Lobo Hansen goes Super high in Draft

All-American selected ninth overall by the Columbus Crew

LOS ANGELES — University of New Mexico men’s soccer All-American Niko Hansen was selected with the 9th overall pick in the first round of the 2017 Major League Soccer SuperDraft by the Columbus Crew SC on Friday.

Hansen, who signed an early guaranteed MLS contract, is the second-highest MLS SuperDraft pick in Lobo program history. Blake Smith who was selected eighth in 2013

by the Montreal Impact.

Hansen was one of just 10 college seniors to sign an MLS guaranteed contract prior to the SuperDraft on Friday and the only player to do so from Conference USA. In addition, Hansen is the second Lobo to be drafted to the Columbus Crew following Brandon Moss who was chosen in the third round in 2006.

A 5-foot-10, 170-pound forward from Sacramento, Calif., Hansen helped the Lobos to their first Conference USA Tournament Championship and the second round of the NCAA Tournament last fall. He completed his career with 70 points on 28 goals and 14 assists including an outstanding 13 goals in just his senior season.

Hansen finished the season ranked second nationally in game-winning goals (7) and 11th in total goals (13). He also ranked 15th in the nation in total points (29).

With the first two rounds of the 2017 MLS SuperDraft complete, rounds 3 and 4 will take place via conference call on Tuesday, Jan. 17. Chris Wehan looks to be selected in the third or fourth round, per draft projections

Expansion MLS franchise Minnesota United selected UCLA forward Abu Danladi with the first overall pick, preferring the Ghanaian prospect to better-known names. Danladi led UCLA last season with seven goals despite playing in just 11 matches because of injury.