The Bakersfield Brigade, Bakersfield’s own Premier Development League (PDL) soccer team, announced today that they have signed three players from Long Island University to their 2007 squad.

Returning 2006 Brigade players Frank Alesci and Mohammad Mashriqi, along with fellow LIU teammate Ryan Williams will join the Brigade for their 2007 season. Alesci is currently a freshman at LIU and plays as a Midfielder. He led all LIU players in minutes played this season, led his team in shots (37) and was 2nd in scoring with four goals and one assist. Further, he was named First Team All-Northeast Conference Selection, only freshman to be honored on NEC First Division.

Mohammad Mashriqi is a sophomore at LIU and is listed as a Forward but played most of the season in the midfield. Mashriqi started all 15 games for LIU, registered 25 shots and recorded 4 assists. As a youth player, Mashriqi reached the highest level as a youth player in America being named to the top 18 on the U-14 national team. He also competed on four state championship squads, one state finalist and trained Paris St. Germai, one of France’s top First Division teams that featured Brazilian superstar Ronaldinho. 

Ryan Williams is a Freshman Forward at LIU and will be a scoring threat to Brigade PDL opponents. As a freshman Williams started in 10 games for LIU and saw action in 16 games. As a youth player, Williams helped lead the u-17 New Rochelle Raiders to a number of titles in 2005, including the Eastern New York State Cup crown and the coveted Region 1 championship.

“These three players will fit into our program nicely,” stated Brigade Head Coach Francisco Gomez. “They’re all champions and know what it takes to win games, and they are also really exciting to watch on the field,” added Gomez     

The Bakersfield Brigade PDL Soccer Team will open their 2007 season this Saturday April 28th at Bakersfield Christian High School as they host “Valley Rival” Fresno Fuego. Game begins at 7pm and the gates will open at 4:30 with a youth pregame beginning at 5pm. First 500 fans through the gates receive a Brigade Cowbell sponsored by Career Services Center and Soccer Warehouse Plus.
 
For more information please call 410-KICK.