Lane soccer coach kicks it around

Dave Ellis also coaches a community boy's team

Alan K. Fox

Dave Ellis [Click to enlarge]

Dave Ellis, Lane women's soccer head coach, spreads his love and knowledge of soccer to his team on campus and extends it out to the Eugene community.

Ellis, who started his second season at Lane this fall, also reaches those talents out to an age 16 and under boy's team, The Fusion. The team is a part of the Eugene Metro Fútbol Club, an Adidas Premier Soccer club.

The Fusion will take its team to the Washington Premier Field Complex, located in Puyallup, Wash., to play in the Showcase of Champions, May 21-23.

The Showcase provides an opportunity for players to demonstrate their talents on the field to a large crowd of coaches and scouts from colleges and universities. It also gives athletes an opportunity to learn about college recruitment and scholarships.

"I would coach this team for free," Ellis said. "I love these guys." The team recently made a trip to Las Vegas to compete in the Player Showcase and made it to the semi-finals. Other recent accomplishments include, 2010 FC Portland Winter Showcase Semifinalist, 2009 Oswego Nike Cup Semifinalist, and 2009 US Club Soccer Region G Championships.

For more information on The Fusion, or any other team involved with the club, go to https://emfc.org.