Western Mass Pioneers News Release -- www.wmpioneers.com
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
LUDLOW, Mass. – As the Western Mass Pioneers head into their 14th season, signing players is a number one priority. Two notable returning players from last year's squad are Ryan Malone (Springfield College) and Trey Jasenski (Binghampton University). Also, new comer Jordan Branco from Southern New Hampshire University brings many accolades and great talent to the team.
Malone has made an immediate impact with the Pioneers last season, as his ability to score goals is unmatched. His direct style of play causes problems for opposing defenses. Malone, who hails from Chicopee, Mass., was a freshman in 2010 at Springfield College. In his first year, he received Rookie of the Year from the New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC). He also was named second team all-conference. An impact player, he scored nine times, ranking second in conference in goals. He also was responsible for five game-winning goals in 2010, the most in the league. Malone helped the 2011 Springfield Pride reach the NCAA Division III Championships for the first time since 1999. Hampered with injuries over the last year, Malone is looking to get back to his form from two years ago.
Jasenski has been a defensive rock for the Pioneers in 2011. In his 2011 junior year at Binghampton University, Jasenski was named to the 2011 America East All-Conference squad, as voted upon by the conference's coaches. In his second year as a starting back, Jasenski started in 16 games and helped the defense record a pair of shutouts.
Branco, who also plays for the Southern New Hampshire University men's soccer team, has been named to the 2011 Capital One Academic All-America Men's Soccer Team as a Second Team selection. Branco, a Business Administration major with a 3.79 GPA, was recently a Northeast-10 Third Team All-Conference selection. He ranked second for Southern New Hampshire with 10 goals and six assists for 26 points and has recorded multiple points on six occasions, including tallying a goal and an assist in SNHU's 2-0 win over C.W. Post in the second round of the NCAA Tournament on November 13. The Penmen advanced to the Northeast-10 championship game for the first time since 2008 and reached the NCAA Division II quarterfinals for the ninth time in program history and second time in three seasons.
“We have a great start to the 2012 team with the commitments of these three players,” said first-year coach Federico Molinari. “They performed well in tryouts and have set the bar high for the rest of the players trying to make the team.”
The Western Mass Pioneers season opener is Friday, May 11th, 7:30 p.m. at Lusitano Stadium against the Seacoast United Phantoms, sponsored by Big Y World Class Markets.
In addition to the home opener, the Pioneers will be hosting a Fan Appreciation and Media Day against the Milford Lusitano Club on Sunday, May 6th at 3 p.m. at Lusitano Stadium. There will be free admission as a Thank You to all the supporters and fans of the club. Also, this gives the Media an opportunity to meet with the players and receive one-on-one time.
The Western Mass Pioneers are an amateur men’s soccer team that plays in the Premier Development League, a division of United Soccer Leagues. USL is the largest collection of professional and amateur soccer leagues in the United States. The Pioneers play in Ludlow, Mass. at Lusitano Stadium, an intimate European-style soccer-specific stadium. The team was founded in 1997 and began playing in 1998. In 1999, the Pioneers won the USL D-3 Pro League championship.
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For more information about this release, please contact the Pioneers office at 413-583-4814 or via email at info@wmpioneers.com.