Feb. 27, 2003

ST. BONAVENTURE, N.Y. - St. Bonaventure freshman Andy Garcia has been named to the Canadian Under-20 National Soccer Team. The first Bona soccer player to be named to a national team, Garcia will represent his country at the FIFA Under 20 World Championships, which begin March 26 in the United Arab Emirates. He is a native of Mississauga, Ontario, and a graduate of Fr. Michael Goetz High School.

Garcia, who is a midfielder, will train with his new teammates at Team Canada's facilities in British Columbia from March 3-10. The team will then travel to Turkey for two practice games prior to the World Championships.

"I see it as the chance of a lifetime," said Garcia. "I am not only going to represent my country and my family but St. Bonaventure, too."

Garcia was named to the Atlantic 10 Conference All-Rookie Team after he totaled five goals and three assists for the Bonnies last fall.

Garcia has been in Canada's national junior pool since he was 14 years old. This is his first selection to any of Canada's national teams, a direct reflection of his progress at St. Bonaventure.

"To make the national team is a big jump up from the junior pool," said St. Bonaventure men's soccer coach Bill Brady. "Andy's always been in the mix, though. He's had a productive first year here. He's professional in his training habits and has a fantastic work ethic in everything he does. He just loves the game so much."

Canada's opening round opponents at the World Championships will be Brazil (March 26), Australia (March 29) and the Czech Republic (April 1).

"It will be an honor to play Brazil, who is world renowned (in soccer)," said Garcia. "We're going to go with the mentality of doing our best. It will be hard but not impossible."

Garcia stands just 5-feet-6 inches tall but has added about 12 pounds of muscle since he enrolled at St. Bonaventure through a vigorous workout regimen and now weighs around 155 lbs. Quickness, ball control and a high velocity shot are his strengths on the field.

Brady has high hopes for what Garcia will draw from his experiences over the next month, and for what Garcia will be able to relate to his St. Bonaventure teammates.

"Without a doubt, his confidence will rise because he'll be on the field with the best players in the world his age," Brady said. "Hopefully, Andy will inspire the other players in our program and help elevate their games, too. His teammates and I are thrilled for Andy and very, very proud of him."

Garcia's personal goals are simple and his motivation is clear.

"I want to play to the best of my ability," he said. "My goal is to prove to the coaches that they made the right decision to call on me."