(Harrisburg, Pa., April 14, 2005) – The Harrisburg City Islanders announced on Thursday the signings of four players: defenders Dustin Bixler and Adam Clay, midfielder Henry Mensah, and forward Chad Severs.
With the signings, the City Islanders have finalized their 21-man roster for their 2005 season opener, this Saturday, April 16, at Cincinnati (7:30 p.m. kickoff).
Bixler, a 6-3, 185-pound backliner, is a graduate of local Red Land High School and Lock Haven University. He was a four-year starter at Lock Haven, playing 71 career games and earning All-Conference honors in 2002, 2003, and 2004. Bixler was named to the NCAA Division II All-Northeast Region First Team in 2003 and 2004, and was voted the team’s Most Valuable Player and the Conference’s Athlete of the Year in 2004. Bixler was a conference and district all-star during his time at Red Land.
Clay, a native of Dallas, Pa., comes to the City Islanders from Bloomsburg University, where he finished his career with 30 goals (third on the school’s all-time list) and 69 points (fourth). Capable of playing all over the field, Clay was selected to the NSCAA All-Northeast Region First Team in 2002 and 2004, and snagged a place on the All-Conference First Team following his senior year. The 6-1, 175-pound Clay appeared in three games for the Reading Rage of the Premier Development League in 2004.
Mensah, who showed dangerous flashes in an attacking role throughout the preseason, most recently had a two-game stint with the Nashville Metros of the A-League (now the USL First Division) in 2001. Prior to that, he was a standout performer at both the University of South Carolina-Aiken and Tennessee State University. The 26-year-old has spent preseason time with both the Charleston Battery of the First Division and the MetroStars of MLS (2003 and 2004).
Severs stands as one of the most highly touted prospects to come out of the college ranks this season. The 5-10, 175-pound point producer scored 38 goals and 90 points in 85 games (2001-2004) with the Nittany Lions, leading the team in scoring for three straight years from 2002-2004. His best season came as a sophomore in 2002, when he scored 17 goals and 37 points and earned an Honorable Mention nod on the College Soccer News Division One All-American Team. His litany of honors includes three Mid-Atlantic All-Region selections (2002-Third Team, 2003-Second Team, 2004-Second Team) and three Big Ten All-Conference picks (2001-Second Team, 2002-First Team, 2004-Second Team). Severs was also the Big Ten Rookie of the Year in 2001, when he played with current City Islanders Captain Derek Potteiger. Severs scored 159 goals at Ocean City High School in New Jersey, coming within two of tying the state record set by former U.S. National Team star Tab Ramos.
The City Islanders’ 2005 home opener at Skyline Sports Complex will be on Saturday, April 23, at 7:05 p.m. against the Pittsburgh Riverhounds.
Season, group, and single-game tickets are on sale now. Ticket prices remain the same as a season ago, with General Admission, Reserved, and Club Paradise packages available from $100 - $250 for adults and starting at just $50 for youth. Tickets are available by calling 717-441-GOAL or by visiting www.cityislanders.com.
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