Green Announces Incoming Class For 2009
Central Connecticut men's soccer head coach Shaun Green announced his recruiting class for the upcoming 2009 season #$%^on Monday. In his 25th season at the helm of the Blue Devils, Green welcomes 14 newcomers to camp this August. #$%^Highlighted by Xavier Forsberg, Taylor Morgan, Jesse Menzies, Joel Diamand, Anthony Occhialini, Nick Wills and Joe Laryea, #$%^this group of student-athletes will attempt to bring CCSU men's soccer back to the Northeast Conference Tournament for the #$%^first time since the team's NEC Championship in 2007.
Forsberg is a 6'3" central defender that will bring a lot of
talent and experience to the Blue Devil squad. The Green Point,
Australia native has represented teams at both the regional and
national levels. In 2006 Forsberg was selected for, toured with,
and named captain of the Australian Schoolboy team. Most recently,
he played with Sydney Olympic FC, which is one of the top amateur
teams in New South Wales, Australia. "Xavier is a powerful and
talented defender who I expect to make an immediate impact on our
program," said Green. "I believe he can bring maturity and
leadership to the defense this season."
Morgan comes to New Britain via Southampton, England. The 6'5"
goal scorer has been playing striker for the England National
Schoolboy team and scored the winning goal versus Scotland in front
of a crowd of over 20,000 at Wembley Stadium. "We are thrilled
that Taylor has chosen CCSU as his home for the next four years,"
Green said. "He has great pace and good skill for a big target
player."
Menzies is a Connecticut product, hailing from Prospect, CT. The
5'10" dynamo captained Woodland Regional High during his junior and
senior campaigns. During his career there, Menzies accumulated 49
goals and 33 assists. In 2008 he was named All-Naugatuck Valley
League and received All-State and All-New England honors. The
midfielder was named MVP at this year's Connecticut Senior Bowl.
"Jesse is extremely composed on the ball and has great vision for a
midfield player," said Green. "He's coming to CCSU to make an
immediate impact on this team and I expect him to do so."
Diamand started four years at King Philip Regional in Wrentham, MA
and was named the Massachusetts Senior Bowl MVP this season. The
striker also played with the Cape Cod Crusaders and received
all-tournament team honors at the Super Y Nationals. "Joel
impressed the coaching staff from the first day we saw him play,"
Green said. "He is very skillful and powerful on the ball and Joel
will make an immediate impact on the forward position this
fall."
Occhialini played goalkeeper at Montville high, where he was a
three-time Eastern Connecticut All-Conference honoree. In 2008 the
goalie received both All-New England and NSCAA High School
All-American accolades. "Anthony is a great shot stopper and will
benefit greatly from full-time goalkeeper coaching from CCSU
assistant coach Christian Benjamin," said
Green.
Wills comes to CCSU via Fort Worth, TX where he played midfield and
forward for Nolan Catholic High. In his senior season Wills was
selected first team all-district and second team all-state, while
Nolan Catholic was named district champions.
Laryea has transferred over from Dutchess Community College where
has proven to be a tremendous defensive force. During his two
seasons at DCC Laryea received all-conference and all-region
honors, while captaining the squad in Poughkeepsie, NY.
Daniel Galvin, a midfielder from Attleboro, MA, Andrew Hodge, of
Rocky Hill, CT, Griffin Fehrs, a captain at Wolcott High in
Connecticut, Michael Martinez, a midfielder from Greenwich, CT, and
Ben Walsh, a four-year player at Manchester High, will also join
the Blue Devils in camp this August.
CCSU will open up the season at the Nike New Hampshire Classic.
The Blue Devils will take on Vermont on Friday September 4th before
playing the host Wildcats on Saturday September 5th.
