The men's college soccer season kicked off last week, which means it's time once again to keep up with the 12 protected players from the Dynamo Academy competing in the college ranks. Two players were signed to professional contracts last January after completing their college season, so some of these names could make an impact on the Dynamo's future.
Below is a report on Dynamo Academy players this weekend, sorted by year of eligibility:
Seniors
Daniel Roberts, MF/FW, UNC-Wilmington (Fort Bend Clements) Dynamo bio | UNCW bio
A fifth-year senior after redshirting 2010 due to injury, Roberts played 90 minutes in midfield and assisted on the lone Seahawks goal in a 3-1 loss at No. 3 North Carolina on Saturday in front of more than 2,500 fans. A preseason all-Colonial Athletic Association selection, Roberts was responsible for most UNC-Wilmington set pieces, setting up the goal with a cross from a free kick.
Roberts also had a standout moment in preseason, scoring from beyond midfield in a 3-0 win vs. North Florida on Aug. 20. Watch the video here.
Clayton Holz, MF, Stanford (St. John's) Dynamo bio | Stanford bio
Holz did not appear as Stanford dropped its season opener on the road at Santa Clara on Saturday.
Matt Kirby, MF, Denver (Beaumont Msgr. Kelly) Dynamo bio | DU bio
Kirby played 40 minutes as a substitute in No. 19 Denver's 1-0 loss to No. 6 Creighton, although the Pioneers did hold a 19-7 shot advantage. Kirby is one of 30 men's soccer players nationwide nominated for the Lowe's Senior CLASS Award honoring excellence in the classroom, in character, in the community, and in competition.
Juniors
Matt Boullt, DF, Tulsa (Fort Bend Clements) Dynamo bio | Tulsa bio
A regular on defense last year, Boullt played all 90 minutes on defense yet again in Tulsa's surprising 3-1 loss to SIU-Edwardsville. The Golden Hurricane held a 19-6 advantage in shots, and Boullt was joined in the match by two fellow Dynamo Academy alumni.
Sophomores
Sebastien Ibeagha, DF/MF, Duke (Fort Bend Hightower) Dynamo bio | Duke bio
Started on defense as the No. 23 Blue Devils were upset by UNC-Greensboro, 3-2, in their opener on Saturday. Ibeagha and Duke are back in action tonight, taking on Furman.
C.J. Odenigwe, DF, North Carolina (Fort Bend Travis) Dynamo bio | UNC bio
Odenigwe is likely to miss the entire season after suffering a preseason injury.
Johnny Torres, MF, Wake Forest (Humble Atascocita) Dynamo bio | Wake bio
Did not appear in season-opening 2-0 loss to South Florida on Saturday.
Pat Wall, GK, Notre Dame (Strake Jesuit) Dynamo bio | ND bio
Did not play as starting goalkeeper Will Walsh posted a shutout for the ninth-ranked Irish in a 0-0 tie vs. No. 15 Indiana on Saturday.
Freshmen
Leo Ayala, DF, Central Florida (Challenge Early College) Dynamo bio | UCF bio
After graduating high school one year early and therefore only becoming eligible to play shortly prior to the season, Ayala started on defense and even took a corner kick in No. 19 UCF's 2-1 win at Jacksonville on Sunday.
Alan Hernandez, DF, Rhode Island (Pearland) Dynamo bio | URI bio
Started and played all 90 minutes on defense as Rhode Island lost 2-1 at New Hampshire on Friday despite having an edge in shots and corner kicks. The game included eight yellow cards.
Ábe Matamoros, MF, Tulsa (Strake Jesuit) Dynamo bio | Tulsa bio
One of the original Dynamo Academy players, Matamoros - who played in four games, starting twice, for the Dynamo Reserves - came on as a substitute to play 31 minutes and assist on Tulsa's only goal in the Golden Hurricane's 3-1 loss to SIU-Edwardsville. His assist can be seen at the 0:35 mark of this video recap. Matamoros also scored in the preseason back on Aug. 16 against Oral Roberts.
Miguel Zapata, MF, Tulsa (Katy Mayde Creek) Dynamo bio | Tulsa bio
Started and played 38 minutes in midfield in his collegiate debut during Tulsa's 3-1 loss. Tulsa is back in action on Thursday, playing at Missouri State, and on Sunday, hosting Loyola Marymount.
Area College Teams
Houston Baptist University
The Huskies opened the season at home but fell 5-2 to Air Force. Richard Ojeda and Zach Pierce scored late in the second half for HBU. The Huskies are back in action this weekend, playing at the WVU Classic in Morgantown, W. Va., against Old Dominion and Binghamton.
Other Connections
Goalkeepers coach Tim Hanley's son, Riley Hanley, made his collegiate debut in St. Mary's 1-0 win over UC Davis on Saturday, playing 22 minutes as a substitute midfielder.
