UNC Pembroke Men’s Soccer Releases 2011 Recruiting Class

PEMBROKE – Three in-state products, another from Massachusetts and three international players comprise the seven-member 2011 UNCP men’s soccer signing class released Wednesday morning by head coach Phil Hindson.

The class – Hindson’s second since taking over the tradition-rich program prior to the 2010 campaign – is comprised of four midfielders, two defenders and one forward. Two of the student-athletes will play for UNCP in 2011 having already gained collegiate soccer experience at another institution.

“We are very happy that this group of young men has decided to attend UNCP,” Hindson said. “This class is another step forward for our program as we continue to build for the Fall.”

The Braves will open up year two of the Hindson era on September 1 when they suit up to battle region rival St. Andrews in a 7 p.m. contest at Varsity Grounds. Admission to all 2011 home soccer matches is free.

SHAUN HERSELMEN
5-11, 165, Defender
Johannesburg, South Africa (Tyler JC/Reddam House HS)
BEFORE UNCP: Played one season at Tyler Junior College … Started all 18 games as a freshman in 2010 and scored six points on one goal and four assists … Integral line of defense on an Apache squad that rattled off a 21-0-1 record and captured the 2010 junior college national championship.

HIGH SCHOOL/CLUB: Did not participate in prep sports while attending Reddam House High School.

PERSONAL: Son of Gayle Delyce … Has two older brothers, Brandon and Justin … Undecided on a major at UNCP.

JEFF MACDONALD
5-10, 160, Midfield/Defender
Auburn, Mass. (Roger Williams University/St. John’s High School)
BEFORE UNCP: Played one season at Roger Williams University in Bristol, R.I. … Started all 19 games for the Hawks and helped lead the squad to a 7-9-3 record … Scored nine points on four goals and one assist … Also logged 34 shots.

HIGH SCHOOL/CLUB: Prepped at St. John’s High School … Played club soccer for New England Eagles FC … Earned second-consecutive all-conference and all-district laurels as a prep senior … Helped lead St. John’s to the 2007 state championship and 2008 district title … Paced club team to state championship and region title game during last season of competition.

PERSONAL: Son of Melissa and Richard MacDonald … Has one sister, Jillian, and one brother, Andrew … Undecided on a major at UNCP.

MATT MACDOUGALL
5-7, 155, Forward
Richlands, N.C. (Richlands HS)
HIGH SCHOOL/CLUB: Prepped at Richlands High School for coach Mike Roed … Played club soccer for OCSA 92 Crew and coach Cam Ormsby … Scored 83 points on 28 goals and 27 assists as a prep senior en route to second consecutive all-conference, all-area, all-region and all-state accolades … Also named team MVP and was named Jacksonville Daily News Offensive Player of the Year … Helped lead Wildcats to a 16-8-2 record and the fourth round of the state playoffs where they lost to the eventual state runner-up … Scored 49 points on 18 goals and 13 assists as a prep junior while serving the first of two stints as captain … Selected to play in state of North Carolina East-West All-Star Game … Is also a standout on the baseball team at Richlands.

PERSONAL: Son of Leah and Billy MacDougall … Has two older brothers, Zack and Jeremy … Maintains a 4.44 cumulative grade point average and ranks 13th in his 230-member senior class … Undecided on a major at UNCP.

SIDNEY PETERSON
5-11, 160, Defender
Jacksonville, N.C. (Jacksonville HS)
HIGH SCHOOL/CLUB: Prepped at Jacksonville High School for coach David Miller … Played club soccer for OCSA 91 Crew and coach Cam Ormsby … Club and high school teammate of fellow signee Cody Warf … Earned second consecutive all-conference, all-region and all-state honors after helping to lead the Cardinals to a 28-3-1 record and the regional finals … Also named area defensive player of the year for the second-straight time … Also named to the all-south squad while being named a scholar all-American … Scored four points on one goal and two assists as a junior in pacing Jacksonville to a 28-1-0 record and the region finals.

PERSONAL: Son of Mindy and Paul Peterson … Has an older brother, Kirk … Maintains a 4.08 cumulative grade point average at Jacksonville High School and ranks in the top 17 percent of his 249-member senior class … Undecided on a major at UNCP.

REECE ROONEY
5-11, 155, Midfield
Waterford, Ireland
HIGH SCHOOL/CLUB: Did not participate in prep sports … Spent five seasons (2004-08) playing for Villa FC … Helped lead club to league title in 2005 while also capturing player of the year laurels … Named to Ireland and Munster Emerging Talent Squads and was chosen for a trial appearance by Celtic FC … Had a three-year stint with Park Rangers (Waterford) FC (2002-04) … Earned both Players Player of the Year award and Managers Player of the Year award … Qualified to play for the county team, as well as the Waterford United development squad.

PERSONAL: Son of Sharon and Paul Rooney … Has a younger brother, Kieran … Plans to major in athletic training or physical education at UNCP.

ADAM SMITH
5-9, 155, Midfield
Nelson, S.I., New Zealand (Nayland College HS)
HIGH SCHOOL/CLUB: Prepped at Nayland College High School … Played club soccer for Canterbury United and Nelson Suburbs … Captained Nayland to first national final in school history as a prep senior, scoring seven goals in six games along the way … Voted team most valuable player at conclusion of season … Named Young Player of the Year and Supporters Player of the Year while participating with club organization … Played on New Zealand U16 National Team where he made a trip to high-level tournament in Portland, Ore. … Also played in a Friendly vs. Chile as a part of the New Zealand U17 National Team … Accepted a stint as a guest player for Otago United at the 2010 Northern Ireland Milk Cup and had trial stints with English clubs Blackburn Rovers, Hull City and Middlesbrough.

PERSONAL: Son of Allison and Richard Smith … Has two younger brothers, Thomas and Joshua … Born in Nottingham, England, but relocated to New Zealand in 2005 … Undecided on a major at UNCP.

CODY WARF
6-0, 165, Midfield
Jacksonville, N.C. (Jacksonville HS)
HIGH SCHOOL/CLUB: Prepped at Jacksonville High School for coach David Miller … Played club soccer for OCSA 91 Crew and coach Cam Ormsby … Club and high school teammate of fellow signee Sidney Peterson … Earned second consecutive all-area and all-state honors as a prep senior after leading the Cardinals to a 28-3-1 record and the regional finals … Earned the same honors as a junior en route to leading Jacksonville to a 28-1 record and the region finals.

PERSONAL: Son of Heather Warf and David Moreau … Has an older brother, Michael … Maintains a 3.2 cumulative grade point average at Jacksonville High School and ranks in the top 40 percent of his 275-member senior class … Undecided on a major at UNCP.