Islanders News
Published on April 16, 2008 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Penn FC News Release
A soccer team is only as good as their goalkeeper. Luckily for the City Islanders they've had the guidance of Assistant Coach and Goalkeeping trainer, Steve Widdowson, to train and refine not only their field players but goalkeepers.
A goalkeeper himself, originally from Swinton, England, Widdowson played goalkeeper for the Barnsley Football Club beginning at the age of fifteen. With a Father that played professional soccer for Sheffield United, York and Portsmouth, soccer was in his blood.
In 1994, Widdowson arrived in the states to play for Rutgers University. In goal at Rutgers, he led the team to the Atlantic 10 and Big East Conference Championship. Rutgers made it to the illustrious NCAA Final Four his freshman year. He was also recognized on the Regional All-American team, and served as team captain. Widdowson still holds the University record for most starts in a single season, and remains third in career saves.
Upon graduating from Rutgers in 1997, Widdowson went on to play in goal professionally in the USL for Central Jersey Riptides, New Jersey Stallions and the Reading Rage. He is currently the Head Men's soccer Coach at Millersville University.
In his fifth season as the Islanders Assistant, Coach and Goalkeeper trainer Widdowson continues to be an asset to the team. His contributions on and off the field have helped developed the City Islanders into Champions in four short seasons. In goal, he has helped in molding the Islanders goalkeepers, Dave Kern and Sam Bishop. Last year he contributed to Islanders Matt Nelson's achievement of the best season in Islanders team history. We're sure that the 2008 season will be no different. This season Widdowson will work with goalkeepers Danny Cepero and Brian Pope.
The City Islanders skippers Bill Becher and Steve Widdowson anticipate the challenge as teams will be gunning to knock down the reigning Champions. But first, the coaching staff will need their ritual game day slice of pizza at home and Cold Stone Creamery ice cream on the road.
Preseason Highlights
The City Islanders defeated Penn State University on Saturday to run their preseason Heinsrecord to 4-1. The Islanders had a majority of their signed players available; only three trialists were used in the game. The Islanders took control early by keeping possession and attacking from both sides of the field. They were rewarded in the 30th minute when some good passing sent Adam Clay in behind on the right side. Clay slid the ball across the box to a wide open Almir Barbosa, who calmly pushed the ball past the Nittany Lion keeper. BarbosaThe score remained that way through halftime and the Islanders made three changes for the second half. The new players fit right in and the Islanders continued to attack. It was obvious that Penn State was starting to tire, and the Islanders were taking full advantage. Ryan Heins (Philadelphia Kixx MISL) headed in a corner kick in the 60th minute, to increase the lead to 2-0. Heins continued to cause trouble for the young Lions as he got behind the defense and sent a shot in off the near post. In the 75th minute, Heins was in again, this time he sent a ball across to Barbosa, who scored his second goal of the match. The game ended 3-0, and the Islanders looked much better than the week before. "We took better care of the ball today, and created several good scoring chances," said Head Coach Bill Becher. "This was our best performance so far, and we hope to play even better on Friday against Rochester."
USL Premier Pro-Friendly
Rochester
The Northern Tier Athletic Foundation will host a Premier Pro Friendly between the USL First Division semifinalist Rochester Raging Rhinos and the USL Second Division defending Champions, the Harrisburg City Islanders. The friendly will be played on Friday, April 18, at Athens Area Stadium in Athens, PA, kicking off at 7:15pm.
"This game is another opportunity to challenge our players to step up to a high level of soccer one week prior to our season opener. Last year's success against the Vancouver Whitecaps and DC United during our season gave us much of the confidence we needed to win the USL-2 Championship. The Northern Tier Athletic Foundation has made this possible. We look forward to the challenge against Rochester on Friday," said City Islanders Assistant General Manager Kierstin Rowe.
Tickets are $15 for box seating and $5 for general admission. Tickets can be purchased from the NTAF at Athens Area Stadium on game day. For more information and directions visit: http://www.athenscollegiateshowdown.com
United Soccer League Championship Stories from April 16, 2008
- MLS Veteran Floyd Franks to Join City Stars Roster - Cleveland City Stars
- Kickers Open Regular Season Saturday at UR Stadium - Richmond Kickers
- Islanders News - Penn FC
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