FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- February 15, 2007
CONTACT: Glyn Turner Sports Information Director (585) 567-964
MEN’S
SOCCER SIGNS THREE FOR 2007
HOUGHTON,
N.Y.
– Houghton College men’s soccer coach Matthew Webb has announced
the addition of three players to his roster for 2007.
Chris Davis (Cedar
Park, Texas/ Earl of March), Austin Beck (High
Point, N.C. / Montreat College/ Wesleyan Christian Academy ) and
Luke Sanford (High Point, N.C. / Wesleyan Christian Academy) have each signed letters of
intent to continue their soccer careers as Houghton Highlanders.
 Davis
achieved great success in 2006 and 2005 leading his Earl of
March High School to 1st place in the City of Ottawa league and
ranked 4th overall in the City of Ottawa, two years running. For
his Ottawa Fury Club team Davis placed 4th in the USL Super Y
League North East and reached the Semi-Finals in USL "Score at
the Shore" showcase tournament in Ottawa, Ontario.
Davis recorded 10 goals, 6 assists in 8 games in 2006 earning
honors for Most Valuable Player in 2004 on the Earl of March
Senior Soccer team... was named Center Mid-Fielder for his Ottawa
Fury U-17 Boys Club, Ottawa, Ontario... and won the Ontario Regional
Soccer Competition in 2004 for his Kanata Lighting Soccer Club,
Kanata, Ontario.
Davis will reinforce an improving Highlander defense for the
2007 season.
"We are excited to add Chris to
our squad. Chris is a very athletic and strong defender and will
provide much needed depth in the back. Chris will bring a
physical presence to the game that will be hard to match. His
desire to grow athletically, academically and spiritually will
make for a very good fit for Chris at Houghton."
Chris is the son of Jerry and Rene
Davis.
 Beck
is transferring from Montreat College, N.C. recording 13
goals, 11 assists and starting all 42 games over two seasons for
the Cavaliers. Beck was selected 3rd Team All-AAC Conference his
freshmen year.
In high school Beck recorded 39
goals and 24 assists in his career helping Wesleyan Christian
Academy reach the North Carolina State Finals (2004) his senior
year with a 20-3-4 overall record. Beck led his team with 19
goals and 14 assists his senior year receiving team MVP honors
and being selected; 1st Team All-State, 1st Team All-Region, 1st
Team PACIS All-Conference, 2nd Team All-Area, and PACIS Player
of the Year.
"Austin Beck joins our squad this
spring with two years of eligibility remaining. His pace as an
attacker will provide an aspect to our game that we have not had
in a few years. Austin will complement our system of play with
his high work rate and ability to get in behind the defense with
his speed. He has a knack for finding the goal and should
provide a much needed scoring presence to our team. Austin will
also be an excellent fit for our program as a young man
committed to excellence and growing in the Lord."
Austin is the son of Jim and Jane
Beck.
 Sanford
comes to the Highlanders recording 18 goals and 21 assists on
his career from Wesleyan Christian Academy, NC. As a Captain his
senior year he was selected North Carolina 1st Team All-State,
1st Team All-PACIS, 2nd Team All Region leading his high school
team to a 20-3-4 overall record reaching the State Finals.
Sanford was also a member of the
Piedmont Soccer Association Premier team reaching the North
Carolina State Cup Final Four in 2005...
"Luke Sanford
has also transferred in this spring with three years of
eligibility remaining. Luke and Austin both join Rhett Kenny
(current player) hailing originally from Wesleyan Academy in
North Carolina. Wesleyan Academy regularly produces strong
soccer players and Luke and Austin are no exception. Luke will
provide depth both in the midfield and up front as a good
possessional player who sees the field well. We are excited to
add Luke to the mix and are excited about the natural fit he is
for our program."
Luke is the
son of David and Lola Sanford.
Houghton College
has deep
and
solid
roots in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics, where our
teams use their commitment to excellence, both on the field-of-play
and
in the classroom, as a platform for their strong and
unique emphasis on Sports Ministry. Their goal is to make a difference
for the Kingdom
on campus, in Allegany County,
in the Northeast and
around
the world.
Houghton is one of only 13 institutions who have been hand-selected
by the NAIA to serve as "Champions of Character" Program Centers, opening the door
for Houghton to be a leader,
both in the Northeast and
nationally, in character education.
Through hands-on,
innovative community outreach initiatives, Houghton coaches and
student-athletes
are working together to change the culture of sport and
to change our culture through sport.
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