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NASL FC Edmonton

Eddies 'Keeper Ingham Returns to Florida

April 14, 2016 - North American Soccer League (NASL)
FC Edmonton News Release


FC Edmonton Goalkeeper Nathan Ingham
FC Edmonton Goalkeeper Nathan Ingham
(FC Edmonton)

FC Edmonton's Nathan Ingham will be in familiar territory when his team makes their inaugural Florida road trip of 2016 to face the Tampa Bay Rowdies, April 16 at Al Lang Stadium. The 22-year-old goalkeeper played his entire varsity career in the Sunshine State, competing with NCAA Division 1's Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) Eagles before signing his first professional contract with the Eddies.

Ingham has stepped in to play a much larger role with his new team then initially projected, following consecutive injuries to Eddies back-up 'keeper Tyson Farago. Ingham showed well throughout the Eddies four-match preseason trip, coming in as relief for starter Matt VanOekel during the second half of every match.

"From day one until now I think that he has improved immensely," FC Edmonton head coach Colin Miller said. "He's now getting used to the sort of style and tempo of the game and with Tyson being injured it has actually helped progress Nathan that little bit quicker. He's really taken his opportunity to heart and he's really worked at it and shown a terrific attitude...His first initial few months have been terrific...we have our fingers crossed that he continues his development."

While unexpected, Ingham has embraced his opportunities in net. The Keswick, Ont. native did not concede a goal during his time between the woodwork in preseason play.

"I didn't know what to expect coming in," Ingham explained. "I didn't know the level that it was going to be, but my goal from the beginning has been to come in and get playing time and to be in the role that I am in now. It's maybe not been what I expected, but it is what I was hoping and shooting for."

FGCU men's soccer head coach Bob Butehorn praised Ingham, who finished his Florida-based NCAA career as the Eagles all-time goals-against leader with a 0.98 GAA.

"Nathan came in and was an understudy to a pretty good goalkeeper his first year," Butehorn recalled. "That 'keeper went down, Nathan jumped in and never looked back. He won a conference championship in his first year, stepping in late in the season and really each year developed little parts of his game that hopefully would lead to a promising future, and that turned out to be correct."

Ingham and the Eddies return to NASL action, April 16 against the Tampa Bay Rowdies at Al Lang Stadium. Kick off in the match is set for 5:30 p.m. (MT). The match will be streamed live on www.nasl.com for viewers in Canada and broadcast on ESPN3 in the United States.

The Eddies return to Clarke Field, April 24 to face Canadian rival and 2015 NASL runner-up Ottawa Fury FC at 2:00 p.m. (MT). Tickets and more information are available by clicking HERE or by visiting www.fcedmonton.com.

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FC Edmonton Goalkeeper Nathan Ingham
FC Edmonton Goalkeeper Nathan Ingham
   



North American Soccer League Stories from April 14, 2016


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