February 11, 2013

Moodie Announces 2013 Men's Soccer Signing Class

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – The Carson-Newman men’s soccer program has signed six players for its 2013 signing class, announced by head coach Richard Moodie on Monday. Three of the six signees are from the state of Tennessee, and Moodie believes this signing class will add talent to the 2013 Eagles roster.

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – The Carson-Newman men's soccer program has signed six players for its 2013 signing class, announced by head coach Richard Moodie on Monday.

Three of the six signees are from the state of Tennessee, and Moodie believes this signing class will add talent to the 2013 Eagles roster.

"We're excited about the incoming class," said Carson-Newman head coach and Director of Soccer Richard Moodie. "We've got several players that will join us later as transfers, all internationals. We've also signed five Tennessee kids. We've tried to reconnect with the area and we believe Tennessee is a good pool for us to get some rising talent from. We even went more local by signing two kids from Jefferson County."

Moodie believes more players will be added to this signing class throughout the winter and spring, and fans are encouraged to visit www.cneagles.com for the latest information on the 2013 Carson-Newman men's soccer signing class.

Nicholas Dillard (Lebanon, Tenn.) – Wilson Central High School . 6-0, 190 pound Center Defender.

Dillard was a standout in wrestling and soccer at Wilson Central High School in Lebanon, Tenn., where he was coached by Justin Smith. He chose Carson-Newman because of its small Christian environment with strong academic and athletic programs. He plans to major in Biology at Carson-Newman.

Moodie on Dillard: "He was coached by a former coach of the program Scott Hoffman. Tough-nosed defender that is going to give us all he has. Nick is definitely a huge addition to the team, knowing that we're going to be graduating our entire defense next year. I think it's the right time for us to add a player that's going to come in and for sure learn from the veterans."

Ethan Haskell (Knoxville, Tenn.) Hardin Valley Academy. 6-0, 155 pound Defender.

Haskell was a standout at Hardin Valley Academy in Knoxville, Tenn., where he was coached by Mike McLean. Was part of the 2010 District Champions, 2011 District, Regional, and State Champions, as well as the 2012 District Champions in his time at Hardin Valley. His brother Dustin played soccer at Bethel University, while his mother Lori played volleyball at Cedarville University, and his father Jonathan played basketball also at Cedarville Univ. He chose Carson-Newman because of Coach Moodie and the team, as well as the school's great special education department. He plans to major in Special Education at Carson-Newman.

Moodie on Haskell: "He's a very well-coached young player who is coming from Knoxville Soccer Academy where he was coached by Josh Scott and Derek Broadley. He'll be a huge addition to us in the center of the park, he's a rising talent – we've yet to see the best of him. We believe we'll see his best during his four years at Carson-Newman."

Samuel Hays (Rochester, N.Y.) – Bishop Kearney High School. 5-10, 160 pound Goalkeeper.

Hays was a standout in soccer, baseball, tennis, and indoor track at Bishop Kearney High School in Rochester, N.Y., where he was coached in soccer by Bill McKee. Member of the 2010 Section V Class "CC" Soccer Champions. Honored as a Section V Senior Select Soccer All-Star, 2012 Section V Private-Parochial First Team All-League, 2012 Section V Private Parochial Player of the Year, 2012 Democrat and Chronicle All-Greater Rochester Honorable Mention. Was a member of the Academic Honor Roll from 2009-13 and the National Honor Society from 2011-13. He chose Carson-Newman because of the Christian environment, outstanding academics, and great soccer program and coaches. He plans to major in Management at Carson-Newman.

Colton Seale (Jefferson City, Tenn.) – Jefferson County High School. 6-2, 180 pound Defender.

Seale was a standout in soccer and football at Jefferson County High School in Dandridge, Tenn., where he was coached by Shawn Way. He was a member of the Lakeway Tribe Club Team that won the following honors: 2009-10 DIII State Champions, 2010-11 Adidas Cup Champions, 2012 Fusion Fall Kick-Off Champions, 2012 Flora-Bama Champions, 2012 Carolina Cup Finalists, and 2012 Piedmont Shootout Champions. Was named the "Best Newcomer" in 2010, 2011 Defensive Most Valuable Player, 2012 Defensive Most Valuable Player 2012 Inter-Mountain Athletic Conference First-Team honoree. His father, Danny Seale, played football at Carson-Newman.

Moodie on Seale: "He's one of the two young men that we've signed from Jefferson City. A lot like Nick Dillard, very similar players in that they are very technical and very athletic and will run through a wall for you. I see the potential for him to get some minutes this fall. We'll see what he can learn from the veterans, hopefully with the ability to get some playing time."

Marius Staalby (Trondheim, Norway) – Strinda VGS. 6-2, 200 pound Forward.

Staalby was a soccer, cross country and skiing standout at Strinda VGS in Trondheim, Norway, the same school that Carson-Newman's Sindre Welo attended. He is the son of Roger and Wenche Staalby. Staalby chose Carson-Newman because he believes that the Eagles have a strong squad as well as a solid coaching staff in Richard Moodie and Francois Dubourdeau. He is already on campus at Carson-Newman as a mid-year transfer student-athlete.

Moodie on Staalby: "He's played at a very good level over there in Norway. He's a huge target and that's exactly what we were missing from last year. We struggled at times to score goals and we've really put in a lot of emphasis on bringing in kids that can do that for us this year. So far in practice he's done great things and arguably he will be among the best freshmen in the conference."

Luke Wiggins (New Market, Tenn.) – Jefferson County High School. 5-11, 154 pound Midfielder.

Wiggins was a standout at Jefferson County High School in Dandridge, Tenn., where he was coached by Shawn Way. He was a part of the District Finalists, second place team during his junior year of 2011-12. He was also the recipient of the Coaches' Award in 2011 and 2012. He was a Wendy's Heisman Finalist during his senior season of 2012-13, and was the won the 2012 Service Learning Award on Honor's Day. He chose Carson-Newman because he believes it is a great school and stated that he always wanted to play as an Eagle. Plans to major in Biology at Carson-Newman.

Moodie on Wiggins: "He's another local kid and a natural left-footed player which is something that we've also been shy of. He's going to add a bit of depth in that area. He's a great energetic young man, full of enthusiasm and he's going to work hard and fight for minutes and I'm sure he's going to get them."