Harrisburg City Islanders News Release -- www.cityislanders.com
Friday, April 5, 2013
HARRISBURG, Pa. -- The Harrisburg City Islanders are pleased to announce the return of four players for the upcoming USL PRO season. Standout goalkeeper Nick Noble and forward Sainey Touray will be joined by the versatile Andrew Welker and defender Colin Zizzi.
Noble didn’t take long to make an impression in Harrisburg, finishing his first season with the Islanders with an impressive 9-7-7 record. Noble started all 24 regular-season games and posted eight shutouts, finishing with a 1.273 GAA. Noble was nominated for the USL Goalkeeper of the Year award. Coach Bill Becher called him one of the best goalkeepers that the club has ever seen. Entering his second season with the Islanders, Noble hopes to build off his productive 2012 campaign.
“It was important for us to get Nick back for the 2013 season," said Becher. "It is very crucial in this league to have a top goalkeeper, and with Nick we feel we do.”
After spending a good portion of his career in the MLS, where he was drafted by the Chicago Fire in the first round of the MLS Supplemental Draft in 2007, Noble made his professional debut for the Fire in the 2008 U.S. Open Cup. Noble made a handful of appearances for the Austin Aztex in 2009 before heading to Sweden to join Ljungskile SK, where he spent the 2010-11 seasons. Noble made 59 appearances for the club over the course of the two seasons, before returning to MLS and signing a contract with the LA Galaxy at the end of 2011.
Noble also had a strong collegiate career at West Virginia University, where he was a four-year starter. He was named Big East Goalkeeper of the Year in 2006.
Touray returns after a successful 2012 campaign, appearing in 18 games in what was his second season with the Islanders. He registered two goals and four assists and is looking to continue to be a force on the Islander’s frontline.
Touray made quite an impression in 2011, his first full season with Harrisburg. The forward finished second on the team with 20 points and third with seven goals, many of which helped him capture people’s attention with his elaborate celebrations. He finished tops on the team with six assists, while logging 1,161 minutes. He also made a brief appearance with the team in 2010 on loan from the Carolina RailHawks.
The 22-year old began his professional career at the age of 13, signing with Tallinding United of the Gambian Second Division. He made appearances on both Gambia’s U-17 and U-20 National Teams and also gained valuable experience in 2008 during a brief stint with the New York Red Bulls.
“Sainey dealt with many injuries last season and his numbers went down, but he is healthy again and ready to get back to his 2011 form,” said Becher. “He has looked sharp so far this preseason and I expect him to score goals for us.”
Returning for his third year with Harrisburg, Welker has proved to be a critical piece of the team’s line-up. Seeing action in 11 games and logging 1,040 minutes, Welker was able to post one goal. During the 2011 season, Welker finished as the team’s second-leading scorer. He appeared in 23 games for the team, logging 1,565 minutes. He finished with eight goals and 16 points. He received USL PRO Team of the Week honors three times, including being named Player of the Week twice.
The versatile Welker played forward, defender, and midfielder during his time at Seton Hall (2007-10). He appeared in 64 games (59 starts) for the Pirates, totaling 15 goals and 36 points. He was a Third Team All-BIG EAST and All-District First Team selection in 2009 after leading his team in scoring with eight goals and three assists. The local product was a three-year letter winner at Cumberland Valley High School, where in 2006 he was named the Mid-Penn Commonwealth Division Player of the Year and was an All-State selection (Pennsylvania Soccer Coaches Association) and All-Region II pick (NSCAA). He was a member of the Eastern Pennsylvania ODP from 2002-2006.
“Things didn't go as well for him last year as he also battled through a lot of injuries," said Becher of Welker. "I know he is ready for the coming year to prove that he is back in top form.”
Zizzi returns to the Islanders for his second year after an impressive rookie campaign. Zizzi was a strong force in the Islanders defense last season, appearing in 12 games, totaling 687 minutes. He also recorded one assist. After a standout four-year collegiate career at American University, the Carlisle native was named to the Patriot League Academic Honor Roll all four years and was named the team’s most valuable player for his senior season. He was also selected to the Patriot League All-Tournament Team his final season, where he started all 19 games.
“Colin did a great job for us in his rookie year playing a couple of different positions," said Becher. "He brings energy and work rate to training every day and is showing us that he wants to be in the lineup.”
Prior to his time with the Eagles, Zizzi had a highly-decorated senior season at Carlisle High School. He tallied 44 points (13goals) that season, which earned him Mid-Penn Commonwealth Division Player of the Year recognition and all-state and regional All-American recognition.
Training camp continues this week with the last two of six preseason matches occurs. Thursday, April 4 the Isle faces Villanova at 7:30 pm at In the Net, Palmyra. They end the preseason matches on the road on Friday night at 5 p.m. against the University Of Maryland Terrapins. The Islanders' 10th Anniversary season kicks off at Pittsburgh on Saturday, April 13 and the home opener is scheduled for Saturday, April 27, 2013 at 7 p.m. against the Rochester Rhinos. For more information about the Harrisburg City Islanders visit the website at cityislanders.com or phone 717-441-4625.