Tuesday, April 22
KALAMAZOO, MI –The Kalamazoo Outrage team is pleased to announce the signing, pending USL/PDL approval, of five players for their upcoming debut season in the United Soccer Leagues, Premier Development League.
Defender Terry Alvino will be joining the Outrage squad, as well as Oakland University goalkeeper Mitch Hildebrandt, Brescia University goalkeeper Mike Guilliatt, Central Connecticut State University multi-positioned player Blaine Veldhuis and Aurora University striker Chase Corricelli.
Alvino, age 23, has spent the past two seasons playing with Minnesota Thunder of the USL First Division. He spent his off-season with New Zealand Football Championship side Otago United.
"I have been playing as a professional for the last two years now,” said Alvino. “To get the opportunity to play under Stu [Riddle, PDL Head Coach], knowing this can really help my career with overseas exposure. It was something I could not pass up."
Alvino is expected to play a major role in the Outrage’s defensive unity and he is confident of a successful season.
“I am going to this organization for one reason, and that is to win a championship,” said Alvino. “This club being affiliated with Sheffield Wednesday gets me excited to play."
Riddle was ecstatic at the capture of the St Louis born star.
"I have been searching for a player of Terry’s caliber for a long time now,” said Riddle. “He is exactly what we need. Not only does he have professional experience, he is a born leader and a winner. I expect his enthusiasm to spread through the team like wildfire.”
"Some people will wonder why he is dropping down to PDL,” added Riddle. “But sometimes you have to take a step backwards to take two steps forward. Terry is one of a group of players we have that will be watched closely by my professional contacts. I hope we can help move him on to the next level again at the end of our season.”
Hildebrandt, a 19-year old from Livonia, MI is a former Michigan High School dream team member and will be a sophomore at Oakland University in the fall. Hildebrandt regards playing in the PDL as a great opportunity to return to the grizzlies in top shape.
"Mitch comes highly regarded by the Oakland coaching staff and I am looking forward to seeing him in action,” said Riddle. “His ability is undoubted and we hope to see the best of him in an Outrage jersey."
A native of Scunthorpe, England, Guilliatt has been a mainstay of the Brescia University side in his first season, starting all 20 games for the NAIA side in 2007. The former Doncaster Rovers and Scunthorpe United player had some eye-catching performances for the Bearcats that impressed coach Riddle.
"I saw him play in the fall of 2007,” said Riddle. “His organization was great and he made some excellent saves to back up a great all-around performance. He will arrive with a great deal of experience after spending time with some good clubs in the UK. The keeper position will be hotly contested."
The 19-year old Veldhuis played for a Central Connecticut State side that made the final 16 of the 2007 NCAA tournament. Riddle was pleased with the decision of the Mt Pleasant, MI native to sign with the Outrage ahead of various other PDL sides.
"Blaine did very well at the tryouts and I know he is getting excellent tutelage from his college coach Shaun Green,” said Riddle. “He is a big lad, tidy on the floor and [he has seen] a lot of time on a good college side.”
Veldhuis played in 13 matches for the Blue Devils in 2007 and will be a sophomore in the fall of 2008.
Aurora University goal grabber Chase Corricelli, 21, completes the quintet. He enjoyed a storied career at Aurora and scored 15 goals in 19 starts for the Spartans last season.
"I spent a lot of time watching his game tapes,’ said Riddle. “I am confident Chase will have no problem adjusting to the PDL level of play. He has been a prolific goal scorer at the Division III level and I will be working hard with him to ensure this form follows him to the PDL."
The Aurora, IL native has amassed 38 goals during his first three years at Aurora University and will be a senior in the fall.
Fans in Kalamazoo can get their first glimpse of the Kalamazoo Outrage on Sunday, May 4 when they host Club Guanajuato, a local Latino Select side. The match will kick off at 3 PM MST at Mayors Riverfront Stadium in downtown Kalamazoo and will be open to the public free of charge.
For information on the Kalamazoo Outrage please visit: www.kalamazoooutrage.com or email pwpwsoccer@aol.com.
