Marshall University Athletics
Men's Soccer Adds Four to 2006 Signing Class
6/7/2006 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
June 7, 2006
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. - The Marshall men's soccer team has added four more student-athletes to its 2006 class of signees, Thundering Herd head coach Bob Gray has announced. West Virginia University transfer Kolby LaCrone will come to Huntington along with the Tyler Junior College trio of Karl Haggon, Jermaine Johnson and Avneet Shergill. LaCrone has three years of eligibility remaining, while Haggon, Johnson and Shergill each have two left. The four student-athletes join Matt Fessenden and Sterling Flunder, who signed letters of intent with Marshall in February.
"The addition of all four players brings instant competition for starting spots on our squad," Gray said. "Karl, Jermaine and Avneet all have played at one of the premier junior college programs in the country, and Kolby was a key contributor at West Virginia. Their experience will be invaluable immediately."
Tyler Junior College finished the 2005 season 13-3-2 and ranked No. 11 in the NJCAA poll.
Haggon, a defender from Peterlee County, Durham, England, was an NJCAA and NSCAA All-American last season. He also served as team captain.
"We are excited to be getting a junior college All-American from a top-notch program," Gray said. "Karl will bring instant leadership to the team and can fill some holes in the middle of the defense. We have been unlucky with injuries, thus he will provide immediate depth to our squad."
Johnson, a midfielder from St. Andrew, Jamaica, was an NJCAA All-Region selection in 2005. He also hails from the same high school, Campertown H.S., as Claude Hunt, a former Marshall soccer standout. Johnson's coach there, Barrington Gaynor, was a former player of Gray's and a four-time All-American at Alderson Broaddus College.
"Jermaine Johnson is an outstanding talent that has represented his country internationally," Gray said. "He will bring an individual creativity that could single-handedly help break down opponents. His strength is his ability to find the open man. He will be looked upon to provide an immediate impact in the central midfield."
Shergill, a midfielder from Seattle, Wash., was an NJCAA and NSCAA All-Region pick last year.
"Avneet Shergill is a very skillful individual that we will look to help us out up front to score goals," Gray said. "He has the ability to take players on one-on-one and has an excellent shot with either foot. He also is a specialist when taking free kicks."
LaCrone comes to Marshall via West Virginia University, where he played for one year with the Mountaineers. He competed in 16 matches last year, starting once. He starred at Tri-Valley High School in Zanesville, Ohio, where he holds the state record for career assists with 109. LaCrone also is 18th in state history with 108 career goals. He is one of just two players in state annals to record 30 assists and 40 goals in one season (34 assists, 46 goals in 2003).
"Kolby is an outstanding forward who has the ability to score in every game," Gray said. "He is quick, skillful and has a competitive nature that will fit in well for our squad. I believe he could be one piece of the puzzle that we have been missing."
Marshall opens its exhibition season at home Aug. 19 against West Virginia, then begins regular season play Aug. 25 in Huntington versus Manhattan.
