Cirillo announces six signees for men’s soccer

Head coach Kiley Cirillo today announced the addition of six new players for the 2004 edition of the Missouri Southern State University men’s soccer program.

“I’m very happy thus far with the new recruiting class,” Cirillo said. “I feel like they all can come in and have a chance to make a difference right away.”

Cirillo, who anticipates more signings in the near future, has added four midfielders, a forward and a goalkeeper for the 2004 season.

The following is a look at the 2004 signees, with comments from Cirillo, thus far for the men’s soccer program:

Josh Blackman, 5-11, 150, Goalkeeper, Kirksville, Mo. (Kirksville HS)

A second-team all-state pick and a two-time first-team all-district performer ... holds school records for most saves in a game and most wins in team history ... a three-year starter and a four-year letterman ... also a two-time all-conference pick.

“Josh has great technique. He has good, soft hands and great ability to make the save.”

Ebrima Colley, 6-0, 150, Midfielder, Gambia (Crowder College)

“He can come in and bring some international talent to us. I think he’ll be able to give us some good minutes when he gets comfortable. Ebrima will be a freshman for us, since Crowder just has a club team.”

Brett Kohler, 6-0, 175, Midfielder, Waterloo, Ill. (Gibault Catholic HS)

A four-year letterwinner and a two-year starter for the Hawks of coach Jim Corsi ... selected to the 2003 IHSA All-Sectional Team and the Illinois Mid-State Elite Eight All-Classic Tournament Team ... helped team to three consecutive sectional titles as well as third (2002) and fourth-place (2003) finishes in Class A.

“Brett sees the field really well. He has an opportunity to come in and give us some good minutes right away.”

Alain Njoume, 5-11, 160, Forward, Yaounde, Litoral, Cameroon (Crowder College)

“Alain has a good knack for scoring goals; he can find the opportunity to put the ball in the back of the net. He’s another freshman and should give us a good presence in the final third of the field.”

Neil Stoessel, 6-4, 185, Midfielder, Papillion, Neb. (Platteview HS)

Named to the Class B all-state team as a junior in 2003, Stoessel’s senior season is upcoming ... he’s a three-year starter and was also named to all-metro and all-conference teams as a junior under coach Scott Jensen ... a three-year team captain ... finished eighth in the state last year in points (goals and assists).

“He has great distribution of the ball and, with his size, he’ll be a big presence to contend with. He has an opportunity to make a difference.”

Drew Whitworth, 5-9, 155, Midfielder, Webb City, Mo. (Webb City HS)

Attended Southwest Missouri State University after high school graduation in 2003. Will be a freshman for the Lions.

“Drew is a competitor. He has the desire to become a prominent figure in the midfield for us.”


	Feb. 16, 2004 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Cirillo announces six signees for men’s soccer Head coach Kiley Cirillo today announced the addition of six new players for the 2004 edition of the Missouri Southern State University men’s soccer program. “I’m very happy thus far with the new recruiting class,” Cirillo said. “I feel like they all can come in and have a chance to make a difference right away.” Cirillo, who anticipates more signings in the near future, has added four midfielders, a forward and a goalkeeper for the 2004 season. The following is a look at the 2004 signees, with comments from Cirillo, thus far for the men’s soccer program: Josh Blackman, 5-11, 150, Goalkeeper, Kirksville, Mo. (Kirksville HS) A second-team all-state pick and a two-time first-team all-district performer ... holds school records for most saves in a game and most wins in team history ... a three-year starter and a four-year letterman ... also a two-time all-conference pick. “Josh has great technique. He has good, soft hands and great ability to make the save.” Ebrima Colley, 6-0, 150, Midfielder, Gambia (Crowder College) “He can come in and bring some international talent to us. I think he’ll be able to give us some good minutes when he gets comfortable. Ebrima will be a freshman for us, since Crowder just has a club team.” Brett Kohler, 6-0, 175, Midfielder, Waterloo, Ill. (Gibault Catholic HS) A four-year letterwinner and a two-year starter for the Hawks of coach Jim Corsi ... selected to the 2003 IHSA All-Sectional Team and the Illinois Mid-State Elite Eight All-Classic Tournament Team ... helped team to three consecutive sectional titles as well as third (2002) and fourth-place (2003) finishes in Class A. “Brett sees the field really well. He has an opportunity to come in and give us some good minutes right away.” Alain Njoume, 5-11, 160, Forward, Yaounde, Litoral, Cameroon (Crowder College) “Alain has a good knack for scoring goals; he can find the opportunity to put the ball in the back of the net. He’s another freshman and should give us a good presence in the final third of the field.” Neil Stoessel, 6-4, 185, Midfielder, Papillion, Neb. (Platteview HS) Named to the Class B all-state team as a junior in 2003, Stoessel’s senior season is upcoming ... he’s a three-year starter and was also named to all-metro and all-conference teams as a junior under coach Scott Jensen ... a three-year team captain ... finished eighth in the state last year in points (goals and assists). “He has great distribution of the ball and, with his size, he’ll be a big presence to contend with. He has an opportunity to make a difference.” Drew Whitworth, 5-9, 155, Midfielder, Webb City, Mo. (Webb City HS) Attended Southwest Missouri State University after high school graduation in 2003. Will be a freshman for the Lions. “Drew is a competitor. He has the desire to become a prominent figure in the midfield for us.”