University of Richmond Athletics
Men's Soccer Announces Signees
June 15, 2004
UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND, Va. - University of Richmond men's head soccer coach Jeff Gettler has announced that 11 new players will be joining the Spiders for the 2004 season.
Midfielder/forward Ben Harner, from Edwardville High School in Edwardville, Ill., was an All-Southwestern Conference honoree, a Region Four All-Sectional pick and All-State selection in 2003, while earning the Alton Telegraph Large School Player of the Year honor. A two year member of the Illinois State Olympic Development Program (ODP), he also was a member of the Super Y League Region Two ODP.
Phil Hartman, a midfielder/back from Hidden Valley High School in Roanoke, Va., was an All-District, All-Timesland and All-Region selection last year. A member of the Roanoke Star Soccer Club, he was a three year captain of the Virginia State ODP team.
Back Trey Thornton is one of two products of Mills Godwin High School (Richmond, Va.) that will be joining the Spiders this fall. He was selected All-District and All-Region during Godwin's run to the 2003 state championship while his club team, the Richmond Strikers, were Virginia club champions in both 2001 and 2003.
Goalkeeper Eric Sciocchetti from Strath Haven High School in Wallingford, Pa. was named to the All-Central League, All-Delaware County and All-Southeastern Pennsylvania teams. Serving as captain, he led the Strath Haven squad to the playoffs with a 0.67 goals against average in 18 games. Sciocchetti was also a member of the Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer Association U-19 ODP and FC United Soccer Club.
A forward from the Durham School of the Arts in Durham, N.C., Chris Kull graduated as the program's all-time leading scorer, after serving as team captain for two years and earning 2003 Conference Player of the Year honors. He was also selected to the 2003 North Carolina State Games.
Sam Pugsley, a back from Louisville, Ky. who went to the Salisbury School in Connecticut, was an All-State selection and a two-time Western New England Private School Association All-Star. While playing club soccer for JYSA United, his team was a two-time semi-finalist for the State Cup in Kentucky.
Midfielder Santos Ramirez played for Mills Godwin High School in Richmond, Va. alongside fellow recruit Trey Thornton. The Godwin squad won the 2003 state championship, while his club team, the Richmond Strikers, claimed the Virginia club championship in 2003.
A midfielder from Northwest Catholic in Bristol, Conn., Kyle Richards was a three-time All-Conference selection and a two-time All-State selection. In addition he earned All-Hartford Courant honors and was named MVP of the 2002 high school state tournament. He also played for the Oakwood Soccer Club.
A native of Aberdeen, Scotland, Callum Thomas was named the Boston Globe New England Player of the Year while playing at Philips Andover in Andover, Mass. He was also a district and regional selection playing for the Scotland Schoolboys.
Midfielder Anders Walleck captained the Glastonbury (Conn.) High School team to the state championship and was selected to play in the Connecticut Senior Bowl. The All-Conference honoree was also a member of the two-time state champion Oakwood Soccer Club.
Gabe Anderson, a goalkeeper from Oviedo, Fla., was an All-Conference selection and helped his club team, FC America Omni, advance to the State Cup semifinals.
The 2004 team begins its season September 3rd against Drake at the Bradley Classic in Peoria, Ill. Their first home game will be September 17th when the Spiders host the UR/Nike Challenge Cup and take on Saint Peter's at First Market Stadium at 8 p.m.