Bixler Movin' On Up
Published on March 23, 2007 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Penn FC News Release
(Harrisburg, PA, March 23, 2007) - The Vancouver Whitecaps of the USL First Division (USL-1) announced today that they have signed former City Islanders defender Dustin Bixler. Bixler will join former Hershey Wildcat player Steve Klein and skipper Bob Lilley in defending Vancouver's Championship title.
Bixler, 24, joins the Whitecaps after playing for the Harrisburg City Islanders of the USL Second Division (USL-2) the last two seasons. The 6'3", 190-pound native of Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania has led his team in minutes played each year. Prior to Harrisburg, Bixler was a four year starter at Lock Haven University, playing 71 games and earning All-Conference honors in 2002, 2003 and 2004. He was also named to the Division II All-Northeast Region First Team in 2003 and 2004 and was voted the team's Most Valuable Player and Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Athlete of the Year in 2004.
Lilley stated, "Dustin has had two very good years at Harrisburg and a great college career at Lock Haven University. He is a physical presence that reads the game well and is quite competent with his feet."
Bixler joins a growing list of City Islanders players who have moved on to play at higher level. Islanders Head Coach Bill Becher stated, "We'll obviously miss Dustin's presence on this team but he has earned this opportunity and we know that he will have an impact in the First Division." He added, "Hopefully, we will continue to develop players through our system that will have similar opportunities."
Former Islanders who have moved on to play at a higher level:
Art Bartholemew Miami FC (USL-1)
Mike Behonick Red Bull New York (MLS)
Teafore Bennett Oster IF (Sweden)
Dustin Bixler Vancouver Whitecaps (USL-1)
Shane Crawford Charleston Battery (USL-1)
Chad Severs Rochester Rhinos (USL-1)
United Soccer League Championship Stories from March 23, 2007
- Bixler Movin' On Up - Penn FC
- RailHawks replace Mariners on April 7th - Richmond Kickers
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