USL Richmond Kickers

Kickers add strength to midfield with new signings

Published on March 12, 2007 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Richmond Kickers News Release


RICHMOND, VA - (Monday, March 12, 2007) - The Richmond Kickers are pleased to announce the first three new signings to the 2007 squad with the addition of USL2 Rookie of the Year (2006) Nowaf Jaman and Trey Alexander from the Cincinnati Kings and Fredericksburg, Virginia native Kevin Edwards who join second-year pro, Steven Wolfe, returning to the midfield.

USL Second Division Rookie of the Year, Jaman joins the Kickers from the Cincinnati Kings where he was the lone player on the squad to see action in every match on the year. With two goals and four assists in 20 games played in 2006, Jaman earned USL2 Team of the Week honors for the week of May 1, 2006 for his goal and assist in a pair of wins. He previously played in the USL Premier Development League, spending the previous two seasons with the Chicago Fire Premier while attending Western Illinois University.

A native of Little Rock, Arkansas, Alexander was signed by the Charleston Battery (USL1) in the spring of 2005 before spending the 2006 season with the Cincinnati Kings (USL2). He made 18 appearances with the Kings for 1,403 minutes and recorded two goals and one assist for five points on the season.

Alexander participated in the Kickers February 2007 combine and is the recipient of the dedicated signing bonus. He began his collegiate career at Meridian Community College as a freshman and Tyler Community College as a sophomore before spending his final two seasons at Western Kentucky University. In two seasons at Western Kentucky (2003-2004), he started 36 matches, compiling 12 goals and eight assists. After netting just one goal in his junior season, Alexander became an offensive force in his senior year, scoring a team-high 11 goals, and leading the team with 23 points on the season. Earning an honorable mention All-Missouri Valley Conference honors and the team's Most Valuable Player award, he finished the season one of the top-25 goal scorers in NCAA Division 1 men's soccer.

"Last season Nowaf and Trey impressed the coaching staff with strong performances against us," comments Richmond Kickers Head Coach Leigh Cowlishaw. "Both players are smooth on the ball and will suit our style of play. Another important factor is that they have valuable USL professional experience and are proven performers in this league."

Also a result of the Kickers 2007 combine, local talent Edwards is a native of Fredericksburg, Virginia where he played for Stafford High School, breaking the single season record for goals with 17 as a freshman and set the career goal record with his 34th goal in his junior year. He attended one year at Virginia Tech where he made 20 appearances, starting 18 with the Hokies, notching two goals for four points on the season. Additionally, Edwards has four years experience on the ODP level, playing with the Virginia State Team from 2000-2003.

"Kevin is certainly one for the future and was a standout at our recent combine," continues Cowlishaw. "He has all the physical attributes required to be a top class professional and we expect him to immediately compete for the left back position."

Richmond local Steven Wolfe will return for his second year in the midfield. Wolfe made four starts in 16 appearances as a rookie with the Kickers' defensive unit last season and tallied his first professional goal with the game-winner in the Kickers 1-0 win over Wilmington on June 30th. Overall, he added power both offensively and defensively, contributing four points for Richmond with one goal and two assists on the season. Wolfe joined the Kickers upon graduating from the University of Richmond and a stint with the Richmond Kickers Future of the USL Premier Development League. A native of Richmond, Virginia, Wolfe was a four-year varsity starter at Benedictine High School and holds Benedictine's all-time points record.

"We are pleased to resign Wolfey," adds Cowlishaw, "and are confident with a year of pro experience under his belt he is ready to battle for a regular starting position."

Check out the Richmond Kickers Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



United Soccer League Championship Stories from March 12, 2007


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central