The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Getman Adds Pair To Spring Signing List
4/7/2005 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
April 7, 2005
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Carlo Schiavoni, a member of the Canadian U-20 National Team, and Jonah Stewart, a standout midfielder for Vestavia Hills High School, have signed National Letters of Intent to play college soccer at UAB, Blazer head men's soccer coach Mike Getman announced Thursday.
The duo join Alandus Brooks (5-10, 140, Defender, Jackson, Miss.), Two-Boys Gumede (5-9, 145, Forward, Louisville, Ky.), Trey Gregory (6-2, 175, Midfielder, Birmingham, Ala.), Andrew Riley (5-11, 160, Midfielder, Birmingham, Ala.) and Derek Rios (5-10, 160, Midfielder, Etobicoke, Ontario, Canada) as 2005 signees for the Blazers.
Schiavoni, a 5-10, 160-pound midfielder from Lachine, Quebec, Canada, joins Rios as Canadian U-20 National Team members in the 2005 signing class for Getman. He is a veteran world player with eight career international caps. He helped Canada qualify for the U-20 World Cup with a 1-0 victory over Honduras on Jan. 28. He appeared in two games at the CONCACAF U-20 qualifying tournament in January of this year as well.
"Carlo is one of the most talented players to come out of Canada in this class," Getman said. "I expect him to battle for a starting position right away. He is the kind of player who will definitely make us a better team."
Stewart, a 6-1, 170-pound forward and midfielder from Birmingham and Vestavia Hills High School led the Vestavia Hills Soccer Club team to a state championship last year. He is currently a standout for Vestavia Hills High School which is ranked in the state's top five in the most recent AHSAA Coaches Poll. Stewart was an honorable mention all-state selection by the Birmingham News during his junior season. He helped the Rebels to an Alabama Class 6A state championship game appearance and state runners-up finish last year. Stewart was also selected to participate in the 2004 Alabama State High School All-Star Soccer Game, where he recorded a shot-on-goal in the contest in a 0-0 tie.
"Jonah's speed and skill will help our team," Getman said, "He should battle for playing time right away. He is a local product who has the potential to be a big time college player."
Getman said he expects to sign as many as two more players in the spring signing period. All but three letterwinners will return for UAB in the 2005 season. The Blazers were 12-7 overall in 2004 and were runners-up in both the Conference USA regular season and tournament.
