Courtesy of Loyola Maryland Athletic Communications 

BALTIMORE – Josh Fawole become the first Loyola University Maryland men's soccer player chosen in the MLS SuperDraft since 2009 on Thursday, with the senior forward selected by DC United with the 42nd overall pick midway through the second round.

Fawole was the lone Patriot League player taken on Day 1 of the two-day draft, and the Columbia, Md., native will not have to travel far to begin his professional career. He is the third Greyhound in team history to be chosen in the SuperDraft, joining Milos Kocic (2009) and Christof Lindenmayer (2000, 2002).

"This is a tremendous honor for both Josh and our program," head coach Steve Nichols said. "Josh is as dynamic as they come, he does things that most college players can't do. He was unstoppable late in the regular season this fall, with the goal at Wake Forest an example of what he's capable of. If he can maintain that level of play on a consistent basis, the sky is the limit for him professionally."

A three-time All-Patriot League performer, Fawole was a first team selection as a senior after totaling eight goals and two assists to help Loyola top the regular season conference standings for a record-breaking third year in a row. Fawole recorded 16 of his 18 points in the final 10 games of the regular season, with the Greyhounds going 8-1-1 during that stretch. 

The lone tie in that 10-game run was a 1-1 draw with a then-No. 2 Wake Forest squad which ultimately advanced to the NCAA Final Four. Fawole provided the tying goal for Loyola with 12 seconds remaining in regulation, with his strike featured on Sports Center's Top 10 plays for the evening.

Fawole finished his Loyola career with 20 goals and 10 assists across 68 appearances (47 starts). The Greyhounds went 41-24-7 during his four years with the program, including a 27-6-3 mark against Patriot League opponents.

In addition to his All-Patriot League accolades, Fawole was a second team United Soccer Coaches All-Atlantic Region performer in 2019, a four-time Patriot League Offensive Player of the Week honoree and a Patriot League All-Tournament team selection in 2017. Prior to joining Loyola, Fawole was a two-time leading goal scorer at Long Reach High School in Columbia.

The MLS SuperDraft consists of four rounds, with the final two scheduled to take place next Monday. A total of 141 players were eligible for the draft, with Loyola seniors Brian Saramago and Barry Sharifi among those who will hope to hear their names called next week.