The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Men's Soccer Signs Seven Players
3/8/2004 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
March 8, 2004
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. ----- UAB men's soccer head coach Mike Getman has announced the signing of seven players to the 2004 recruiting class. Three of the signees are from Alabama, one each from Texas,, Missouri and Arizona, plus one from Bermuda.
"I am very excited about this year's recruiting class," said Getman. "I think we have a great group of players who will help us next season and should make immediate impacts."
Bobby Chanthongphio (Opelika HS), Ryan Hathcock (Auburn HS) and Mark Stachelski (Hoover HS) are the Alabama products, while Shane Elsner (Bowie HS/Grand Prairie, Texas), Maurice Hughes (Yavapai CC/Prescott, Ariz.), Joe Klosterman (Whitfield HS/St. Louis, Mo.) and Logan Alexander (Southampton, Bermuda) make up the remainder of the class.
Hughes earned JUCO All-America honors in 2003 as he helped lead Yavapai CC to their second consecutive national championship, leading his team in scoring.
"Maurice is one of the top forwards in the country," said Getman. "I expect great things from him right away. He has the perfect combination of size, speed and skill, plus, he has a knack for scoring goals."
Chanthongphio was a three-year member of the Alabama Olympic Development Program and a four-year starter for Opelika High School. Hathcock, regarded by many to be the top prospect in Alabama, played at neighboring Auburn High where he was a four-year starter. He was a teammates of Chanthongphio on the Capital City Streaks Club team.
"Both Bobby and Ryan have the chance to be excellent players in our program," said Getman. "I expect them both to be very successful."
Stachelski was a member of Hoover's Alabama state champion team in 2003 and selected to the state high school all-star game. His club team, the Vestavia Steamers, have won consecutive state titles the past three years. The younger brother of former UAB goalkeeper Scott Stachelski, he has also been a member of Alabama ODP team.
Elsner was named his team's offensive player of the year last season at Bowie (Texas) High School where he was a four-year starter. The 6-0, 160-pound Elsner has been a member of the North Texas state team the past three years.
Klosterman helped lead Whitfield High school to a second straight state championship this past season. He was also a member of the Region ODP in 2000 and 2001 and was a five-time member of the Missouri State ODP team.
Alexander, selected as a high school all-star at Saltus Grammar School in Bermuda, was a member of his country's U-17 team as well as the U-20 national team. He played in his first "full" national team game at age 17. Alexander also is an outstanding track and field athlete, running the 800 meters and winning a national championship in 2002.
