Former U20 player Matt Britner

[aussoccerfan]

from- http://www.hfxnews.ca/index.cfm?sid=92500&sc=92

"NCAA NOVA SCOTIAN REPORT: Britner scores big with defence

MATTHEW WUEST

The Daily News

It's a good thing for Matt Britner that gaudy scoring stats aren't a requirement to become one of U.S. college soccer's best players.

Otherwise, the Halifax native's three goals in 54 career games with the Brown Bears in Providence, R.I., wouldn't have earned him a spot on the Ivy League's first all-star team or an honour as a College Soccer News third-team all-American.

The Ivy League player-of-the-year award he collected last month would have been a longshot, too.

"It was somewhat unexpected because these things seem to go to the guys with the big stats," Britner said, of getting player-of-the-year honours after going scoreless in 18 games.

"We had some (other Brown) players that were worthy, for sure. But for myself to win that award, it was a great honour and a nice surprise."

Seventh Ivy League title

The six-foot-one Britner had a spectacular final year at Brown, serving as co-captain and providing the backbone to a stout defensive line that allowed just 14 goals in 16 games.

His contributions helped Brown cruise to a 7-0-0 conference record (15-1-1 overall) en route to its seventh Ivy League title in 11 years.

But the season ended in heartbreak, as the Bears opened the NCAA tournament with a second-round overtime loss to Old Dominion.

"It was a fantastic season that didn't quite end up the way we wanted it to," Britner said, summing things up. "It was unfortunate because we had a team capable of making a very good run in the NCAA tournament."

Britner wasn't the only Nova Scotian to have a banner year at Brown, as Wolfville striker Dylan Sheehan earned second-team all-Ivy honours after scoring 10 goals and adding six assists in 17 games as a junior.

"He was our motor up front," Britner said. "He works harder than just about anybody. I expect big things from him next year, as well."

Britner, a former Nova Scotia Senior Soccer League MVP with Halifax Athens, is finished at Brown and won't return for the second semester.

Because of red-shirting rules, he has a season of eligibility left in the U.S. - and two seasons in Canada - should he pursue graduate studies.

The Halifax Grammar graduate red-shirted two seasons with torn anterior cruciate ligaments. He blew out his left knee in 2004 and his right knee in 2006, but bounced back each time as a unanimous all-Ivy first-team pick.

"It was a pretty trying experience for me," said Britner, who didn't have an injury in his life before enrolling at Brown. "But as they say, 'What doesn't kill you makes you stronger.' It was a long road back, but once I did it (in 2003), I was confident I could do it again and still be a very good player."

Invited to scouting combine

The former Canadian under-20 team member said going to Brown was "one of the best decisions I've made in my life," and is now eyeing professional soccer options.

He is one of 54 college grads to be invited to Major League Soccer's scouting combine in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and has a good chance at being selected in the draft on Jan. 18.

Bedford's Ante Jazic plays for the Los Angeles Galaxy of MLS and reportedly makes more than US$100,000 a year, so it's not a bad option.

The 22-year-old Britner is also interested in pro possibilities overseas.

"Soccer's been a large part of my life and if I have an opportunity to explore something professionally, I'm going to," he said. "If I don't do it now, five years down the road I might kick myself for not doing it when I was younger.

"I'll give it a try. Hopefully it works out."

mwuest@hfxnews.ca"

[nolando]

TFC??

[Ivan]

What position does Matthew play? (I know he's a defender, but middle or on the wing?)

[Obinna]

middle