MEN’S
SOCCER SIGNS THREE FOR 2006
HOUGHTON,
N.Y.
– Houghton College men’s soccer coach Matthew Webb has announced
the addition of three players to his roster for 2006.
Jesse Woolsey (Houghton, N.Y. / Fillmore), Justin Farnsworth
(Spencerport, N.Y. / Henrietta Christian School), and Steven
Grudda (Albion, Maine / Lawrence) have each signed letters of
intent to continue their soccer careers as Houghton Highlanders.
“These first
signings for next season are just the beginning of what is
looking to be one of the strongest incoming classes in our
program's history,” said Webb.
Woolsey
finished his career as one of the most decorated boys’ soccer
players in Fillmore history after a stellar senior campaign. The
Fourth-Team All-State selection was also named the
Big 30
Player of the Year, Section V Allegany County Player of the
Year, Allegany County Division I MVP, Expressway Conference MVP
and Scholar-Athlete of the Year, Section V DD All-Tournament
Team and MVP, and Section V Senior All Star.
He led
Fillmore to a 22-1-1 record, a Section V title and the New York
State Class D Semifinals last fall. He led Section V in scoring
with a school and county record 45 goals and 16 assists. He also
holds the Fillmore career goals record with 93 over his
four-year career.
“My recruiting
trails often lead all over the country and world, but in this
case we have found someone with a knack for the goal in our own
backyard,” said Webb. “Jesse will be an immediate contributor to
our program. Physically and technically he is more than capable
to compete at this level, and with his nose for the goal, he
will be a much needed addition to our squad. Jesse is a hard
worker and will only continue to improve as a player during his
years at Houghton.
He is an excellent student and values the same things we
do as a team." ”
He is the son
of Kathleen and Daniel Woolsey.
Farnsworth
has been a key member of the Rochester Junior Rhinos Club
program since 2001, helping his teams to numerous club
tournament championships. His U-14 team was ranked as high as
No. 7 nationally, while his U-15 team won the State Cup and
advanced to the regional tournament. He has been a captain for
his club teams for the past three years and was a member of the
gold medal winning Western Scholastic Team at last year’s Empire
State Games, under the guidance of Coach Paul Cialone.
Farnsworth
tallied 200 goals and 147 assists in his seven seasons at
Henrietta Christian School. He was a five-time team MVP and
Western New York Christian Athletic Association Player of the
Year. He guided Henrietta Christian to seven-straight league
titles and one New York Association of Christian Schools State
Championship.
“Justin will
have an immediate impact on our program. In addition to being
a superior athlete, Justin brings a great deal of experience,
having played in the Junior Rhinos club system, where he
received excellent coaching during the past few years,” said
Webb. “Justin is not only going to be an excellent defensive
presence on the field, but he can also make an impact
offensively as evidenced by his outstanding high school
statistics. His level of fitness, ability on the ball, and
commitment to achieve at a very high level will bring us that
much closer to being nationally competitive. He is also a
dedicated student, and his commitment to grow as a Christian
young man, fits perfectly with what we strive to do as a team.”
He is the son
of Jim and Diane Farnsworth.
Grudda
most recently competed for Lawrence High School in Maine, where
he earned Class A First Team All-State honors and was named
Senior Bowl First Team after tallying 14 goals and seven assists
last fall. He was also named to the Kennebec Valley Athletic
Conference First Team and to the KVAC All-Academic Team.
Grudda’s
playing career began as a freshman at the International
Christian Academy in the Ivory Coast, but he returned to
Lawrence for his sophomore season, tallying seven goals and five
assists and leading his team to the state quarterfinals. He
again played overseas as a junior, scoring three goals and five
assists at Dakar Academy in Senegal, before returning to Maine
for his senior campaign.
“Steve will
immediately challenge for time in the midfield,” said Webb.
“Steve will rate right at the top of all our players with
his technical ability and quickness with the
ball. He will provide a much needed creative presence to our
attack out of the midfield. In addition to Steve's ability on
the field and his potential to raise our standard of play, I am
even more impressed with his maturity as a young man. Steve will
fit in perfectly with what we value as a team - our commitment
to Christ and to sports ministry.”
He is the son
of Dan and Nancy Grudda.
Houghton
finished the 2005 season with a record of 7-11, but had a 6-1
mark in the American Mideast Conference North Division, after
going 7-2 in the final nine games of the regular season.