Mesa Legend - SPORTS - Soccer signings have players on the move

April 4 , 2006
SPORTS
Soccer signings have players on the move

Chris Ramirez
Mesa Legend

Sal Galvano has yet to officially be the MCC men’s soccer coach for more than a month, but the New York native has been making great use of his time.
Trying to make the transition between head coaches as smooth as possible, Galvano as been meeting with current MCC soccer players, recruiting new ones and helping several Thunderbirds advance to the next level in college athletics.
Two players from the 2005 team that are moving on are sophomores Daynon Kirby and Brian Pottinger. And surprisingly they are the only two moving on from the 2005 team. Freshman forward Chris Francis did have arrangements to play soccer at UNLV in the fall, but that fell through when coaching changes were made there.
Feeling that their time at MCC was productive and a good experience, Kirby and Pottinger will take their skills to Kansas Wesleyan University in Salina, Kan. It was the first school to show interest in the duo and the only place they officially visited.
“Kansas seemed like the right fit; good school, good team and a friendly atmosphere,” Kirby commented.
He and Pottinger will be joining a program that made a complete turn around in 2005 under the direction of former player Mike Dibbini, who was coaching his first season at KWU in 2005. The previous season had the men’s soccer team setting records for the fewest wins and goals in a season, as well as the worst margin of defeat in program history, which was set in a 0-16 loss.
However, the current KWU team stands as the reigning champions of the Kansas Colligate Athletic Conference after posting a 13-6-2 record in 2005.
Additionally, Kirby and Pottinger will feel at ease on KWU’s team, as the 2006 team should have nine players hailing from Arizona on its roster. Pottinger mentioned the Arizona natives were able to “give us the download and let us know what’s up right away.”
When asked about the significant number of Arizonans on his team, Dibbini said the speed of play, decision making, and quality of play are at a high level in the Grand Canyon State as “it’s a hot bed for soccer,” and are players he likes to have on his team.
Replacing Kirby and Pottinger on the Thunderbirds’ roster will be a slew of new faces since Galvano was only able to get a few players to return from the 2005 side. Those players are midfielders Micheal Glen and Chao Zhang and goalkeeper Jason Berg.
The first crop of high school recruits to become official Thunderbirds signed on March 23. They are goalkeepers Brian Anderson and Derek Otten, midfielders Nick Gervasi and Tyler Fleming, and forward Sean Wyne.
They will be put to work right away by participating in offseason practices and weight training sessions said Galvano. He, on the other hand, will continue on the recruiting trail, looking for additional players for the 2006 team.