Godfrey Tenoff Returns To Cleveland As New Captain
Published on March 6, 2009 under USL First Division (USL-1)
Cleveland City Stars News Release
The Cleveland City Stars have re-signed Midfielder Godfrey Tenoff. The native of Pietermaritzburg, South Africa returns for his second season in Cleveland and will take over the role of captain from the departed Mark Schulte.
"Godfrey stepped in right away and made a big impact for us last season," said Cleveland City Stars Executive Director Aaron Tredway. "He helped out in multiple roles, playing at right back and in the midfield, and he was an instant leader that commanded respect from his teammates. Godfrey brings tremendous skill and integrity to our club and he will excel as our new captain."
Tenoff is no stranger to leading a USL-1 side as he captained the 2007 Minnesota Thunder before moving to Cleveland and helping the City Stars to last season's USL-2 championship.
In his first season in Cleveland, Tenoff totaled 1,131 minutes in 15 matches and recorded an assist. The natural midfielder played the first half of the season out of position at right back and made a smooth transition while contributing to a defense that allowed the league's second-lowest goal total. Tenoff showed off his versatility and unselfishness with the arrival of Musa Otieno as the acquisition moved Tenoff back to his familiar role in the midfield. In the second game after the move, Tenoff recorded an assist in the Stars 5-1 victory over the Bermuda Hogges on July 26th. Tenoff was a stalwart in the lineup down the stretch, playing all of a possible 300 minutes in the Stars playoff run.
"I'm happy to return to Cleveland for another season," said Tenoff. "Our goal is to qualify for the USL-1 playoffs, and in doing that, preserve the tradition of winning for our club and to make sure Cleveland is a power in the USL-1 that is respected for how we play the game. The fans gave us wonderful support last season. That played a big part in my return and I can't wait to represent the fans of Cleveland again this season."
Prior to joining the Stars, Tenoff was a standout at the University of Dayton where he registered 15 goals and 13 assists in 70 career matches for the Flyers while twice being named all-Atlantic 10 conference. After graduation, Tenoff played professionally for Maritzburg United of the Premier Soccer League in South Africa and for the Indiana Blast and Minnesota Thunder of the USL-1. Tenoff has twice been named team MVP, in 2004 with Indiana and in 2005 in his first season with Minnesota.
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