WEST HARTFORD, Conn. – University of Hartford men's soccer coach Dan Gaspar announced the final additions to the 2010 roster. Gaspar introduced Omar Camara (Brooklyn, N.Y./The Beacon School) and Ryan Wahab (Windsor, Conn./Windsor) who will enter the program as true freshmen for the upcoming season. The duo joins 10 new players who were announced last month.
Camara was a three-year member of the varsity soccer team at The Beacon School where he put together a successful career. As a senior, the Brooklyn, N.Y. native led his team to the 2009 Public School Athletic League (PSAL) “A” Division semifinals with an impressive regular season record of 8-3-0. As a junior in 2008, Camara helped The Beacon School post an undefeated regular season record of 12-0-0 and an overall record of 18-1-1 that included a trip to the PSAL “A” Division championship. In 2007, The Beacon School advanced to the 2007 PSAL “A” Division semifinals with an overall record of 9-3-3.
In addition, Camara competed in the United States Youth Regional Directors Premier League in 2007, was a member of the New York Red Bulls U-16 academy team from 2008-09, and represented Eastern New York's Olympic Development Program for three years. Camara also earned the Northeast Regional Premier League championship in the 2009-10 season with the Manhattan Soccer Club coached by Shawn Hart.
“Omar is a gifted player with great natural ability,” Gaspar remarked. “He is a superb passer of the ball, and rarely loses possession. Omar will compete for time right away in the center of midfield.”
Wahab, a forward hailing from Windsor, Conn., played three years of soccer at Windsor High School. An all-conference honoree, Wahab also served as team captain of the Warriors. Wahab participated in the Kick It 3v3 soccer tournament where his team took home top honors in the Hartford District and went on to finish in second place at the regional tournament. In addition to soccer, Wahab also played one year of high school baseball and played AAU basketball for the Connecticut Warriors.
“Ryan is a good athlete with pace,” commented Gaspar. “He will add depth at the forward position.”
The men's soccer team finished 2009 with an overall record of 8-7-3 and advanced to the America East Championship for the third consecutive year. The Hawks were eliminated by Stony Brook in the semifinals via penalty kicks. Gaspar paced the Hawks to a mark of 4-2-1 mark in the America East while recording 13 points in conference play, the most since the 2003 season. The Hawks return Patrick Boucher, last year's top scorer, and James Stamopoulos, a 2009 America East All-Rookie Team selection.
The Hawks have added 10 newcomers who will join the roster for the upcoming 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.
