Austin Aztex News Release -- www.austinaztex.com
Thursday, April 12, 2012
AUSTIN, Texas -- The Austin Aztex are proud to announce Zack Pope, Ross Kelly, and Mohamed Diallo will join the squad for the 2012 season. Pope and Kelly will bring experience as professional players to the squad.
Pope attended Round Rock Stony Point High School and earned All-American and Nike All-Star Honors. He then played at Duke University and was named a Freshman All-American as he helped the Blue Devils advance to the NCAA Final Four. Coach Paul Dalglish anticipates Pope will play outside midfield during the season.
Pope serves as assistant men’s soccer coach at Southwestern University in Georgetown. In 2009, Pope appeared in seven games for the Austin Aztex USL First Division team.
Kelly is a former Aztex PDL player who graduated from Coastal Carolina University in 2011. The tall defender also spent the 2011 season abroad, playing for GBK Kokkola in Finland.
Diallo is a player who caught the coaches’ eyes when he stood out during the first tryout held on March 10. Diallo currently plays for Concordia University in Austin where he finished his sophomore campaign with 11 goals and four assists in 14 games.
The Austin Aztex will play their 2012 season in the United Soccer League’s PDL Mid South Division. Their season kicks off on May 5 versus the Texas Dutch Lions at WoodForest Stadium in Woodlands, Texas. The Aztex will host their home opener on Saturday, May 19 at 7:30 p.m. at House Park against the El Paso Patriots.