The Bakersfield Brigade have announced today that they have signed two of their outstanding 2005 season players: Forward – Lyle Martin and Defender – Brian Walker. Additionally, the Brigade has signed Midfielder – Andrew “Opie” Kelley. All three players are local products of Cal State University Bakersfield.

Lyle Martin is a local Bakersfield product who played with the Brigade last season and finished the season as the leading scorer on the team with 5 goals and 1 assist. Martin attended and played soccer at Stockdale HS and is currently a junior at CSUB where he plays as a Defender for their squad. Just recently, Martin was named to the All-CCAA team as he took on and shut down CCAA’s best strikers, while contributing 4 goals and an assist at the other end of the field. “We are very happy that Lyle has signed on to be part of our 2006 team,” stated Brigade Coach Jay Gore. “He is such a versatile player, we will definitely be playing to his strengths as we match up with the other PDL teams throughout the season,” added Gore.

Another signed returnee from the Brigade 2005 season is Defender Brian Walker. Walker played in all 16 games last season and played the most minutes of all on the squad. According to Coach Jay Gore, “Walker is a seasoned veteran player that will provide leadership for all to follow this coming season.” Walker is also a Bakersfield native and CSUB alumni.

Andrew “Opie” Kelley comes from El Segundo and is also a CSUB Men’s Soccer Team alumni. Kelley played Center-Midfielder for the Roadrunners and was named Freshman-of-the-Year during his first year at CSUB. And in his senior year in 2004, Kelly led the team in assists. “Opie brings experience and speed to our midfield that will certainly be important to our guys up front as they battle to score goals,” stated Coach Gore. In addition to signing with the PDL team, Andrew currently coaches the Brigade U12 Red Boy’s Youth Team.

The Brigade is a PDL soccer team, playing within the United Soccer Leagues’ PDL Southwestern Conference which is made up of nine teams throughout California. 

For more information please visit: http://www.BakersfieldBrigade.com