WEST HARTFORD, Conn. – University of Hartford men's soccer coach Dan Gaspar announced the addition of 10 players who will join the squad for the upcoming 2010 season.
Joining the Hawks as true freshmen will be David Butzke (Centreville, Va./Paul VI Catholic), Neil Cunha (Fairhaven, Mass./Bishop Stang), Jon Gil (Rocky Hill, Conn./Rocky Hill), Ian Ross (Wilton, Conn./Wilton/South Kent), Daniel Sangster (Duxbury, Mass./Duxbury) and Lloyd Shillabeer (Troy, Ala./Charles Henderson).
Gaspar also introduced a foursome of newcomers hailing from overseas. Steven Aiston (Blaydon, England) Tomás Boyle (Kildare, Ireland/Salesian), Seán McKinney (Derry, Ireland/St. Columb's) and Liam Williams (Wiltshire, England/Bradon Forest Secondary/Cirencester) will enter the program's roster as freshmen in 2010.
Boyle, Butze, Sangster and Williams will be vying for time in Hartford's back line that lost a pair of starters to graduation while the midfield will see the addition of Cunha, Gil and Shillabeer. Rounding out the new players are Aiston, McKinney and Ross who will join Patrick Boucher, the Hawks' returning top-scorer, at the forward position.
Tomás Boyle · Kildare, Ireland
Boyle comes to Hartford after a stellar career at Salesian College where he played six years of soccer. The center back led his team to Leinster school titles in 2006, 2008 and 2010. Boyle also helped Salesian College to an All-Ireland school title in the 2006 season and brought the squad to the All-Ireland finals in 2008 and 2010. Most recently, he captained Ireland's U-18 team in the 2009-10 seasons and played six games for the squad in 2008-09. Additionally, Boyle won the U-20 Eircom League with UCD AFC in 2009 and played Gaelic Athletic Association at Kidare for four-straight years.
“Tomas is an outstanding center back that will impact the direction of Hartford soccer immediately,” commented Gaspar. “He is a proven winner and leader, having captained his country. Tomás should develop into one of the top players in the America East.”
Liam Williams · Wiltshire, England
Williams played five years of soccer at Bradon Forest Secondary School before attending Cirencester College for two years. The 6-4 defender helped Bradon Forest to five-straight appearances in England's final 16 while stringing together five consecutive unbeaten seasons. Williams also played for the Southampton FC Academy for two years and represented the Swindon Schoolboys for three years. In addition, Williams played for the Swindon town football club centre of excellence for five years and represented Wiltshire County as a captain. Williams was also a successful high school basketball player at Bradon Forest where he was a four-year member of the team and captured a national championship with the squad. Williams also adds experience with England's U-18 squad to his soccer resume. The Wiltshire, England native represented his nation in the Centenerary Shield, a tournament also featuring Northern Ireland, Wales, Scotland and the Republic of Ireland. Williams helped his team to a 2-1-1 mark in the Tournament where he faced fellow Hartford signee Boyle in the final game, a 1-0 loss to the Republic of Ireland.
“Liam has fantastic attributes as a player – size, vision, technique, and like Tomás he is a proven winner and leader,” Gaspar exclaimed. “His presence will be felt in our conference right away.”
Seán McKinney · Derry, Ireland
McKinney, Hartford's second newcomer from Ireland, attended St. Columb's College where he helped his team to three Northern Ireland national championships. Additionally, the forward led St. Columb's College to five-consecutive unbeaten seasons and was the team's top scorer for two seasons. Last season, McKinney played for Limavady United F.C. where he was voted the Player of the Year after leading the squad in scoring. Most recently, the Derry, Ireland native spent time with the Institute F.C. U-18 team and again earned Player of the Year honors while leading his team to the 2009 Foyle Cup Championship. In 2008, McKinney won the La Copa de la Costa in Spain and won the Derry Cup four times with the Top of the Hill team. McKinney also spent time with the Trojans F.C. where he captained the team and captured Northern Ireland Club Cup. McKinney also played five years of Gaelic.
“Seán has scored goals at every level he has played at, and the NCAA will be no exception,” explained Gaspar. “He is a skillful and creative footballer with plenty of personality.”
Steven Aiston · Blaydon, England
Aiston played eight years of soccer at Whickham Comprehensive School before attending Gateshead College, where he was a member of the soccer team for three years. At Whickham, Aiston captured the Gateshead Schools' Cup twice and also helped the squad to a league championship. The Blaydon, England native topped the team in scoring for three consecutive years and was deemed Whickham's Player of the Year in his final two years. Aiston also enjoyed a brilliant career at Gateshead, where he finished as the squad's top goal scorer in two seasons while leading the team to the ECFA league championship, ECFA Champions' Cup, NECL League championship and the NECL League Cup all three seasons.
“Steven has pace and skill paired with the passion and heart that we typically associate with English players,” said Gaspar. “He will be an immediate threat for us up top.”
Daniel Sangster · Duxbury, Mass.
Sangster, a 6-3 defender, comes to Hartford with an impressive soccer resume. A member of the Massachusetts' ODP and the New England Revolution Academy, Sangster was also a four-year member of the varsity soccer team at Duxbury High School. He led his high school team in scoring for three-straight seasons, amassing 48 goals and 31 assists over his career. Sangster led his team to the Massachusetts state finals in 2008 and was named the most valuable player of the game. The two-year captain comes to Hartford with a long list of accolades. During his senior season in 2009, Sangster was named Massachusetts All-State and to the Boston Herald All-Scholastic Team. Additionally, Sangster was a three-time Patriot Ledger Newspaper All-Star, a three-time Patriot League all-star and was selected to the Eastern Massachusetts All-Star team for three-straight seasons where he was named the all-star game's most valuable player in 2009.
“Daniel comes from one of the top MLS academies in the nation,” Gaspar commented. “He has all the attributes to develop into a top player in our conference.”
Jon Gil · Rocky Hill, Conn.
Gil played for Rocky Hill High School where he played four years of varsity soccer and captained the team as a senior. He has been a two-time all-conference selection and was named the team's most valuable player in 2009. The midfielder led the team in scoring in his final two seasons. Jon plays for the Soccer Plus Premier Club, coached by former United States International Janusz Michalik. Gil was also an indoor track and field all-conference selection as a junior and was the team's captain as a senior.
“Jon is a well known to us as a local player,” said Gaspar. “He is a technical, left-footed player who is a fierce competitor. Jon will add depth of quality to our left side.”
Lloyd Shillabeer · Troy, Ala.
Shillabeer comes out of Troy, Ala. by way of Charles Henderson High School where he was a member of the varsity soccer team for seven years, and also was a four-year member of the cross country team and two-year member of the football team. Shillabeer started on the varsity soccer team for five years, and led the team to two-straight Alabama 5A, Section 2 championships in 2009 and 2010. The team's leading scorer, the midfielder was selected to the Alabama High School Athletic Association's All-State team. Shillabeer represented Alabama's ODP team for five years (2005-09), and was selected for the ODP training exchange program with Montery and Guadalajara. Additionally, Shillabeer played club soccer for an array of teams including the River Region Rapids, the Alabama Alliance, Capital City Streaks and the Palm Beach United U-18 squad.
“Lloyd is another left-footed player that is quick, skillful and was a highly sought after recruit down South,” exclaimed Gaspar. “He gives another quality option on the left flank.”
David Butzke · Centreville, Va.
Butzke played four years of soccer at Paul VI Catholic High School in Fairfax, Va. where was tabbed first team all-state, first team all-conference and was selected as an all-MET honorable mention. As a senior, the center back netted five goals and tallied five assists. In 2008, Butzke was chosen to play for Virginia's Olympic Development Program.
“David is a quality defender – athletic, with good technique,” Gaspar said. “He is versatile, and will add depth to the back line.”
Neil Cunha · Fairhaven, Mass.
Cunha attended Bishop Stang High School where he lettered in both soccer and tennis. The midfielder logged four years of varsity soccer and was tabbed an Eastern Athletic Conference All-Star and was named to the Standard Times Newspaper's Soccer Super Team during his high school career. In addition to soccer, Cunha played two years of varsity tennis at Bishop Stang High School.
“Neil is quick, clever, and can run the show in the center of the park,” explained Gaspar. “He gives another quality player to add depth to our squad.”
Ian Ross · Wilton, Conn.
Ross comes to Hartford after playing four years of varsity soccer at Wilton High School and one post grad season at South Kent Prep School in 2009. At Wilton High School, the forward started three seasons and tallied 15 goals and 10 assists. During his final year, Ross captained the team and was an All-FCIAC Senior Bowl selection. The Wilton, Conn. native joined fellow Hartford signee Obrant in leading South Kent to two consecutive New England Preparatory School Championships. In his lone season with South Kent, he netted seven goals and assisted on six. In addition, Ross was named all-county and was a senior bowl selection.
“Ian is another skillful left-footer who will add depth to our side,” said Gaspar.
