Howe, Luke among nation’s top freshmen in college soccer

Two former Corona del Mar High standouts have been recognized by TopDrawerSoccer.com among the top 100 college freshmen in the nation in 2012.

Grady Howe, who played in 19 games and started 16 for the UCLA men’s program, was ranked No. 44 after being recognized second-team All-American by College Soccer News. Howe split time between right back and defensive midfield for the Bruins, who finished 13-3-3 and lost in the second round of the NCAA tournament.

Howe, 18, was one of six Bruins to play in all 19 games.

After earning first-team All-Pacific Coast League honors as a CdM freshman in 2008-09, Howe battled injuries, before leaving the program to compete with the Los Angeles Galaxy youth academy team. He helped the Galaxy squad win the national championship in 2011 and claim the league title in 2012.

Luke, a goalkeeper at the University of Utah, was listed at No. 75 in the top 100 freshmen women.

She was also named to the Pac-12 All-Freshman team after playing in 17 games and starting 16 for the Utes. She was a part of five shutouts and posted a goals-against average of 1.12 as Utah finished 8-8-4, 2-7-2 in conference.

Luke, who sat out the 2011 season at Wake Forest, was the Newport-Mesa Player of the Year as a senior at CdM. She earned second-team All-American honors that season from ESPN Rise.

— Barry Faulkner