GPS Portland Phoenix -- www.mainepremiersoccer.com
Sunday, April 1, 2012
PORTLAND, Maine – The GPS Portland Phoenix are excited to announce the signing of have signed five 2011 All-Americans, with Joel Thiessen, Neil Harris, Eric Anderson, Seamus Sharkey and Rory Kennedy all joining the club, pending USL and USSF approval. The Phoenix will play their first regular season game on Saturday, May 12 against the Vermont Voltage, with kickoff set for 6 p.m. at Deering High School, Portland.
The Phoenix have retained the services of set-play general Theissen for the upcoming campaign. The Phoenix are enthused to have Thiessen back in the fold this season and recognize his Collegiate achievements. Thiessen was named to the NAIA All-American First Team, whilst his teammate at Rio Grande, senior defender Harris, earned Second Team honors.
Anderson, of Babson College, was also named in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Division III All-America Team for the second successive season. Sharkey, of Munroe Community College, was named a First Team All-American by the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA). Also worthy of recognition is Kennedy, who was named to the All-Canadian XI Team for Saint Mary’s University.
Thiessen, from Newcastle, Australia, ranked second in the MSC and fourth in the country with 16 assists. His 12 goals ranked sixth in the MSC and his 40 points were good enough for third in the league and a tie for 16th nationally. Thiessen finished his Red Storm career with 21 goals, 25 assists and 67 points in 64 games.
"Joel was with us for three years and the big thing about him is the presence he brings to the field," said Rio Grande Head Coach Scott Morrissey. "He’s a good, hard-nosed player and a great deliverer of a dead ball. So many coaches talk about what a weapon he is just because of that and he scored a lot of goals off of direct kicks. It’s a nice piece of recognition for him closing out his career."
Harris, from Lancashire, England, had four goals and four assists this season, and was the recipient of some overdue accolades in the eyes of his coach.
"I told Neil this came a year late because he should’ve been an All-American last year as a junior," Morrissey said. "Neil’s a good central defender with a really good presence. He’s been a great four-year player for us. He was, by far, one of our top players last year and he was again this season. He didn’t get the recognition a year ago, but it finally came this time around. I think he was good enough to be a first-teamer but, apparently, some other coaches - the ones on the committee - didn’t agree with me. I’m pleased he got what he did, though."
Anderson, from Scituate, Mass., was named a First Team All-American for the second consecutive season. Anderson becomes just the ninth player in program history to earn multiple All-America honors in his career. The junior forward earned his second consecutive NEWMAC Athlete of the Year award and his third straight NSCAA All-New England First Team selection after leading the league with 15 goals and five assists for 35 points this fall. With one season left to play, he already boasts career totals of 41 goals and 24 assists for 107 points.
Sharkey, from Newtown, Ireland, is a 6-foot-2, 190-pound freshman defender, and he helped lead the Tribunes to a 13-4-1 record and a Region III, Division I title. He finished the season with eight goals, three assists, and 19 points.
"It is great news for the club to have recaptured Joel and add players of this caliber. Anderson, Harries, Kennedy, Sharkey and Thiessen are all players with a collegiate reputation and are players we are excited to bring to the Club" said GPS Portland Phoenix Head Coach Paul Baber. "With these new additions, we are also looking forward to announce further signings over the next few weeks, that will strengthen the Phoenix for this campaign. Preparations are well under way for the upcoming season. Phoenix fans, friends and families - keep an eye out for further announcements and PDL updates."