Akins adds six recruits to BC soccer team

July 30, 2008

(Courtesy of Michael Lindsay, Wilson Times)

Barton College men's soccer coach Matt Akins has had one date circled on his calendar for months: Aug. 14.
That's when he gets his first look at his 2008 team and the six newcomers."Last year was a tough season, but since Day 1 of the offseason, I've been looking forward to August 14th," said Akins, in his second year at Barton, said Tuesday by phone. "And I know the boys are ready, too, to erase the memories of last season and are looking forward to new beginnings."

Mitchell Alan Pool, from Wake Forest; Matthew Arnold, from Henderson; William Lynch, from Woodbridge, Va.; and Wilson's own Paxton Barnes lead the regional crop of talent Akins has recruited.

Kieran McGurk and Stephen Main — both from Glasgow, Scotland — add an international touch to this year's team.

"It's a relatively small class," Akins said, "but all of them can contribute from Day 1 — whether in practice or stepping on the field. Hopefully, they help change the culture and begin moving in the right direction."

With all but two players returning from last year's team, the Bulldogs look to break out this year after going 5-13-1 and 1-8-1 in the NCAA Division II Conference Carolinas.

"We have a core group, almost all of the starters are back, and hopefully these guys can push our core group to a higher level," Akins said. "They'll add to our depth and competition on the field."

Barton begins its schedule with three exhibition games, beginning Aug. 20, and opens the regular season at home against Lincoln Memorial on Aug. 30 at 3 p.m.

Mitchell Alan Pool

Defense

Class: Freshman

Hometown: Wake Forest

Height: 6-foot-2

Weight: 160 pounds

Parents: Randy and Janell

High School: Wake Forest-Rolesville

2007 — Team captain; selected Cap 7 All Conference Player; Cap 7 Academic All Conference.
2006 — 3rd Place Cap 7 Conference; 2nd round NCHSAA state playoffs; Cap 7 Academic All Conference.

Club Soccer: 2007-2008 — '89 CASL Premier team captain

Coach Matt Akins' comments: "He's very strong. He has an immediate presence in the air and has the ability to strike the ball with his left and right foot. I believe he'll fit right in and make an immediate impact with the team."

William Lynch

Midfielder

Class: Freshman

Hometown: Woodbridge, Va.

Height: 5-9.

Weight: 155lbs

Parents: Edward and Gina

Current Club: NVSC Jr. Royals coached by John Pascarella

Accolades: NCSL U-19 division 1 champs this past season

Transfer from Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA)

Akins: "He has tremendous technical ability and a lot of stamina. With an extra year of maturity, I believe he will be an asset to the team and fill a void in the outside."

Kieran Mcgurk

Left Midfield / Center Midfield

Hometown: Glasgow, Scotland

Height: 5-9

Weight:155.

Club Team: Townhead Amateurs FC — Scottish Cup Winner (2006), League Championship Winner (2003), League Cup Winner (2003)

High School: Cardinal Newman High School — team captain, received Sporting Excellence Award (2006)

Regional Representation: North Lanarkshire Regional Select Squad — Lanarkshire Regional Cup Winner (2003)

Akins: "We're looking at putting him at forward. He's a young kid with tremendous pace and striking ability. He grew up playing the game, and he has a great attitude and experience to help change the culture of our team."

Stephen Main

Center Midfield

Class: Junior

Hometown: Glasgow, Scotland

Height: 5-9

Weight: 167

Club Team: Thorniewood U-21's FC

Accolades: Played with Leeds United FC Youth team and represented them at the prestigious Tournoi Mondial in France the only Gold Medal event in Europe.

Trial periods at Rangers Football Club, Aberdeen FC, Heart of Midlothian FC.

SFA Youth Initiative - registered SFA player Patrick Thistle FC

Scottish Football Association Indoor Cup winner; Scottish Football Association Schools Cup finalist (2004); Scottish SYFA League runners up (2004); Scottish Amateur League runners up (2006)

Akins: "He's also played his whole life, and with his extra maturity, I feel he should lead the team and help us go forward. He distributes the ball well and strikes well with his left and right foot."

Matthew Arnold

Forward

Class: Freshman

Hometown: Henderson

Height: 6-1

Weight: 170

Parents: Ken and Kim Arnold

High School: Northern Vance, coached by David Hicks (Barton College soccer alum)

Current Club: CASL (United States Developmental Academy team, which finished 8th nationally)

Accolades: Scored 50 goals senior year; Northern Vance's leading goal-scorer with 101; 3-A Mid-State Player of the Year and Dispatch Player of the Year.

Akins: "His experience is some of the highest in the area. He carries a lot of weight and a lot is expected of him. He has a physical presence on the ground and in the air, strikes the ball well and has a natural ability to take on the defense."

Paxton Barnes

Forward

Class: Freshman

Hometown: Wilson (Greenfield)

Height: 5-11

Weight: 150

Parents: Keith and Susan

High School: Greenfield

Club: WYSAA '89 Explosion

Accolades: Named to the N.C. Soccer Coaches Association and NCISAA all-state teams; saluted as the Coastal Plains Independents Conference Player of the Year for the second straight year; led Greenfield with 19 goals as he played both midfield and forward.

Led Greenfield to the N.C. Independent Schools Athletic Association 1-A state championship (2007).

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