Feb. 4, 2009
COLUMBIA, S.C. –
The Gamecock men’s soccer team has announced a group of four student-athletes who will continue their academic and athletic careers at the University of South Carolina beginning in the fall of 2009. The class features two members of the U18 National Team, one of the top 10 recruits in the country (Rise Magazine), one NSCAA Adidas High School All-American, one NSCAA/Adidas Youth All-American, four members of the Region III ODP (Olympic Development Program) squad, one state high school player of the year and three all-state honorees.
Eric Martinez – Fort Mill, S.C. – 6-2, 180 – Defender/Midfielder
• U18 U.S. Men’s National Team
• NSCAA Adidas High School All-American
• ESPN.com Top 10 Recruit in the country (2009 class)
• North Carolina State High School Player of the Year (high school coaches)
• Region III Team ODP
• North Meck Storm club team
• US Academy
• North Carolina, All-State, 2006-08
• Charlotte Observer/Charlotte Weekly North Carolina State Player of the Year
• Played prep career for coach Bill Finneyfrock at Providence Day High School in Charlotte, N.C.
• Earned All-Conference, All-Region and All-State honors (2006-08)
• Named unanimous conference player of the year during junior and senior campaign
• Earned region Player of the Year, and state Player of the Year during senior season
• Played for coach Todd Hermann for North Meck Storm
• Plans to major in Business at South Carolina
Alex Long – Cary, N.C. – 6-3, 200 – Goalkeeper
• U18 U.S. Men’s National Team
• NSCAA/Adidas Youth All-America Team – Dec 2008
• U18 U.S. Men’s National Team Camp (Sydney, Australia) – Jan 2009
• U18 U.S. Men’s National Team Camp – Dec 2008, Jan 2008
• U18 U.S. Men’s National Team (Lisbon, Portugal) – May 2008
• North Carolina, All-State, 2008
• Region III Team ODP
• CASL Chelsea FC Academy
• US Academy
• Played prep career for head coach Andrew Chadwick at Green Hope High School in Cary, N.C.
• High school squad advanced to state semifinals
• An All-State honoree
• Played for coach Rusty Scarborough for CASL Chelsea FC Academy
• Plans to major in Business at South Carolina
Kevin Stam – Raleigh, N.C. – 6-2, 190 – Defender/Midfielder
• Region III Team ODP
• North Carolina, All-State, 2007-08
• CASL Chelsea FC Academy
• US Academy
• Admitted to the University of South Carolina Honors College
• Played prep career for coach Israel Hernandez at Needham B. Broughton High School in Raleigh, N.C.
• Named varsity team captain in 2007, 2008
• Named to the CAP 7 All-Conference Team (2006-08)
• All-State honoree (2007-08)
• Named Academic All-Conference (2005-08)
• High school squad earned NCHSAA 4A State Championship in back-to-back years (2006-07)
• Member of the high school Honor Roll, National Honor Society, National Merit Scholarship Recognition and an AP Scholar
• Played for coach Rusty Scarborough for CASL Chelsea FC Academy
Ryan Goodwin – Huntersville, N.C. – 5-8, 150 – Midfielder
• Region III Team ODP
• Region III International Trip to Costa Rica – March 2009
• 2008 South Carolina State Team, ODP Championship, Region III Finalist
• Charlotte Weekly Team of the Year
• During senior year, earned Team MVP, All-Conference, All-Region, NCHSAA All-Star East-West Game
• Carolina Elite Soccer Academy (S.C.)
• Lettered two years for coach Marc Caulderone and coach Paul Kitka at North Mecklenburg High School in Huntersville, N.C.
• Named team captain as a senior, leading team in goals and assists
• Played club soccer for CESA 90′ Premier and coach Nick Finotti
• Plans to major in Business at South Carolina
