College soccer player from Sacramento honored in Philadelphia

Sacramento native Padraic McCullough bounced back in his junior season with a career high five goals and five assists in one of the toughest conferences in college soccer. His efforts didn't go unnoticed.

McCullaugh was named to the Philadelphia Soccer Six All-Star team at a banquet on Tuesday night. The 6-foot-6, 220-pound target forward for Villanova had an injury shortened sophomore season and had three goals and an assist in his freshman year.

He started all 17 games for the Wildcats, which went 9-8-0 and 4-5-0 in Big East play after starting only three of the eight games he played in 2014. Three of his five goals were game-winners in 2015.

Prior to college, McCullaugh played for the U17 Placer Blues '95 club, which was ranked No. 1 in the nation and won the NorCal State Cup in 2012. He also spent time playing for the U16 California Development Academy and San Juan Lightning '95 Blue.

McCullaugh is one of nine players with ties to Sacramento playing Division 1 soccer outside of California. New Mexico forward Niko Hansen, Harvard defender Eric Gylling, Tulsa forward Khalil Kirksey, Pacific forwards Spencer Vue and Collin Bettencourt (Elk Grove), Washington midfielder Corban Anderson (Roseville), Kentucky defender/midfielder Grant Mook (Rocklin) and Indiana midfielder Tanner Thompson (Loomis).