Ottawa Fury News Release -- www.ottawafury.com
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
OTTAWA, Ontario -- With Stephen O'Kane back at the helm of the top men's team in Ottawa the most obvious place to find talent was in his own back yard. An ever-growing hotbed of soccer talent coach O'Kane need not look much further than some of Ottawa's top young talent who have also made names for themselves at the collegiate level.
Returning to the Fury for 2012 are Carleton University standouts Peter Manginas and Joey Kewin along with Fury Youth Academy graduate and starting goalkeeper at Sacred Heart University Alex Fait. Joining this trio of returnee's is 2011 CIS Player of the Year who led the nation in scoring Robbie Murphy and the nation's top scorer in the CCAA Jose Bruno Mota.
Manginas and Kewin are both key weapons in Sandy Mackie's arsenal at Carleton University and last year proved that they can also compete at the PDL ranks.
"Peter is a leader and a solid combative midfielder," said head coach Stephen O'Kane. "Peter brings us a lot of experience not only in the PDL from last year, but he has been a massive part of the Carleton soccer team for the last four years and it is no coincidence that they've been extremely successful in that time - Peter is a winner."
Manginas was a key component in the Fury's defensive midfield shape appearing in 11 games last season and this past fall the Belleville, Ontario native was an OUA All-Star while captaining the Carleton Ravens to an 11-3-0 season and a fourth-place ranking in the country.
Kewin appeared in eight games for the Fury in 2011 and his physical presence out wide was noticed and effective and he chipped in with two goals and five points in his inaugural PDL season.
"Joey is another player I've had my eye on for years and I'm really happy to finally have the opportunity to coach him," said O'Kane. "Joey is another attacking player with pace and creativity in abundance. He showed his quality last year with the PDL and has shown even brighter with Carleton."
An All-Canadian with the Ravens in 2011, the London, Ontario native not only boasts a physical presence to his game, but an impressive left foot and will be a player the coach O'Kane says will be "a handful to deal with" this season.
Also returning to the Fury is Fait, who is no stranger to the PDL either. Fait has been part of the club's PDL goalkeeping tandem for the past three seasons serving as the starter for the PDL Reserves, but will look to make a jump this season after impressing in three games last year earning a record of 1-0-2 including a shutout.
"I have coached Alex for a long time and he has progressed into a top keeper with plenty of experience at the highest NCAA D1 level," said his long-time coach. "He works very hard, he is extremely agile, he commands his area and he is a winner."
Fait's resume at the NCAA level speaks for itself; a career 27-16-7 record with 18 shutouts including eight in his senior season (2011) that saw him nab All-Conference honours.
"What sets him apart is the success that he has brought to the team with them winning their conference," said O'Kane. "It is just another example of his passion to win."
New to the Fury this season are two strikers, Murphy and Mota, that led their respective leagues in scoring in 2011. Murphy, who was part of the Fury's PDL roster in 2010, is coming off an impressive collegiate season where he was named CIS Player of the Year, led the country in scoring and was named a CIS All-Canadian. The Ottawa, Ontario native also suited up for Canada at the World University Games prior to the CIS season.
"Robbie is a vastly experienced and decorated player," said O'Kane. "He is a finisher and has helped make the program at Guelph University into one of the best in the country. Robbie is an exciting signing who we expect big things from."
Another player that will look to help supply the Fury with offence in 2012 is Guatemala City native Mota. One of the top players in the OCAA for the past several seasons, Mota helped La Cite Collegiale to a 5-0-2 season in 2011 scoring over fifty percent of the teams goals and leading the country in scoring with 13. Like Murphy, he was also named All-Canadian following another brilliant OCAA season.
"Bruno is a player I've admired for a long time," said Coach O'Kane. "I've coached and played against him and I am happy to finally be with him than against him. Bruno is a dynamic, quick forward who can both score and create goals and what he has done for La Cite's program is amazing and speaks volumes of the caliber of player he is."
Ottawa kicks off the 2012 PDL season in New Hampshire on May 26th and will host PDL newcomers Boston Victory on June 2nd in their home opener at the Algonquin College Soccer Complex. 2012 Season Tickets are on sale now at www.ottawafury.com and fans can save up to 50% off with early bird pricing until May 1st.