Wilmington Hammerheads News Release -- www.wilmingtonhammerheads.com
Monday, August 1, 2011
WILMINGTON, N.C. -- The Wilmington Hammerheads have increased their roster by two as the end of the regular season draws near and playoffs are around the corner. The new additions include former Hammerhead forward and assistant coach Chris Bagley and Matthew Williams, a goalkeeper coming from the USL PDL’s MPS Portland Phoenix.
Originally from Weymouth, Mass., Bagley made his professional debut with the Wilmington Hammerheads in 2002 after a successful collegiate career with St. Anselm College in Goffstown, N.H. In 2003, Bagley moved south to play with the Charleston Battery and eventually returned to play for the Hammerheads from 2004 to 2006. In 2004, Bagley made his MLS debut when he made four appearances with the New England Revolution on loan from the Battery.
In 2007, Bagley signed with the Portland Timbers and remained with them for two seasons before once again returning to the Hammerheads in 2009. Over his Hammerheads career, Bagley made 74 appearances and scored a recorded 25 goals in league action.
Goalkeeper Matthew Williams joins the Hammerheads after finishing up a season in his hometown of Portland, Maine with the MPS Portland Phoenix of the Premier Development League. Williams spent his collegiate career at the University of Cincinnati.
In 2010, Williams started all 19 matches for the Bobcats and recorded nine shutouts in Big East conference play. He was ranked 11th in the nation in goals against average and 13th in save percentage.
With the Hammerheads having lost a few players due to injury this season such as midfielder Alex Grendi and forward Jyler Noviello, these two additions are key in filling out the roster as the Hammerheads are on the road towards the USL PRO playoffs.
“Chris obviously has great experience to bring to the team," Hammerheads head coach David Irving said. "I could see him being a great asset and goal scorer late in a game. As for Matt, we have had a great relationship with the Portland Phoenix and their head coach Paul Baber. We recruited our current players Chris Banks, Chris Spendlove and Paul Nicholson out of Portland and having Matt for the remainder of this season will be a great opportunity to look to him for future seasons.”
Pleasure Island Soccer Association will be Bagley’s “player sponsor” as he is a PISA youth coach. PISA is holding a player meet and greet at Buffalo Wild Wings in Monkey Junction on Thursday, August 4 from 5 p.m.-7 p.m. Tickets to the Hammerheads’ August 5th game against the Los Angles Blues, which is to be televised live on FOX Soccer, will be available for purchase from 5 p.m.-7 p.m. at Buffalo Wild Wings Monkey Junction.