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Silverbacks take two in USL First Division draft

January 22, 2005 - USL First Division (USL-1)
Atlanta Silverbacks News Release


The Atlanta Silverbacks selected two players from the United Soccer LeagueÂ’s First Division Draft: forward Steven Rhyne (Alpharetta, Ga.) and defender Ron Plute (Coppell, Texas). USL First Division teams selected twenty-four amateur players on Tuesday, Jan. 18.

Rhyne was selected seventh overall in the first round. A product of the United Quest Soccer Club in Marietta, Ga., he went on to play college soccer at Clemson University. In 2004, he was a senior on a Tiger squad that finished with a overall record of 8-9-1 and 2-5 in the Atlantic Coast Conference, one of the toughest menÂ’s soccer conferences in the country. He played in all 18 games, recording 11 goals and five assists for 27 points to lead his team in all three scoring categories and earned ACC Second Team honors. Rhyne also has experience in the USL as he competed with the PDLÂ’s Austin Lightning in 2003 and the Carolina Dynamo in 2004. He helped the Dynamo to a first place finish in the Mid Atlantic Conference, scoring five goals and notching two assists in 14 games.

“Steven is a local guy,” pointed out Silverbacks Head Coach David Vaudreuil. “He scored a goal against us in the third round of the US Open Cup and impressed us with his dynamic play.”

Atlanta also selected Plute in the second round, 19th overall. He played college soccer for Western Kentucky, helping his team to three Missouri Valley Conference tournament appearances. His senior season, he was named to the All-MVC team and earned All-Midwest Region Honors. During his career, he played in 75 matches to tie for the ninth highest total in school history. He also tallied six goals and seven assists in his four years at Western Kentucky. Plute spent the 2004 season as a student assistant coach with the Hilltoppers. He played for the PDLÂ’s DFW Tornadoes in 2004 as the team finished in second place in the Mid South Division with a 14-4 record. Plute saw playing time in 17 games with the Tornadoes, picking up four assists.

“Ron came to the November pro-combine where he really stood out as a central defender,” said Vaudreuil. “At every combine we’re getting players of better talent and ability. Ron has been one of the best prospects this year at tryouts.”

The Silverbacks Men’s team will kickoff their 2005 season with a road match against the Richmond Kickers on Saturday, April 16. The ‘Backs first home match is scheduled for Saturday, April 30 at 6:30 p.m. at DeKalb Memorial Stadium against the Charleston Battery.

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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.

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