Briarcliffe College Men’s Soccer Team To 2009 USCAA National Championships

PRLog (Press Release) - Nov 02, 2009 -
The Seahawks, Briarcliffe College Men’s Soccer Team, continues last year’s winning streak with an invitation to repeat history this year.  Based on “an excellent season in men’s soccer,” the United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA) has invited the 2009 Men’s Soccer Team to participate in the National Soccer Championships this November 6 – 8th in Burlington, Vermont.  The USCAA is a national organization that provides quality athletic competition on a regional and national level for students at smaller institutions of higher learning.

According to Briarcliffe College Men’s Soccer Head Coach Rafael Morais, the 2009 team continues to build on the strengths and lessons of the winning 2008 season.  “We’ve brought in twelve strong players who worked exceedingly hard during pre-season with great results.  I expect the Seahawks to make another run to the finals.”

The team — anchored by junior Forward David Panchano and sophomore Midfielders Ronny Goncalves and Nicholas Serolini — has a record of 9-1-1 and is seeded #1 in the USCAA national tournament.

“Briarcliffe has been pleased to introduce new players with a real presence on the field and to welcome back three experienced defense players from our 2008 team,” stated Briarcliffe College Athletics Director Gina D’Amaro. “The campus is alive with excitement at this return to the nationals.”

Aiming for a 2009 trophy is team leader David Panchano, who currently leads the USCAA with 10 goals, midfield players Goncalves and Serolini, returning defense players Joel Coker, Ramon Martin, and Juan Zuluaga, and teammates Shomari Diaz, Jacob Garcia, Raul Rivera, Nicholas Paulo, Jabneel Springer, Felipe Amado, Jorge Larios, Erik Lopez, Mannino Rosario, Bryan Panora, Robert Cox, Aegeus Ruddck, Johnathan Zapata, Sillah Sankung, Michael Holder and Mike Knowles.

It was during only its second season in 2008 that the Briarcliffe Men’s Soccer Team, captained by Alan Acevedo, Jorge Sanchez, Charles Okeke, and Sebastian Gonzalez, led the team to a 6-5-1 record.   Alan Acevedo also earned the USCAA Player of the week and 2008 Men’s Soccer All-American Award.

For information on Briarcliffe College, visit www.bcl.edu

Photo:
http://www.prlog.org/10397536/1