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Men's Soccer Announces 2006 Recruiting Class
March 19, 2006 Orono, Maine - University of Maine head men's soccer coach Travers Evans has announced commitments from eight high school standouts and the addition of three college transfers to the Black Bear program. Players from the prep ranks that are set to attend Maine and play soccer in the fall of 2006 include: Cameron Alksnis (Toronto, Ont / Toronto Azzuri), Jordan Antonucci (Gloversville, NY / Gloversville), Kenny Caceros (Ottawa, Ont / Ottawa Fury), Andre Cushing (Hampden, ME / Blackbear United FC), Marc Goulet (Plainville, CT / Oakwood), Dereck Loisel (Warwick, RI / Blackwatch RI), Sean-Michael Meehan (Portland, ME / Odyssey Sport), and Philip Reed (Gorham, ME / Odyssey Sport) Maine will also welcome three transfers to the program for the fall 2006 season: Peter Alexander (Hampden, ME / Dean College), Adrian Leroy (Ottawa, Ont / Ottawa Fury / Carleton University) and Kiaran McCormack (Dundalk, Ireland / University of Vermont). "We are very excited to add this group of young men to our team. They will be very competitive both on the field and in the classroom. I believe the future of this program is very bright. I would like to thank our Athletic Director, Blake James, for his support and my assistant coach MJ Ball for his hard work in this process. In addition many of these young men were referred to our program from our alumni, and their support is always appreciated." said Evans. Below is a brief bio on each player: Peter Alexander 6'0 MF Hampden, ME / Dean College Played last fall for Dean College and former Blackbear Pat Laughlin. Team was ranked in the top #15 nationally in the NJCAA. He scored 4 goals and had three assists for Dean in the fall of 2005. In 2004 he led Hampden Academy to the state final where they lost 3-2 to Greeley. Played club soccer for the Blackbear United Football Club, and advanced to the Region 1 championships in 2003. Coach Evans on Alexander: Peter is a technically solid player who loves the game. He is a soccer junkie. He had a very good year at Dean playing some of the best competition in the country. I believe he has a tremendous upside and we are glad that he has joined our program. Cameron Alksnis 6'2 Back Toronto, ONT / Toronto Azzuri Played for Metropolitan Preparatory Academy for four seasons, serving as team captain of each year. Played club soccer for both Mississauga Falcons and Hearts Azzuri Club teams. His 2005 Hearts Azzuri team won both Ontario Indoor Cup, and the Ontario Youth Soccer League Championship. Coach Evans on Alksnis: Cameron will be a very solid defender at the Division1 level. He is technically solid, competes well, and has had some very good preparation playing against a high level of competition. Jordan Antonucci 6'2 FWD Gloversville, NY / Gloversville Finished his career at Gloversville high with 79 goals and 123 assists. He was a three time all Foothills Council and Section 2 performer, as well as a member of the All State team in 2005. Additionally he was selected as the Foothills Council and Section 2 player of the year in 2005. Played club soccer for the Empire Alleycats and Clifton Park Premier programs. He was also a member of the Eastern New York North ODP program from 1998-2004. His 2003 & 2004 team were Region1 finalists. He will graduate with high honors from Gloversville High in 2006, and will participate in the Honors Program at Maine. Coach Evans on Antonucci: Jordan is a tremendous athlete who can play either in the midfield or up front. He has been successful at highest levels as a goal scorer and set up player, and we expect him to continue that at Maine. Kenny Caceros 6'2 MF Ottawa, ONT / Ottawa Fury Caceros played form the Ottawa Fury team that won the Northern region of the Super Y League with an undefeated record, and advanced to the national finals in 2005. His team also advanced to the National Finals in 2003 and 2004. He was selected to attend the Super Y National camp as one of the best players in his age group from his region. While he was at the camp he was selected to the Super Y National Team for the U17 age group, one of 18 players to be selected. Coach Evans on Caceros: Kenny is a tremendously talented attacking player. His combination of technique, vision, and athleticism makes him a special player. His resume and experience are top class, and we expect big things from him. Andre Cushing 5'9 MF Hampden, ME / Blackbear United Cushing played for the Hampden Academy team that won the Eastern Maine title and advanced to the state championship in 2004. In 2005 he led the team to the Eastern Maine final where the lost 4-3 to undefeated Mt. Ararat. He was a 1st team PVC & KVAC All-Star as well as a member of the Eastern Maine Class A and All State teams. He finished his career at Hampden Academy with 14 goals and a school record 62 assists. He plays club soccer for the Blackbear United Football Club, and was a member of the Maine 88 ODP team. Is a High Honor roll and National Honor Society member at Hampden Academy. Coach Evans: Andre has tremendous potential at this level. He has a solid technical base, and is an explosive athlete. I am very excited to have him, and to watch him progress. Marc Goulet 5'8 MF Plainville, CT / Oakwood Played for former Blackbear Greg Bajek at Plainville High School. He was selected captain and team MVP in both 04 and 05. He was an All Conference selection in 04 and 05 and an All State selection in 05. He was a member of the New Britain Herald and Hartford Courant team this year. He finished his high school career with 20 goals and 25 assists. He was a five year member of the Connecticut ODP program, and a Region 1 runner up with them in 2003. Plays club soccer for the Oakwood Soccer Club. His team was 5 time state cup champions, and a Region 1 silver medalist in 03. Is a High Honor and National Honor society member. Coach Evans on Goulet: Marc is technically very sound and athletically good. He is an absolute competitor, a winner who can play multiple spots. He has competed at the highest levels in the region with distinction, and we are delighted he has chosen Maine. Dereck Loisel 6'0 GK Warwick, RI / Blackwatch RI Played his high school soccer at Warwick vets. Three year starter who ended his career with virtually every goalkeeping record. He was a two time All Division and All City member as well as an All New England nominee in 2005. Ended his high school career with a record of 26-5-11. Plays his club soccer for former Blackbear Pat Laughlin on the Blackwatch RI U17 team. His team won the 2005 Northeast Regional League, and was promoted to the Region 1 Directors League. They also advanced to the Super Y League National Finals and were semi-finalists at the Tampa Sun Bowl and the Potomac Tournament. Coach Evans on Loisel: Dereck is an explosive athlete with a tremendous set of hands. He has played at a very high level, and we expect him to come in and compete with our returning keepers for the top spot. Adrian Leroy 6'2 Back Ottawa, Ont/Ottawa Fury/Carleton University Played the 2005 season at Carleton University and led them to an Ontario University Championship, and a spot in the National Tournament. Played club soccer for the Ottawa Fury team that earned division championships in 2003 and 2004 and advanced to the Super Y League National finals. He had a trial with the Canadian National Team in 2004, and was a member of the Canadian National Training Center in 2002 and 2003. Coach Evans on Leroy: Adrian is a naturally left sided defender with tremendous athleticism. He will be one of the most athletic players at that spot in our league right away. He is also very good technically, and has had some tremendous experience with the Fury and the Canadian National Programs. Sean-Michael Meehan 5'10 Back Portland, ME / Odyssey Sport He was a four year varsity starter at Deering HS. Two year all SMAA first team, earned All Western Maine and All State honors in 05. He was a member of 5 state club champions that advanced to the Region 1 championships, three with Maine Metro FC, and two with Odyssey Sport. Played for the 88 Maine ODP team for six years, and was selected to the ODP Regional team in 2003, and the Super Y Regional Team in 2005. Coach Evans on Meehan: Shawn in an absolute competitor. Athletically and technically he is good, and he has an intense desire to win. I think he can play a number of spots, and will be competitive for playing time right away. Kiaran McCormack 6'2 Back Dundalk, Ireland / UVM Played to years for the University of Vermont as a back. Starting 17 contests. Before UVM he played as a youth with Dundalk FC. He was a member of the Irish National Schoolboy Teams in both soccer and track. Represented Ireland in prestigious international competitions such as the Milk Cup. He was a two year member of the America East Commissioners Honor Roll while at Vermont. Coach Evans on McCormack: Kiaran is another very athletic defender that we are happy has chosen the University of Maine. He has played two years in our conference and knows what it takes to be successful at this level. We look for him to compete right away for a position in our back four. Philip Reed 5'9 Mid Gorham, ME / Odyssey Sport Played for Gorham high school where he was a four year varsity letter winner. He was an All Conference selection as both a junior and a senior, and an All State selection this fall. He finished his high school career with 28 goals and 18 assists. Played club soccer for both Maine Metro FC and Odyssey Sport. He won state cup championships in 2001, 2002, and 2003 and advanced to the region 1 championships. Coach Evans on Reed: Phil is a technically sound, and very athletic player. He has a strong work rate, and understands the game well. I believe he has a tremendous upside and may be the sleeper of this year's class. The eligibility of all student-athletes is contingent upon admission to the University of Maine and compliance with all NCAA rules, including registration with the NCAA Clearinghouse.
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