatcha was taken with the 86th overall selection (fourth round) by the Colorado Rapids.

Stovall and Ngatcha are the second and third-ever Wright State players taken in an MLS draft.

The program's first-ever draft selection was Winston Marshall, who was taken in the third round by the FC Dallas Burn in 2005.

"For Wright State, this is a huge moment for the university, athletic department and men's soccer program," Wright State head coach Bryan Davis told WSURaiders.com. "I couldn't be more proud of the two men selected as they were rewarded for the risk and chance they took on a young coach and growing program when they decided to attend here a few years ago."

"Their four years here helped develop them as players but more so as fine men. They deserve all they achieve and all that comes their way. We are very excited for them."

It's been a banner week for Cincinnati's soccer scene as several notable locals were selected in soccer drafts.

Xavier University's Jalen Brown was selected in the second round of the MLS SuperDraft on Friday by New York City FC.

NYCFC takes Xavier product in MLS SuperDraft

On Thursday, CUP, Mount Notre Dame and Wisconsin Badgers product Rose Lavelle was taken with the No. 1 overall pick in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) College Draft.