College of Charleston Soccer Players Participating In The PDL
7/8/2008 4:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Six current College of Charleston men's soccer players are preparing for the 2008 campaign this summer by participating in the USL Premier Development League (PDL).
"Having six players participating with high level PDL teams throughout the summer is a big benefit for our program," said Charleston coach Ralph Lundy, who enters his 21st season as coach of the Cougars and his 33rd in the collegiate coaching ranks overall. "All of these players are representing our program well and this will give each of them tremendous preparation going into the fall season."
The USL Premier Development League is the development ground for elite players. The 2008 campaign features a 67-team format within four conferences, consisting of 16 regular season matches, eight home and eight away. The schedule is augmented by participation in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, and various exhibitions. Players have the ability to compete in the PDL throughout the summer months in a professionalized setting while maintaining their collegiate eligibility. The league is the proving ground for players that aspire to reach the highest-levels of the game, while providing affordable family entertainment within their city.
Here's the list of Charleston players who are participating in the PDL.
Zach Prince (Colorado Rapids U23s) - Played in 9 matches for a total of 534 minutes, scored 4 goals and provided 3 assists
Casey Gold (Thunder Bay Chill) - Played in 5 matches for a total of 191 minutes, scored 1 goal
Gus Teren (Nashville Metros) - Played in 7 matches for a total of 403 minutes
John Bello (Bradenton Academics) - Played in 9 matches for a total of 500 minutes
Wes Knight (Bradenton Academics) - Played in 9 matches for a total of 500 minutes
David Munson (Bradenton Academics) - Played in 3 matches
The Cougars, who finished 13-5-1 last fall with a 6-1-0 Southern Conference record, kick off the season Aug. 29, and play their first four matches on the road. The adidas Soccer Classic at Davidson College (N.C.) is Aug. 29 and 31, and the Cougars are scheduled to face Marshall and Charlotte. The following weekend, Sept. 5 and 6, CofC heads to Greenville, S.C., to play Washington and Bowling Green State in the Furman University Diadora/Spinx Invitational.
Charleston will host the annual NIKE/Aaron Olitsky Memorial Soccer Classic at Blackbaud Stadium on Daniel Island, S.C., Sept. 12 and 14. Southern Conference opponent Furman, national finalist Ohio State and 16th-ranked Brown are scheduled for the weekend. CofC will play the Buckeyes Sept. 12, and the Bears Sept. 14.
The 2008 Cougar squad welcomes six new team members, including two freshmen from the Charleston area. Midfielder Justin Fojo will return with international experience as he was invited to play with his native Trinidad and Tobago national team. Fojo was named to the third team as a College Soccer News Freshman All-American and by the National Coaches Association of America (NSCAA)/adidas All-Region second team in December. Other standout returnees include forward Kareem Yearwood, who led the SoCon in points and points-per-game and midfielder Wes Knight. Yearwood was named to the NSCAA/adidas All-Region and the SoCon All-Conference first teams, while Knight received second team All-Conference honors.
