Feb. 27, 2009

DAVIS, Calif. - The San Jose Earthquakes of Major League Soccer have signed former UC Davis men's soccer player Quincy Amarikwa to a contract, the club has announced. Amarikwa became the first Aggie to be drafted in the MLS SuperDraft when the Earthquakes took him in the third round last month.

Amarikwa was signed to the Earthquakes' senior roster, which also makes him the first Aggie to achieve that status. The All-American forward has already begun to make a name for himself at the professional level during the first month of the preseason. Amarikwa's first professional goal was the game-winning strike in a 3-2 victory over the Seattle Sounders (United Soccer Leagues) in San Luis Obispo.

Amarikwa, who was named the 2008 Big West Conference Offensive Player of the Year, finished his Aggie career ranked in the top five all-time with 38 goals and 69 points.

According to UC Davis head coach Dwayne Shaffer, former Aggie goalkeeper Nic Platter is also competing at the MLS level. He is currently training with DC United with the hope of making the squad. He has played professionally with the Minnesota Thunder of the USL. Also, Shaffer said that Sule Anibaba is currently trying out for the Portland Timbers of the North American Soccer League.