July 11, 2006

EVANSTON, Ill.-- Northwestern men's soccer coach Tim Lenahan Tuesday announced the addition of transfer Daniel Pydo (Glen Ellyn, Ill./Glenbard West/Georgetown) to his 2006 roster. A 6-1 defender, Pydo spent the 2002-04 seasons at Georgetown University before sitting out the 2005 season with an injury.

"Dan is a great addition to our team," Lenahan said. "We recruited him out of high school and we're glad that he has decided to finish his playing career while starting graduate school at Northwestern. He brings experience, size and toughness to our defense, either in the back or in the midfield."

Pydo, who will have one year of eligibility for the 'Cats, served as the anchor of the Hoyas' defensive midfield for three seasons before sustaining an injury that sidelined him all of last season.

Pydo's arrival is a welcome addition to Northwestern's back line where the 'Cats lost starters Brad Napper (now an assistant coach at NU) and Jaro Pylypczak to graduation, both four-year starters.

Pydo started 47-of-50 games over his three playing seasons and enjoyed his best year in 2003 when he was Georgetown's third-leading scorer with 11 points (four goals, three assists). He recorded one assist while starting all 17 games in which he played as a freshman in 2002. In 2004, he started 14-of-16 games and took eight shots.

The Glen Ellyn, Ill. native graduated Georgetown with a bachelor's degree in political science and will be pursuing his master's degree in sports administration at Northwestern in the fall.