The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Men's Soccer Signs Six During 2009 Signing Period
2/25/2009 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Feb. 25, 2009
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - UAB head coach Mike Getman announced the signing of six new members of the Blazer men's soccer program, announced on Wednesday.
Of the six signees, three are from Alabama, while two others are transfer students from major soccer programs. Getman feels this class not only meets all the needs for next year's team, but also plans on this group taking the UAB soccer program to the next level.
"This recruiting class will make an immediate impact on our team," Getman said. "I expect many of these young men to earn starting positions right away. We have improved our team up front and in the back. I am very pleased with this group of young men."
The three local products consist of forward/defender Reed Matte (Birmingham, Ala./John Carroll HS), defender Hudson Jetton (Birmingham, Ala./Spain Park HS) and defender Bart Markel (Enterprise, Ala./Auburn-Montgomery).
Additionally, UAB signed two players from Georgia in forward Kofi Gyawu (Atlanta, Ga./Parkview HS) and forward/midfielder Matt Nagler (Marietta, Ga./St. Francis HS), while midfielder/defender Victor Sambade (Univesidade da Coruma/A Coruna, Spain) will travel from Spain to compete for the Blazers in 2009.
Below is a breakdown of this year's UAB men's soccer signees, as well as a quote from Getman on each signee:
Kofi Gyawu, Forward, 6-3, 186
Atlanta, Ga. (Parkview HS)
Played at Parkview HS under head coach Michael Tolmich ... was chosen as the Gwinnett County Player of the Year in 2008 ... led squad to 2008 Georgia state championship ... captain of 2009 team ... second leading scorer in Parkview school history with 45 goals through his junior year ... played club soccer at Norcross Fury 91 under head coach Tony Annan ... led team to a pair of championships in 2008 (Score of the Shore and Region III Premier League).
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Coach Getman on Gyawu: "Kofi has all the qualities we look for. He is a great athlete, a very good student and a person we will be proud to have at UAB. I expect him to compete for a starting position right away. I think he is one of the top young forwards in the country."
Matt Nagler, Forward/Midfielder, 5-9, 150
Atlanta, Ga. (St. Francis HS)
Three-year letterwinner at St. Francis HS under head coach Neil Bloom ... was chosen as the 2008 team's most valuable player ... led squad with 20 goals, 11 assists and 51 points during his junior season ... has been the team's leading scorer in each of his three seasons at St. Francis, tallying 58 goals and 25 assists through his junior season ... played club soccer for the NASA '09 Elite under head coach Todd Gispert ... helped team to the Under 17 and Under 18 GYSA championships ... also led team to the 2007 Shootout Bracket title ... chosen to USL National Team Pool.
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Coach Getman on Nagler: "Matt is a very quick and dangerous player. He has the ability to score goals in bunches. I am very pleased that Matt has chosen to join our program."
Reed Matte, Forward/Defender, 6-1, 170
Birmingham, Ala. (John Carroll HS)
Currently plays at John Carroll HS under head coach David DiPiazza ... was tabbed by the Birmingham News to the 2008 All-State team ... also selected to the 2008 All-Metro squad ... has tallied 71 goals and 43 assists during his three seasons at JCHS ... helped lead team to a pair of state championships in 2008 and 2006 ... played club soccer under Luke Whittle with the Vestavia Hills Soccer Club '90 ... was the team captain of his club team ... led team to 2009 state championship ... is the son of former UAB soccer player Frank Matte.
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Coach Getman on Matte: "Reed is big, athletic, and very smart. He will compete for playing time at several positions. It is also exciting to have the son of a former Blazer."
Hudson Jetton, Defender, 6-5, 195
Birmingham, Ala. (Spain Park HS)
A three-year letterwinner at Spain Park HS under head coach Joe Carter ... a member of the 2008 all-state and all-metro team ... led team to state championship game in 2008 ... selected to the all-tournament team during team's playoff run ... was named team captain ... plays club soccer for the Birmingham United Soccer Association (BUSA) under coaches Robert Starr and Eric Dade ... helped lead U-18 BUSA two a pair of state championships ... was an Alabama Olympic Development Player (ODP).
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Coach Getman on Jetton: "Hudson has the size and speed to become one of the top defenders in the nation. He has been very well coached and I expect him to help us right away."
Victor Sambade, Midfielder/Defender, 6-1, 170
A Coruna, Spain (Universidade da Coruna)
Transfer student who played at the Univesidade da Coruna where he was majoring in business ... was a member of the Under-16 Spanish National Team ... was the team captain of the Deportivo de La Coruna Youth Team ... named Most Valuable Player of Ciudad de La Coruna International Tournament.
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Coach Getman on Sambade: "Victor is the complete package. He is big, athletic, and very smart. He comes from a background of intense training every day. I expect him to become a leader in this team right away."
Bart Markel, Defender, 6-1, 170
Enterprise, Ala. (Auburn University-Montgomery)
Transfer student who played at Auburn University-Montgomery ... was a two-year starter for the NAIA soccer powerhouse ... was a member of the 2007 AUM team that reached the NAIA Final Four ... tabbed as an all-conference player in 2008 ... played club soccer at the Capital City Streaks ... also an Alabama Olympic Development Player (ODP).
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Coach Getman on Markel: "Bart brings three years of college experience to us and I expect him to compete for a starting position right away. He has size, speed, skill, and smarts. He makes us better in the back right away."
