BLOOMINGTON, Ind. (U-WIRE) -- Junior forward Ned Grabavoy will forgo his senior season of eligibility at Indiana and enter the 2004 MLS SuperDraft on Jan. 16 in Charlotte, N.C. The All-American has signed a contract with the MLS and is one of eight players signed as part of Major League Soccer's Nike Project-40 class that was recently unveiled by the league.

In 2003, Grabavoy carried the Hoosiers to their sixth national championship, leading the team with 33 points on 11 goals and 11 assists in 21 games. As co-captain, Grabavoy was one of 15 finalists for the Missouri Athletic Club Herman Trophy handed out to the nation's top player.

"My mind was kind of made up before this past season that it was time to move on," Grabavoy said. "It is what's best for me and the development of me as a player. Winning the championship really helps, sending me out on a good note."

Grabavoy missed four matches during the NCAA Tournament while playing for the United States U-20 Team in the World Youth Championships held in the United Arab Emirates, but returned for the championship match and netted IU's first goal off a free kick.

He was named to the College Cup All-Tournament Team.

"Not winning the championship would not have changed my decision. I was very confident that I could come back and get the chance to play in the Final Four," Grabavoy said. "I think most of the guys kind of had an idea that I would be leaving. I will always maintain friendships with those guys."

Grabavoy played in 54 games during his Hoosier career, where he netted 57 points on 18 goals and 21 assists. He is the first IU player to turn pro early since Dema Kovalenko in 1998.

"We're happy for Ned, for he has made great contributions to IU soccer for three years," coach Mike Freitag said. "We were happy to have him for three years since he was so highly touted out of high school, so we are glad he stuck around to get coach his final championship."

Some of the players joining Grabavoy on the 2004 MLS Nike-Project Class are 14-year old forward phenom Freddy Adu, defender Ryan Cochrane and goalkeeper Steve Cronin, both from semifinalist Santa Clara.

Grabavoy, undersized at just 5-foot-7, understands the physical challenge awaiting him in the MLS.

"I know I'll have to get stronger, but I am used to physical play," Grabavoy said. "There are many things that I possess that you can't teach other players, but right now strength is the biggest thing for me, and I think I've continued to improve on that."

With junior forward Mike Ambersley returning to the club, Freitag is optimistic about next season, even without their top scorer.

"You're going to miss a player of his magnitude whether it would be goals or assists, but the college game is different each year," Freitag said. "With Ambersley returning, we have an adequate replacement and [he] is similar to Ned in quality but different in what they can do."

(C) 2004 Indiana Daily Student via U-WIRE.