Marshall University Athletics
Men's Soccer Adds Four Standouts for 2010
2/8/2010 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Feb. 8, 2010
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. - Marshall University men's soccer head coach Bob Gray has announced the signing of four student-athletes to National Letters of Intent for the 2010-2011 school year. Travis Brent of Virginia Beach, Va., Michael Hayes of Fort Wayne, Ind., Ryan Kelly of West Deptford, N.J. and Anthony Virgara of Pittsburgh, Penn., bring a high pedigree as they join the Thundering Herd for the upcoming fall 2010 season.
"We are very excited about this recruiting class," Gray said. "We have worked hard to get the right mix of players to come right in and look to contribute immediately. As a group, they bring us a lot of speed, athleticism and versatility; all attributes that are necessary to succeed in Conference USA."
"As a coaching staff, we couldn't be happier with the combination of this group and the returning players. They are only going to make us that much better. We'll be young again, but we should prove to be dangerous. We look forward to working with them in August and we feel as though we'll have a real solid team."
Travis Brent, a 5-foot-11, 160-pound defender, was a four year player at Landstown High School and has played and captained for the Virginia Rush AJ Auxerre Development Academy team for two years under legendary coach Jay Hoffman. Brent was a four-year Honor Roll student in high school and also volunteers for the TOPSoccer program.
"Travis is one of the more athletic players out there," Gray said. "He will contribute in the back for us where he has played for years and is very comfortable. He sees the field very well and rarely gets caught out of position. He is steady as can be and just as important, he is a great young man".
"I chose Marshall because I like both Coach Gray and Coach Olivier," Bent stated. "The motivation they have for the MU soccer program is what I am looking for."
Michael Hayes, a 5-foot-8, 150-pound outside midfielder hails from Fort Wayne, IN, and will join former players Jamar and Demarcus Beasley in the ranks of big time soccer players hailing from Southside High School from the Summit Athletic Conference. He has spent the last two years playing for the FC Pride in Indianapolis, during the spring, and the Fort Wayne Fever Super Y team in the summer.
"Two words: pace and explosiveness", said Gray. "He loves to have the ball at his feet and take on players down the wing, and he delivers a great cross from dangerous positions in the final third. He is cheeky in 1v1's and should give us another dimension in our improved midfield play".
"When I attended Marshall's summer camp I had a chance to meet the players and coaches," said Hayes. "I got along with all them really well. They made it seem like I was already a part of the team."
Ryan Kelly, a 5-foot-9, 155-pound midfielder, has played on the defending New Jersey State Championship Pittsgrove Premier '92 team, for three years. He was a three-year varsity player at West Deptford high school where he garnered all-conference and all-state honors as a senior. Kelly also played on the New Jersey state ODP team in 2009.
"We noticed Ryan right away for his grit and work ethic on the field, both in high level club soccer and in regional ODP events," said Gray. "He is real comfortable on the ball, likes to mix it up with opponents, and most important, is a blue collar player. We expect great things from Ryan."
Marshall's style of play is something that drew me to the school. I like the way the play and I feel like I can fit into the system right away. I am excited to be a part of that."
Virgara, a 6-foot, 160-pound midfielder, hails from Keystone Oaks High School, where he was a force in high school soccer, garnering all-area greater Pittsburgh, all-conference, all-state, and NSCAA all-region honors his senior year. He has played on the Pennsylvania West state champion Allegheny Force team for two years.
"Anthony's athleticism and versatility give us the flexibility to play him at either outside or central midfielder," Gray said. "With a knack to get forward in the attack, confidence to take people on with pace, and a consistent shot from 18-yards out, he will give us a real viable option for our flank play. He is sure to create problems for opposing defenders and we look to get him involved immediately."
Marshall finished the 2009 season with a 10-7-2 overall record and a 6-2 mark in Conference USA. The Herd finished second in both regular-season and post-season play. MU made a run to the C-USA championship game but fell at the hands of Tulsa.
The Thundering Herd opens what promises to be an exciting 2010 season on September 1st at home against Xavier.
