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3/8/2007
Orlando Sharks Draft College Superstars for Inaugural Team
Orlando, Fla. - (March 8, 2007) – The Orlando Sharks drafted Rollins College standout defender Anthony Santiago as their first pick in today’s Major Indoor Soccer League’s (MISL) College Draft. Santiago, who moved to Central Florida as an infant and is a graduate of Oviedo High School, was voted the Tars’ Most Valuable Player during his senior season.
“Our assistant coach Jake Dancy was very high on Anthony, as both an athlete and as a first class young man,” said Rich Bradley, vice president of Buena Vista Sports & Entertainment and team president. “After meeting with him, we were both convinced that his speed and skill-set on the field, as well as his genuine personality, will make him a strong contender to secure a roster position this fall with the Sharks.
” Keith Buckley, Head Coach of Rollins College’s Men’s Soccer Team, described Santiago as a strong technical player who is defensively excellent. “Over the last four years he has developed into a quality player. He will transition well into professional soccer because he practices hard and is willing to learn,” said Buckley.
The Sharks also selected All-Big Ten goal keeper Jake Settle from the University of Wisconsin. Settle recorded eight shutouts in 19 games his senior year, placing him 5th all-time on the Badgers for shutouts in a single season. Orlando added Brazilian native Felipe Lawall, an All-American mid-fielder from the University of West Florida, South Carolina forward Ayo Akinsete and Marquette mid-fielder Matt Blouin to complete their inaugural college draft.
The MISL College Draft is a five round procedure held each year following the completion of the NCAA soccer season. MISL teams utilize their first round pick to draft an athlete from their immediate area, and then may choose from all eligible players in the succeeding rounds. Drafted players are invited to attend the Sharks training camp later this summer in an attempt to secure a spot on the team roster for the 2007-08 season and beyond.
Also added to the club’s Designation List were Taylor Korpieski (M-Ohio State), Adam Webb (GK-Georgia Southern) and Makan Hislop (D-South Carolina), as well as Florida-based standouts Chris Cerroni (F-Rollins College), Eduardo Oliveira (D-West Florida), Keeron Bentio (M-Tampa), Asmir Pervan (F-Saint Leo) and Tommy Krizanovic (F-Jacksonville).
The Orlando Sharks will next seek players through the MISL dispersal draft at the end of the 2006-07 season, and complete their list of camp invitees following a series of local tryouts throughout Florida this summer.
“Russell Conwell, the founder of Temple University, once gave a speech that there are acres of diamonds in our backyards if we just looked for them,” added Bradley. “We know that Central Florida and the rest of the state are blessed to have scores of diamonds playing right here in our own back yard. In addition to attracting top national and international players, we have as a goal to find those diamonds in our back yard, recruiting strong, competitive athletes who might have all the tools to make it as a professional soccer player.”
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