Burke picks USF

At around 8 a.m. at Corona del Mar High, senior Bryan Burke signed a national letter of intent Wednesday to play soccer at the University of San Francisco.

The signature meant relief for Burke, but it also served as an exclamation point to the work he has put in since age 4. That’s when he started playing soccer. At 9, he took it serious, when he competed in club.

Now, he’s just ready to take the next step, and that’s at the University of San Francisco.

He visited USF in December and knew it was the place for him, picking it over Loyla Marymount. It will also be challenging for the midfielder.

The Dons (12-7-1) earned their third straight NCAA Tournament berth this past season. They’ll be looking to rid a sour taste, as they lost in the final 18 seconds, 1-0, to visiting New Mexico.

USF finished second in the West Coast Conference and returns WCC Player of the Year Rob Valentino, a midfielder who will be a senior.

Steve Virgen