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Lilavois Retires
Thursday Feb 15, 2007
(STOCKTON, CALIF., FEBRUARY 15, 2007) – California Cougars forward Bernie Lilavois made official what he announced last Saturday. He finished as a player. The 18-year veteran hung up his playing uniform Thursday in favor of a suit and tie and a place behind the bench. Lilavois announced his retirement as a player Saturday night following California’s 20-18 victory over the Stars of Mexico. Lilavois will continue as the Cougars head coach.
In his second season with the Cougars, Lilavois joined the club after spending the previous 4 MISL seasons in retirement.
Lilavois began his professional soccer career with the San Francisco Bay Blackhawks and was a member of the 1991 APSL National Championship Team. Lilavois also had a brief stint with Ayr United of the Scottish First Division.
Since 2000 he has been a member of the United States National Futsal Team where he helped the squad earn a bronze medal in Costa Rica during the Concacaf Tournament that year. In 2004 he helped Team USA to the Goal Cup Championship, scoring a goal in the Final versus Mexico. Among his numerious career awards, Lilavois was named Team MVP for the Charleston Battery of the A-League in 1998, a CISL All-Star in 1997 with Anaheim Splash, an All-League Selection in 1997, 1999, 2000 & 2001 and was named to All-Decade Team with Harrisburg Heat in 2001.
Lilavois attended Cal State Northridge, helping them to a NCAA Division II runner-up finish in 1988. He is a graduate of La Salle High School in Pasadena, Calif. where he holds the school record for scoring was named to the school’s Hall of Fame.
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