Andrews Inks Nine for 2012
WILMORE, Ky. – Asbury Men’s Soccer Head Coach Ben Andrews has announced the signing of nine players for the 2012 season. The Eagles are coming off a 14-win season where they captured the Kentucky Intercollegiate Athletic Conference regular and postseason titles.
One-third of the signees come from West Jessamine High School, giving the Eagles 11 former Colts on their roster. This year Harold Brabon, Craig Moberley and Cliff Evans are moving from West to Asbury. Coach Andrews also welcomes in three other Kentucky products in Jesse Evans (Nicholasville, Ky. / Homeschool), Andrew Parker (Bowling Green, Ky. / Bowling Green High School) and Nick Grounds (Lexington, Ky. / Paul Laurence Dunbar High School).
Two of the three non-Kentucky commits are transfers as Josh Webb (Bristol, Tenn.) sat out as a redshirt-freshman last year at King College and Chris Israel who leaves Cedarville University to join the Eagles. John Burns is the ninth signee from Spruce Creek High School in Port Orange, Florida.
“I’m extremely excited to be adding these nine players to our program," Andrews remarked. "Their talents and experience will add depth to our team and will make every training session extremely competitive. I’m just as excited about the character of these young men and how our program’s potential off the field will grow as well. 2012 will be a fun year for AU Men’s Soccer and I can only hope to build off last year’s success.”
Harold Brabon (Wilmore, Ky. / West Jessamine High School)
Brabon, a defender, spent two years on the varsity at West, playing for Head Coach Brock Sutherland, finishing 2011 with a 9-8-1 overall record. He was also a member of the cross country and tennis teams at West. Brabon played club for Bluegrass ’94 out of Versailles.
John Burns (Port Orange, Fla. / Spruce Creek High School)
Burns spent two years as a member of the Hawks squad, racking up 125 saves and a 1.15 GAA as a senior. Those numbers put him on the All-Area team as a goalkeeper. He also won the Coach’s Award twice, in 2009-10 and 2011-12. Burns was named to the Hickory Point Invitational All-Tournament Team. As a member of the Ormond Beach Apollo club team he helped the squad to the State Cup Sweet 16. They also won the Seminole Day Labor Day Tournament.
Cliff Evans (Wilmore, Ky. / West Jessamine High School)
Evans spent all four years as a Colt on the varsity team. He was named to the All-Tournament Team at the Thorobred Classic hosted by Harrison County as a senior, an event where the Colts were the only 3-0 team. Evans led the team in assists as a senior, playing as a midfielder/forward, and was named a Wendy’s High School Heisman. Evans was also a member of the basketball and swimming teams at West. He also played club for the Bluegrass program out of Versailles.
Nick Grounds (Lexington, Ky. / Paul Laurence Dunbar High School)
Grounds attended Paul Laurence Dunbar High School in Lexington but did not play soccer for the Bulldogs. He did play golf for three years and lacrosse for one year. His sister, Kate, is a member of the cheerleading squad at Asbury.
Chris Israel (Mount Vernon, Ohio / Cedarville University / Mount Vernon High School)
Israel joins the Eagles after spending one year at Cedarville University in Cedarville, Ohio. He did not play in a game after suffering an injury. Prior to attending Cedarville, Israel was a co-captain at Mount Vernon High School as a senior. He was voted most improved player as a junior and was a Special Mention All-Conference selection as a senior, playing in the midfield. Israel was named All-Conference Scholar Athlete as a senior. He was also an active member in Fellowship of Christian Athletes and the National Honor Society.
Craig Moberley (Nicholasville, Ky. / West Jessamine High School)
Moberley will join his brother, Ryan, in 2012. Craig spent four years on the varsity at West Jessamine including a freshman campaign where the Colts won the 27th District and 14th Region crowns en route to the state tournament quarterfinals. As a junior Moberley scored four goals and assisted on a team-high eight others. He played club soccer for Jessamine Storm.
Andrew Parker (Bowling Green, Ky. / Bowling Green High School)
Parker played for four years at Bowling Green High School for Craig Widener. While there Parker was an Academic All-State selection in each of his four years. The Purples won the 7th District championship in 2011 before falling the 4th Region championship. Parker played club soccer for Louisville Soccer Alliance and was a member of the Kentucky State Olympic Development team in 2010.
Jesse Peterson (Nicholasville, Ky. / Homeschool)
Peterson played for his brother, Zac – a former Asbury soccer player, at Bluegrass United. With the Bluehawks Peterson led the team in assists in each of his last three years and was named a captain for his final two years. He helped the Bluehawks post an 18-4-1 mark in 2011 playing out of the midfield. Peterson was named National Christian Schools Athletic Association All-American during his senior year. He also played club soccer for Jessamine Storm.
Josh Webb (Bristol, Tenn. / King College / Homeschool)
Webb joins the Eagles after redshirting his freshman year at King College in Bristol, Tenn. He will have four years of eligibility remaining. Before attending King Webb was a member of Fusion FC out of Bristol. He was homeschooled, playing soccer and baseball.
