Charlotte Eagles News Release -- www.charlotteeagles.com
Tuesday, January 28, 2014
CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- With mixed emotions, the Charlotte Eagles will say goodbye to three-year starter Eric Reed this offseason. The USL PRO 2013 Goalkeeper of the Year finalist has accepted an assistant coaching job at Bowling Green State University after coaching at Davidson College last season.
Reed has been the starter for the Charlotte Eagles the past three seasons and in that time has racked up an Eagles' record 28 wins. He was a finalist for USL PRO's Goalkeeper of the Year award in both 2011 and 2013. Reed was also the backbone of a run to the 2013 USL PRO Championship Game while recording 10 wins and eight shutouts on the season.
"Eric will be a huge loss to our organization and it is with mixed emotions that we send them into the next phase of his life. We will miss his goalkeeping, leadership, and professionalism," said Eagles' Coach Mark Steffens. "I wish Eric and Maria all the very best as they move on to impact the lives of young people in the field of coaching. They are family to me so it is very hard to let them go, although I know it is exactly where he is meant to be."
Reed attended UCLA, where he started at least 16 matches in each of his final three seasons. As a junior in 2005, he earned All-Pac-10 First-Team honors as well as NSCAA/Adidas All-Far West Third-Team accolades, after leading the Bruins to the conference title. In his senior season of 2006, Reed recorded shutouts in three of five NCAA Tournament games, as UCLA advanced all the way to the national championship match.
While at UCLA, Reed played for Charlotte's PDL affiliate, the Southern California Seahorses. In 2006 he earned PDL Goalkeeper of the Year while playing for the Seahorses.
Reed's list of on the field accomplishments are long and storied but he would say that it was the off the field moments that will last the longest with him. "It would be easy to tell stories of championship runs and big wins but my absolute favorite memories all include seeing lives changed and seeing Jesus realized in people's hearts," Reed added "From kids at camp to teammates getting baptized during the season, the work of God amongst the Eagles has been miraculous and powerful."
Reed is extremely excited about where God has called him. Bowling Green State University is located in Bowling Green, Ohio. He and his wife are expecting their first child soon and she is from the northern Ohio area. Reed is excited to take what he has learned at the Eagles and pass it on to future generations.
"There are so many incredible things that excite me about BGSU," Reed said. "If I had to choose one thing then it would be the opportunity to work with other great individuals in order to invest in the lives of young men. I have been blessed to train and learn under some incredible coaches and leaders. I hope that my investment in the future generation can carry the same weight and value as others have passed on to me."