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Men's Soccer Announces Commitments
March 20, 2008
ORONO, Maine--University of Maine men's soccer coach Pat Laughlin announced today that his program has received commitments from 10 players to attend the University of Maine this fall. The class includes first-year players Justin Facer, Ethan Lincoln, Yates Murphy, Sal Sapienza, Curtis Scobie, Ross Seagram, Daniel Tannous and Chris Wilkins. Mike Maloney and Stuart Rogers will join the Black Bears as transfers. The class includes players from six states, Canada and England. The Black Bears will add a pair of players from the State of Maine in Sam Alpert, who is already attending UMaine, and Yates Murphy. "The 2008 University of Maine men's soccer recruiting class is a large class that will push the men's soccer program forward," said head coach Pat Laughlin. "The class will have an impact on the team next fall and during their time at the University of Maine. These new players are talented, ambitious, and competitive. I look forward to working with them. In the coming weeks we should be able to announce the completion of this class with a few more additional recruits." Justin Facer is a 5-8, 155-pound midfielder from Wexford, Pa. He played his club soccer with Century V United. His team finished as Pennsylvania West State Champions in 2005, 2006 and 2007. Facer competed in the USYSA Region I Championship in 2005, 2006 and 2007. He was a US Club National Finalist. Facer was a former player for the Chicago Sockers FC. "Justin is a recruit that we have been interested in for the last two years," said Laughlin. "He is a hard nosed midfielder who is attack minded. He is very competitive and places big demands on himself and his teammates." Ethan Lincoln is a 6-2, 190-pound midfielder/forward from Lakeville, Mass. He served as captain of his Apponequet High School team and played with the Rhode Island Olympic Development Program for two years. Lincoln played club soccer with the Black Watch of Rhode Island. He competed in the SYL National Finals in 2005 and 2006. He was a first team selection at the Super-Y National Finals in 2006. Lincoln attended the Super-Y National Team Camp in 2006 and 2007. In addition, he has trained with the Youth Program of Premiership Club Middlesborough. "Ethan is a talented and physical player who can play either in the midfield or as a forward," said Laughlin. "I have seen Ethan develop as he played for the same club that I used to coach with in Rhode Island. He has all the physical and technical tools to be a successful player at Maine."
Yates Murphy is a 6-3, 185-pound back from Belfast, Maine. He is a two-year captain at Belfast Area High School where he also earned most valuable player honors. He played his club soccer with Black Bear United where he served as captain of that team from 2004-2008. He was also named most valuable player of the basketball team at Belfast. "Yates is a local player who has competed for several years with the Black Bear United Club," said Laughlin. "I was impressed with him as both a person and an athlete during our residential camp this summer. We are looking at him as a player who can continue to develop in our program." Sal Sapienza is a 5-8, 150-pound midfielder/back from Albany, N.Y. He served as captain of his Albany High School team and has been named a first team Big Ten All-Star. He was also a NY Section Two class AA All-Star and participated in the CDYSL Senior All-Star game. He played his club soccer with the Black Watch Premier, and trained with the Youth Program of Premiership Club Middlesborough. "Sal is a quick athletic player that can play outside midfield or outside back," said Laughlin. "He has competed with the Black Watch Premier club at a very high level. Sal has a great work ethic and will be very competitive from the first day of training." Curtis Scobie is a 5-8, 145-pound back from Orangeville, Ontario. He played his club soccer with Bryst Academy. He was selected to the Soccer Academy Alliance of Canada All-Star team in 2006 and 2007. He traveled to Brazil and trained with Cruzerio. He was selected Male Athlete of the Year at Westside Secondary School. "Curtis is a smooth and athletic defender," said Laughlin. "He is naturally left sided and will help balance our team. Curtis is an intelligent player who we feel will compete for the left back spot." Ross Seagram is a 5-10, 160-pound forward from Dexter, Mich. He was a 2007 Michigan Dream Team selection. He was a first team All-State selection in 2006 and 2007. Seagram was the Ann Arbor News Player of the Year. He was a first team All-Region, All-District, and All-Conference selection. Seagram was captain and most valuable player of his Dexter High School team. He played Club Soccer with the MI Wolves and was also part of the Michigan ODP '90 State team. "Ross is an outstanding forward who has had a great deal of success at the High School and Club level," said Laughlin. He led his High School to it's first ever state soccer title and plays club soccer for the MI Wolves U-17 team that is the current Michigan state champion and USYSA Region II Champions. The U-17 Wolves team is coached by Brian Doyle." Daniel Tannous is a 5-11, 170-pound back from Thornhill, Ontario. He was captain of Canada's U-17 team in World Cup Qualification where he scored the game-winning goal against host country Jamaica. Tannous was a finalist for the Canadian Youth Player of the Year in 2007. He has represented Canada's National Team at the U-15, U-16, and U-17 level, and currently trains with the Ontario NTC at the U-20 level. Tannous played his Club soccer with Glen Shields. "Daniel is an impact recruit for the University of Maine," said Laughlin. His international experience should ease his transition to the NCAA Division I game. He has captained his country at the highest youth level and we expect him to contribute immediately." Chris Wilkins is a 6-0, 185-pound forward from Colrain, Mass. He served as captain for both the soccer and skiing teams at Mowhawk Trail High School. He was an All-Western Mass. soccer selection in both 2006 and 2007 and was the leading High School scorer in 2007. Wilkins plays Club soccer with Western Mass. United. He also earned All-Western Mass. honors in skiing in 2007. "CJ came to our summer residential camp and really impressed," said Laughlin. "He is a tireless worker who is dangerous in the box with both feet. I feel that CJ is going to excel at Maine both on the field and in the classroom." Mike Moloney is a 6-1, 165-pound back from Phoenix, Ariz. He is a transfer from Phoenix College where he started 20 games as a freshman. His team was NJCAA Region 1 quarterfinalists. Moloney played Club soccer with Sereno 89 White who where Arizona State champions and USYSA Region IV semifinalists in 2007. He has also served as captain for Santos FC. "Mike is a technically solid and athletic defender," said Laughlin. "He is a transfer from Phoenix College where he gained a good deal of collegiate experience. Mike also plays for one of the top youth teams out west in Sereno 89 White. I expect Mike to challenge for playing time immediately." Stuart Rodgers is a 6-2, 180-pound back from Retford, England. He is a transfer from the University of Texas-Brownsville where he helped lead them to the Red River Conference Tournament and the regular season championships in 2007. He competed for the Lincoln City FC Centre of Excellence for five years. He represented Lincolshire Schools FA at the U-18 level for two years. "Stuart is a top level back," said Laughlin. "He is good in the air, organizes well, and tough in the tackle. Stuart is a transfer from the University of Texas-Brownsville where he played one year in a very good NAIA program." All National Letter of Intent signings and commitments are contingent upon admission to the University of Maine and compliance with all NCAA rules and regulations, including registration with the NCAA Clearinghouse. -U-M- |
