Richmond Kickers News Release -- www.richmondkickers.com
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
RICHMOND, Va. – The Richmond Kickers are pleased to announce that midfielder Ryan Heins has re-signed for the 2012 season, pending USSF approval. Heins returns to Richmond after making 28 appearances in 2011, en route to the USL PRO and U.S. Open Cup Semifinals.
“Ryan is another important addition as we head into our 20th anniversary season,” said Leigh Cowlishaw, Richmond Kickers Head Coach and Director of Soccer. “He is a versatile individual who showed his quality by starting in several different positions last year. As our squad is now close to being finalized, we expect one or two more major announcements. Then, our focus shifts to our upcoming tryouts to hopefully unearth one or two more future stars.”
Signing with the Kickers prior to the 2011 season, Heins quickly made his way onto the lineup, starting all but one game played and posting over 2,000 minutes in a Kickers uniform. With four goals and two assists on the season, he finished the 2011 campaign fifth on the team in scoring with 10 points and earned USL PRO Team of the Week honors following the Kickers 2-0 win in Wilmington, during which he contributed a goal and an assist. Equally as influential on the Kickers backline, his defensive efforts also contributed to 11 shutouts on the season.
Originally from Medford, NJ, the 6-foot-1 midfielder was the first selection for the Philadelphia KiXX in the MISL’s expansion draft in 2007. Making his USL debut in 2008 with USL PRO rival Harrisburg City Islanders, Heins led the team with seven goals and one assist in 17 appearances. He concluded the 2008 season on loan with the Rochester Rhinos, making 51 appearances with the USL First Division/USSF Division II side over two seasons.
A four-year starter at Temple University, Heins notched seven career goals and 11 assists and capped his collegiate career by earning All-Atlantic 10 Second Team honors his senior season.