IGNITION SELECT FIVE DURING MISL COLLEGE DRAFT

Ann Arbor native Corey Elenio leads Detroit’s draft class

Southfield, Mich. – The Detroit Ignition has announced the selection of University of Evansville midfielder Corey Elenio with the club’s first selection in the 2008 Major Indoor Soccer League College Draft, which was held via teleconference on Tuesday.

Elenio, a native of Ann Arbor, finished his senior year at the University of Evansville with seven goals and nine assists for 23 points, ranking him third in the Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) in scoring and 24th nationally in assists.

During his four years at Evansville, Elenio scored 18 goals and posted 19 assists, and became the 18th leading scorer in school history. He was named to the NSCAA All-Midwest Region team and First Team All-MVC in both 2006 and 2007.

“Bob (Lilley) and I are very excited with our college draft selections,” said Mark Pulisic, Ignition Director of Soccer Operations.  “We picked some great athletes, and feel they all have the ability to bring their game indoors.  They have all had success at their respective schools and we look forward to the possibility of working with these young men.”

With its first numerical pick, the club selected Loyola University-Chicago defender Iradj Farahmand.  The Northbrook, Illinois native was named Horizon League Defensive Player of the Year in 2007.  Farahmand captained a Loyola defense that equaled a school-record tying ten shutouts for the second consecutive season.

With its second-round pick, Detroit selected Stanley Nyazamba, a midfielder from Lee University in Tennessee.  The 6-1, 165-pounder from Bulawayo, Zimbabwe was named to the Southern States Athletic Conference’s All-Conference Team in 2007.

Defender Adam Chavez from Binghamton University was the Ignition’s third-round choice.  Chavez was named an NSCAA/Adidas First-Team Scholar All-American for the 2007 season.  Chavez, who was chosen the America East Defender of the Year, led the Bearcats to the league's regular-season title and a runner-up performance in the conference tournament.

With the club’s final selection, the Ignition chose Tiyselani Shipalane, a midfielder from Lindsey Wilson College.  The Louisville, Kentucky native was named to the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics’ All-American Second Team, as well being awarded All Mid-South Conference honors.