Jan. 16, 2009

TULSA, Oklahoma - University of Tulsa men's soccer standouts Tyrel Lacey and Chris Clements were both selected in the fourth round of the Major League Soccer SuperDraft. Lacey was the 55th overall pick and was picked up by the New England Revolution, while Clements was 60th and was chosen by the Columbus Crew.

"I am very proud of Chris and Tyrel," Head Coach Tom McIntosh said. "They have worked very hard to have this opportunity to play professional soccer. One of our beliefs as a coaching staff is that we can win championships while developing players, and I wish them all the best."

Lacey was a four-year letterwinner from Jenks, Okla. During his career he logged 3,620 minutes in goal and posted 159 saves for a 0.99 goals-against average. As a senior, Lacey started in all 22 games, spent nearly 2,000 minutes in goal and tallied 77 saves for a .846 saves percentage. He allowed just 14 goals last season for a .63 GAA and recorded eight shutouts.

Lacey concluded his senior season ranked 17th nationally for his GAA and 19th for his saves percentage. He received all-Conference USA first team honors, was named to the Top Drawer Soccer Team of the Season third team and was selected to the NSCAA/adidas NCAA All-Midwest Region second team.

A four-year letterwinner from Allen, Texas, Clements started 73 of 78 career games and tallied three goals and one assist for seven points. As a senior, he started 17 of 18 games played after sitting out the beginning of the season due to injury. Clements attempted four shots from his defender position, and helped post nine shutouts on the year.

Clements was named to the Missouri Athletic Club's Hermann Trophy Watch List, was chosen as a College Soccer News Preseason All-America third team selection and earned C-USA Preseason Team honors. He received all-C-USA second team accolades and was named to the NSCAA/adidas NCAA All-Midwest Region first team.

All four core soccer positions - Forward, Midfielder, Defender and Goalkeeper - have been represented in the MLS SuperDraft from Tulsa. Former players that have been drafted in the last five years include Ryan Pore (2004), Kyle Brown (2005), Lawson Vaughn (2005), Daniel Wasson (2005) and Dominic Cervi (2007).