SC United FC Bantams News Release -- www.palmettobantamsfc.com
Friday, April 5, 2013
PALMETTO, S.C. -- The SC United FC Bantams have announced the return of six players from the 2012 season. Ryan Freiberger, Braeden Troyer, Robert Beebe, Ryan Hurst, Thomas Valikonis and Hunter Riddle all contributed many minutes in the successful inaugural season.
“We have a strong nucleus returning which, in our league, helps tremendously," said new coach Gary Winchester. "With the addition of our new players, we are excited about the 2013 season. Their understanding of our vision makes it easier as coaches to implement our tactics.”
Returning players from the University of South Carolina include Freiburger, a defender and midfielder who played in all 16 PDL games and scored the first goal of the 2012 season, along with teammate and college All-American Braeden Troyer, a central midfielder who is a work-horse on the field.
Beebe returns to man the Bantams’ goal for a second season, with the rising sophomore from South Carolina and 2011 South Carolina Gatorade’s High School Player of the Year bringing the experience the club will need. Also returning is Hurst, one of the fastest players in the PDL. A junior at Wofford College, Hurst is a midfielder/striker who is a threat to defenses when he steps on the field.
Returning to lead the Bantams' defense is Georgia Southern’s Valikonis, a player with toughness and a great leadership on and off the field. And returning in the midfield is Greenwood native Riddle, who played two years at North Greenville University before transferring to Winthrop University. He is a versatile player who played central midfield for the Bantams as well as out wide in 15 PDL games last season.
All six of these players earned All-State High School honors and each played their club soccer in South Carolina. Their leadership and PDL experience will be vital to the team throughout the 2013 season.
“The excitement is beginning to grow around this season’s team," Winchester said. "We have the great returning group that brings experience and understanding of the franchise in the PDL. The organization’s inaugural season was shared by these players, so as coach, I’ll challenge them to further develop the SCUFC Bantams organization on and off the field again this year; a challenge they will enjoy.”