Worcester Hydra FC News Release -- www.hydrafc.com
Friday, March 30, 2012
WORCESTER, Mass. -- Worcester Hydra FC has signed five players for its inaugural 2012 season. Ebrima Badgie, Bruno Bonicontro, Michael Soboff, Wilson Teixeira-Mineiro and Paulo Roberto Lopes Da Cunha join a roster that already includes goalkeeper Michael Eade.
Bonicontro, pictured, tallied 12 points on three goals and a team-leading six assists as a sophomore at UMass Lowell in 2011. At Marlborough High School, he was a member of four league championship teams and two district championship teams. As a senior, he was named All-State, All-New England and League MVP.
Badgie, an explosive forward at the University of Minnesota Morris, was named a First Team All-Conference selection in the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference as a sophomore this past fall. He led the Cougars with 15 points on six goals and three assists. A native of Banjul, The Gambia, Badgie attended Quinsigamond Community College in Worcester prior to continuing his education in Minnesota.
Soboff joins the Hydra from Rutgers University, where he redshirted the 2011 season due to injury after transferring from the University of South Florida. A midfielder from Framingham, Mass., he has competed for the the Armenian Under-21 National Team. He led Framingham High School in points as a freshman and South Newton High School in both points and goals in 2006 and 2007.
Teixeira-Mineiro is a former professional Brazilian player, spending time with both the Botafogo and Corinthians clubs. His Botafogo squad won the Brazilian championship in 1995.
Lopes Da Cunha began his playing career in Brazil for the Corinthians Under-13 team in 1997. He has also competed in the Premier Development League for the Seacoast United Phantoms.
“We’re excited to add these five very skilled players to our roster,” said Hydra President Phong Le. “The local players will give our fans something extra special to cheer for.”
The Hydra's season kicks off on Saturday, May 5 against the Seacoast United Phantoms at 7 p.m. at Commerce Bank Field at Foley Stadium. Season tickets are available now at www.HydraFC.com.