HOME | ACADEMICS | ADMISSION | SPIRITUAL LIFE | CALENDAR | LIBRARY | SPORTS | GIVING | EMPLOYMENT | WEB MAIL



News

Teams

Facilities

Hall of Honor

Highlander Sports
Associates

Camps

Affiliations

Athletic Training

Staff Directory

Prospective
Athlete Form

 

Champions

of Character

Sports Ministry

Beyond Competition

Intramurals

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- April 18, 2007
CONTACT: Glyn Turner 585,567,9648             

                  Men's Soccer Sign Two More

 

Houghton, NY- Matthew Thompson (Spotsylvania, VA/ Fredericksburg Christian) & Alex Merrill (Benton, ME/ Calvary Chapel Christian) have signed national letter's of intent to play soccer at Houghton College, Highlander coach Matt Webb announced today.

 

Matthew Thompson (Spotsylvania, VA/ Fredericksburg Christian)comes to the Highlanders finishing a solid high school and club soccer career as a top goalkeeper in the state of Virginia. Thompson possesses a 6'4" frame bringing an immediate presence into the box for the Highlanders.

 

Matthew is a two-time letter winner from FCS and was named in 2005 as a Delaney Athletic Conference Honorable Selection and in 2006 selected 1st Team All-Capital Athletic Conference. During his club soccer career his Stafford Strikers reached the State Cup Elite Eight in 2004. Transferring to PWSI Magnum in 2005, his club won the State Cup in 2005 and where runner-up in the State Cup in 2006. In 2006-07 PWSI Magnum was ranked #1 in the state of Virginia and nationally #27 in the U.S.A.

 

"Matt has played at a very good club level and will provide needed backup at our GK position," stated Highlander Coach Matt Webb. "At 6'4" he has the frame to be a presence in the goal.  Matt is a hard worker and determined trainer.  With diligent work over the next couple years Matt has potential as a GK for our program.  I am excited to add Matt to our team as he will be a great fit for our program."

Matthew is the Son of Gary and Renae Thompson.

Alex Merrill (Benton, ME/ Calvary Chapel Christian)

comes to the Highlanders as a three-time letter winner from CCCS. Merrill lead his #3 squad in the state of Maine to a 13-4 record in 2006.

 

Merrill was named Gatorade Rookie of the Year in 2004 at Lawrence High School and to the 2006 Maine All-State Team.

 

"Alex Merrill is another great fit for our program and will provide depth to our team as a defender," said Highlander Coach Matt Webb. "Alex has good size and is a technically sound player who with continued development should progress into a player that will help our team."

 

Alex is the Son of Ron & Wendy Merrill.

 

About Houghton College Men's Soccer

Houghton finished the 2006 season reaching the NAIA Region IX Final Four for the 1st time under Highlander Coach Matt Webb. Eventually falling to the NAIA Region IX Champions and Nationally Ranked #2 Rio Grande University 3-0. The Highlanders finished with a 6-10-3 overall record going 3-1-1 in AMC North Division Conference play.

 

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.