Three More Re-Sign With City Islanders
Published on November 23, 2005 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Penn FC News Release
(Harrisburg, Pa., November 23, 2005) - The Harrisburg City Islanders announced on Wednesday the signings of three players: midfielders Adam Clay, John Lapore, and Ryan O'Neill.
With the three signings, the City Islanders already have under contract seven players from the 2005 squad that finished 12-3-5 and posted a 15-game regular season unbeaten streak. Last week, the club announced the signings of goalkeeper Dave Kern, defender Dustin Bixler, and midfielder Mo Oduor, as well as a contract extension through 2010 for team captain Derek Potteiger.
Clay, 22, proved a valuable contributor as a rookie in 2005. The 6-1, 175-pounder appeared in 17 games (eight starts), earning increasing responsibility as the season went on. The aggressive, versatile Bloomsburg product played primarily in the midfield but also logged time in the back.
Clay has also been named the Tournament Director for the City Islanders Academy, which offers instructional programs for area youth and fields teams in the USL Super Y-League. In his new role, Clay will organize and administer Academy-hosted tournaments across Central Pennsylvania. He will work closely with Potteiger, who was named Academy Director of Youth Development this past July.
Lapore played 712 minutes over 12 games (seven starts) in 2005, his second season with Harrisburg. The 23-year-old, a star at both Cedar Cliff High School and Kutztown University, played 17 games as a rookie for the City Islanders in 2004.
The midseason addition of O'Neill in 2005 proved invaluable as the City Islanders surged towards the playoffs. A native of Lima, Pa., and graduate of South Carolina University, O'Neill appeared in Harrisburg's final nine regular season games (recording a goal and two assists) and both playoff matches, playing well at both right back and in the midfield. The 27-year-old had previously spent three years with FC Grun Weiss Wolfen in Germany.
ACADEMY SUPER Y TRYOUTS: SUNDAY, JANUARY 8
On Sunday, January 8, the City Islanders Academy will hold Super-Y League tryouts at the "In The Net" Sports Complex in Palmyra, the club's official training facility.
For 2006, the City Islanders Academy expects to field teams in the following age groups: U13 to U19 for both male and female players. In addition, the Academy will create Super Y Developmental Teams in the U10 to U12 male and female divisions.. Trialists will be required to pay a $20 fee which will include a ticket to the City Islanders 2006 Home Opener. Tryout Applications and information is available at www.cityislanders.com or by calling (717) 441-GOAL.
Successful trialists will compete for a burgeoning youth program that posted an overall record of 51-23-10 and was ranked seventh in the nation by United Soccer Leagues in 2004, the Academy's first year of competition. Most notably, the Academy's U14 Boys, coached by Bill Becher, recently competed in the 2005 SYL North American Finals in Tampa, Florida. The team posted a 2-1 record in bracket play but was eliminated on tiebreakers. The team then went on to win their consolation match against the Atlanta Silverbacks Jrs (2-1). The squad's only loss of the tournament came in their first match to the MetroStars (2-1) and they picked up wins against Del Ray Soccer Club (3-2) and the Vancouver Whitecaps (1-0). Dan Parr led his team with three scores and Bryce Shaffer put two in the back of the net, while Brian Savage and Alex Shubert both added goals.
Bill Becher, the USL-2 Coach of the Year, will work closely with Derek Potteiger in interviewing prospective coaches for the 2006 youth teams. City Islanders professional players will provide technical training. Coach's Applications are available for interested individuals on the team's website www.cityislanders.com.
The Harrisburg City Islanders completed their second season in the United Soccer Leagues Second Division (USL-2) this past August. The club made the playoffs for the second straight year after posting a 12-3-5 regular season mark, and will enter 2006 with a club record 15-game unbeaten streak intact. Head Coach Bill Becher was named the league's Coach of the Year and forward Chad Severs earned Rookie of the Year honors. For more information, call 717-441-GOAL or visit www.cityislanders.com.
For more information, call 717-441-GOAL or visit www.cityislanders.com.
United Soccer League Championship Stories from November 23, 2005
- Three More Re-Sign With City Islanders - Penn FC
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