TAMPA, JAN. 20, 2015 – Two more former Bulls are heading to play professional soccer as Nikola Paunic and Lucas Baldin were both selected in the fourth round of the MLS SuperDraft on Tuesday afternoon.
Paunic was selected by the Vancouver Whitecaps with the 74th overall pick while Baldin was taken three picks later by Real Salt Lake.
USF has now had seven defenders drafted in the past five years and two this year with Paunic being picked by Vancouver. He joins Wesley Charpie, who was taken in the second round by Toronto FC last week as well as Ben Sweat (2014), Brenton Griffiths (2013), Ashani Fairclough (2013), Aubrey Perry (2012) and Javed Mohammed (2011).
Paunic was an integral piece on the Bulls' back four, starting all but one game in the past two seasons. The Toronto, Ontario native helped USF post 16 shutouts in the past two seasons and was named to the American Athletic Conference All-Tournament Team this year.
Baldin had a breakout season for the Bulls, leading the team and setting career highs in goals (five), assists (nine) and points (19). The midfielder from Taubate, Brazil also racked up the awards and honors in 2014 after being named a semifinalist for the MAC Hermann Trophy, NSCAA East All-Region first team and All-American Athletic Conference first team.
Over his USF career, Baldin scored 10 goals to go along with nine assists for 29 points. He also helped lead the Bulls to an American Athletic Conference Championship in 2013, three NCAA Tournament appearances and a run to the Elite Eight in 2011.
Make sure to follow the men's soccer team on social media (Twitter / Facebook / Instagram) and visit GoUSFBulls.com for the most up-to-date information.
The men's soccer program has been one of the most successful teams on campus over the years, making it to seven NCAA tournaments in the last eight years. They won the inaugural American Athletic Conference Championship in 2013 and Head Coach George Kiefer has also led the Bulls to two Elite Eight appearances and four conference titles in his 12 seasons as head coach. Follow the men's soccer team on social media (Twitter / Facebook / Instagram) and visit GoUSFBulls.com for the most up-to-date information.
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