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Banner season looms for Ritchie, UW By DON HUNT Bryn Ritchie has established himself as one of the best college soccer players in the country. As he heads into his senior season at the University of Washington, Ritchie could become the very best. The former South Medford High standout was recently selected as one of 10 preseason favorites for the Hermann Trophy, college soccer's equivalent to the Heisman Trophy. Ritchie has also been told by soccer insiders that he could be among the top five players selected in next February's Major League Soccer draft. Ritchie is flattered by such talk, but he's been so busy playing on all-star amateur teams this summer that he hasn't had much time to ponder his future. "I really haven't given a lot of thought to that stuff," says Ritchie, meaning the Hermann Trophy and the MLS draft. "I'm just going to keep playing hard each day and let the chips fall where they may." Ritchie, a defensive specialist who normally lines up at sweeper or center fullback, was recently selected for the U-23 West Regional team and is a good bet to make the U-23 national B team when the four regional squads come together in Chicago on July 28. He's spent much of the summer playing for Sounders Select, an amateur team based in Seattle. The team, which is made up of mostly University of Washington players, made headlines earlier this month when it defeated the Dallas Burn - an MLS team - during play at the U.S. Open Cup. The score was 3-2 in overtime. The Select then met the Los Angeles Galaxy - another MLS squad - and led 1-0 early in the second half before losing 3-1. Ritchie played well in both matches and undoubtedly caught the attention of coaches on both professional teams. At 6-foot-2 and 190 pounds, Ritchie is big for a soccer player and also possesses ample quickness and athleticism. The bumping and shoving that accompanies many of the matches doesn't bother him in the least. "I love the physical aspect of the game," he says. Ritchie doesn't get a lot of chances to score while roaming the defensive end of the field, but he tallied six goals for the Huskies last season - all on headers via corner kicks or penalty kicks. "The best part of my game is when the ball's in the air," says Ritchie, who surly obtained some of his jumping ability while playing basketball at South Medford High. "I win a lot of balls with my head." Ritchie is looking forward to a trip to England next month with his Washington teammates. The Huskies will play several exhibition matches over a 12-day period in Europe before flying back to the U.S. and opening their regular season in a tournament at the University of Connecticut. UConn won the national championship last season. Washington has advanced to the playoffs all three seasons Ritchie has been with the team, but the Huskies have made early exits each time. They were knocked out in the second round by Indiana last season. However, with 10 returning starters back, the Huskies have high hopes in 2001. They 've been ranked in the top 10 in several preseason polls. "I'm really excited about this year," Ritchie says. "It's supposed to be our year. We've got a lot of good players coming back and we've got a great freshman class coming in." Early-season matches against both UConn and Indiana will serve as a measuring stick, Ritchie says. Despite missing class for several weeks throughout the school year while playing soccer, Ritchie has also excelled in the classroom. He's earned a 3.65 grade point average and could pick up a business degree next spring at the conclusion of his fourth year in college - a rare accomplishment for Division I athletes. Ritchie already has his hands in a business venture. He and a couple classmates launched a tutoring service for kindergarten through 12th-graders last spring. The business initially started in a class at the college but Ritchie and his classmates bought the company known as "Husky Tutors" for $1 at the end of the school year. The college player of the year, a first-round draft pick and a CEO - now that would be some hat trick. Reach reporter Don Hunt at 776-4469, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.