FROM STAFF REPORTS

The University of Montevallo men’s soccer team has announced the signing of nine recruits for the upcoming 2011 season.

The group includes three forwards, four midfielders, one defender and a goalkeeper hailing from England, New Zealand, Trinidad and Tobago, Canada, Ireland and the United States. Seven are coming in as true freshman, while two of the nine are Division I transfers.

The list of signees include Ricky Davey, Thomas Davis, Brad Davies, Patrick Dougall, Guiliano Frano, Jonathan Hilton, Shane Howard, Alex Morton and Kyle Stuller.

Davey is a midfielder from Exeter, England. He comes to Montevallo as a transfer student from Appalachian State University in North Carolina and will enter the school as a sophomore. After spending one semester in the mountains, he decided that Montevallo would be a better fit. He will be looking to make an impact in the center midfield and continue the strong tradition of one of the best midfields in the Southeast Region. Ricky will be studying kinesiology at Montevallo with the support from his parents, Keith and Kim and brother, Donovan.

Davey has numerous awards including being a member of a team that was an Independent Schools Football Association Cup (ISFA) semifinalist in 2006-07 and a finalist in 2007-08. He was also a member of a team that was an English Schools’ Football Association Cup (ESFA) finalist in 2006-07 and the Cup winners in 2007-08. Ricky served as the team captain in 2007-08. He was awarded the Millfield Supporters Club Goal of the Season. His team won the East Devon Cup in 2007.

Davey was a member of the U-18 League Cup runners-up. He won the U-18 Southwest Counties Championship and was named the Somerset County Schools Player of the Year for 2007-08. He was selected to play for England in the Independent Schools International Challenge Match against Scotland. He was also nominated for the 2008 ISFA Player of the Year. While at Appalachian State he competed in seven games with two starts. He scored the game-tying goal in an eventual 2-1 win for Appalachian State over Elon.

Davis is a defender from North Shore, Auckland, New Zealand. He is flying half way around the world to join the Montevallo family. Coming in as a true freshman, he will add a genuine left-sided player to the roster. An aggressive attacking back, his height and ability to spray the ball around will create problems for other teams. Thomas will be studying communications with the support of his parents Michael and Ann.

Davis is a member of Waitakere United Football Club U-19 who won the ASB Championship in 2010. He was also a member of the East Coast Bays Football Club. He won the U-19 National Club Championship in 2009. He was a part of back-to-back Northern Club Championships in 2009 and 2010. He also won the National Youth Championship in 2010. Thomas scored the second goal in a 2-0 win in the 2010 Youth League Championship match.

Davies is a forward from Sheffield, England, hometown of outgoing 2010 Montevallo seniors Austin McIntosh and James Steer. He will be looking to bring his pace and size to an already strong offense. After playing with some of the best in England, he looks to continue his dangerous attacking play here with the Falcons. He will have some big shoes to fill as the team tries to replace last year’s All-American forward, Nathaniel Foster who led Montevallo to the 13th-ranked scoring offense in Division II. Coach Hassler believes that Brad is up to the challenge. Brad will be studying kinesiology with the support from his parents Simon & Caron and siblings, Brittani & Rhys.

Davies was a member of both the Leeds United FC and Bradford City FC Academy. He was a South Yorkshire Representative in 2008, 2009 and 2010. He was a Rotherham Schools Representative for 2006 and 2007. He was a member of the 2005 Rotherham Schools Cup Champions.

Dougall is a midfielder from Petit Valley, Trinidad & Tobago. He is a crafty, athletic midfielder with the ability to break down opposing teams with intelligent passing or creative individual attacking. He sees the field well and has the ability to finish anytime he is around the box. Patrick will be studying business management with the support of his parents Desmond and Natalie as well as siblings Carol and Hayley.

Dougall is a seven-time MVP with La Foucade Soccer. He was also named the Most Promising Player at La Foucade four times.

Frano is a midfielder from Mississauga, Canada. He is an extremely athletic player with an exceptional work-rate. His intensity on the pitch is complimented by quick feet, good technique and a solid understanding of the game. A multi-sport athlete in high school who is capable of playing almost anywhere on the field, Giuliano should make an immediate impact for the Falcons. While he has not yet chosen a major, he is a top student and will attend Montevallo with the full support of his parents Rose and Rocco.

Frano played with Dixi Super Nova the number one ranked team in Ontario in 2010. He helped win the 2010 and 2009 Kalamazoo Invitational Tournament with the Mississauga Falcons. He helped lead the team to the 2010 East Division Championship. He won the 2008 Ontario Cup, as well as the 2008 Ontario Summer Games, as a member of the Falcons. He won Athlete of the Year three times. He was also named to the St. Marcellinus Honor Roll all four years of High School.

Hilton is a goalkeeper from Slidell, La. He makes his way east to Montevallo for the fall from the Gulf Coast after leading Northshore High School to a record of 18-2-0. His 6-foot-5 frame and strong hands will be very hard to beat and will be a strong asset to a team that had the 21st-ranked goals against average in Division II last season. Jonathan is undecided in his major but plans to piece it together once he arrives on campus in the fall with the supports of his parents Karen Surdi and David Hilton and sister, Elisabeth.

Hilton was a member of the 2009 and 2010 Louisiana DI State Champions, the Slidell Youth Soccer Club Hurricanes. He was named the District Defensive MVP in 2011 as well as First Team All-District. He was also named to the Times Picayune All-Metro Team. He also competed in the 2011 Louisiana High School Athletic Association All-Star game.

Howard is a forward from County Carlow, Ireland. He comes to Montevallo as a transfer student from Old Dominion University and will enter the school as a junior. An accomplished player in Ireland, he looks to bring his strong pedigree to Montevallo. Shane’s ability to penetrate defenses and combine with streaking teammates will cause numerous problems when it comes to shutting down the Falcons’ attack. Shane will study kinesiology at Montevallo with the support of his parents Anthony and Ann, as well as his sister Laura.

Howard was named to the Colonial Athletic Association All-Rookie Team in 2009. He was also named to the CAA All-Tournament team. He was selected as Rookie of the Week in the CAA. Prior to coming to Old Dominion, he was a member of the Irish National Development Squad for three years. He won three All-Ireland Championships as well as making 15 International appearances for Ireland. He was named the 2009 Football Association of Ireland International Schools Player of the Year.

Morton is a forward from Hoover. He arrives at Montevallo following the footsteps of a number of Hoover High School alumni. His work rate and pace will be greatly embraced in an offense that lost a number of producing seniors. His senior high school season was hindered by small injuries but he will regain his successful form from years past this coming fall. Any player with his work rate will be hard to keep down for long. Alex will study accounting with the full support of his parents Glenna and Michelle, as well as his brother David.

Alex was named to the NSCAA All-Region team in 2010. He was a three time member of the Birmingham All-Metro Team. He was twice named Honorable Mention All-State. He was named the MVP of the Alabama North-South All-Star Game. He served as the team captain at Hoover. He was also the team captain of the Vestavia Steamers. He helped lead his team to the U-18 Alabama State Cup Championship.

Stuller is a midfielder from Hendersonville, N.C. He fits the mold of a soccer player to perfection. He is a versatile player with the ability to play almost any position on the field. His knack for playing quick, simple, dangerous passes will unbalance opponents and help Montevallo find success in the final third. He is a strong athlete with a passion for the game. Kyle will be studying physical therapy and kinesiology with the full support from his parents Brian and Cheryl, as well as his siblings Alec, Olivia and Carrissa.

Kyle was named to the 2010 North Carolina All-State Team. He was also named All-Region and All-Conference. He is a two-time 1-A North Carolina State Champion. He was named Academic All-Conference as well.