Albany, N.Y. – University at Albany head men’s soccer coach Johan Aarnio announced on Monday, April 23 that five student-athletes have signed national letters of intent to play for the Great Danes in the 2007-08 academic year.  Ian Peach, a 6-foot-3, 180-pound defender from South Hempstead, N.Y. (South Side H.S.), Shaun Kane, a 5-foot-10, 160-pound forward from Stirlingshire, Scotland (St. Modans H.S.), Paul Gordon, a 6-foot-2, 160-pound forward from Renfrewshire, Scotland (Trinity H.S.), Milos Jankovic, a 6-foot, 160-pound defender from Belgrade, Serbia (Secondary School of Sport), and Bozidar Jelovac, a 6-foot-4, 170-pound foward from Belgrade, Serbia (Sveti Sava School) have made their commitments.

     Peach was named third-team all-state by the New York Sportswriters Association and NSCAA/adidas.  He earned All-Nassau County recognition as a junior and senior and was All-Conference ABC-I.  Peach scored eight goals from his midfield position in leading his team to an 8-5-2 record in 2006.  “He has the size and strength to play defense and will become an offensive threat,” Aarnio said.

     Gordon was Trinity’s team captain.  He also has played for the Erskine Boys Club and the Kirkintilloch Rob Roy Juniors F.C.  He joins his brother, Brian, on the UAlbany soccer roster.  Brian was named to the America East Conference all-rookie team as a freshman in 2006.  “He is a proven scorer whose speed and will get him behind the defense,” Aarnio offered.

     Kane played on the Under-17 Scottish National Youth Team.  He also represented Scotland in International Matches with England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Kane has played for the Rosebank Football Club since 2002.  “Shaun has the ability to score and find others in the box which will make him a dangerous striker on the collegiate level,” Aarnio said.

     Jankovic has been a member of both the Under-17 and Under-19 Serbia & Montenegro National Teams.  “Milos is a fierce defensive competitor who has the experience that will impact upon our program positively,” Aarnio explained.

     Jelovac, who also played for FC Radnicki, was a member of Serbia & Montenegro’s Under-17 and Under-19 national squads.  “He is skillful, technical with size and speed, and can score on the ground and in the air,” Aarnio said.

     The Great Danes, who were 7-10-2 overall last year, placed fourth in the America East Conference standings with a 5-3 mark.  UAlbany qualified for the conference’s postseason tournament for the third consecutive season.

University at Albany Men’s Soccer Signings

Name, Pos., Ht., Wt., Hometown (Secondary School)

Paul Gordon, F, 6-2, 160, Renfrewshire, Scotland (Trinity)

Milos Jankovic, D, 6-0, 160, Belgrade, Serbia (Secondary School of Sport)

Bozidar Jelovac, F, 6-4, 170, Belgrade, Serbia (Sveti Sava School)

Shaun Kane, F, 5-10, 160, Stirlingshire, Scotland (St. Modans)

Ian Peach, D, 6-3, 180, South Hempstead, N.Y. (South Side)

     Albany, N.Y. -- University at Albany Vice President and Director of Athletics Lee McElroy announced on Wednesday, April 18 the school's men's and women's soccer schedule for 2007. The men will play a 17-match schedule, including three tournaments at Virginia Commonwealth, Colgate and Wisconsin-Green Bay. The women have 19 matches scheduled, including an appearance in Youngstown State's Penguin Classic.

     The Great Danes, who were 7-10-2 overall and finished fourth in the America East Conference men's standings, begin the season at VCU's Nike/Alltel Classic. UAlbany meets defending Atlantic Soccer Conference champion Adelphi in the first round before taking on the host school in the second round. Colgate and Cornell will be the opponents in the Raiders Adidas Fall Classic on Sept. 7-9. The Great Danes, who also have eight conference matches slated, travel to Wisconsin-Green Bay's tournament on Sept. 15-16. Head coach Johan Aarnio begins his eighth season. Brian Gordon, a member of the America East All-Rookie Team, and goalkeeper Steward Ceus, who posted a 1.34 goals against average, are among the returnees.

     UAlbany's women's soccer team made strides in head coach Mary-Frances Monroe's first season at the helm. The Great Danes went 5-13-1 overall, their most victories as a Division I program, and broke a 31-match skid in conference play. Diana Barrera (6 goals, 3 assists) and Jacklyn Rosada (6 goals, 2 assists) helped lead the upswing. In addition to an eight-match America East schedule, the Great Danes will open their season with a pair of home games against Colgate (Aug. 31) and Holy Cross (Sept. 2). UAlbany also battles Youngstown State and Indiana State at the Penguin Classic in Youngstown, Ohio on Sept. 14-16, before traveling to William & Mary on Sept. 19.

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August -- 31 (Fri.), Adelphi+, 5:30.

September -- 2 (Sun.), at Virginia Commonwealth+, 3:30; 7 (Fri.), Cornell++, 5:00; 9 (Sun.), at Colgate++, 2:30; 12 (Wed.), Syracuse, 4:00; 15 (Sat.), at Wisconsin-Green Bay^, 3:30; 16 (Sun.), Denver^, 1:00; 19 (Wed.), at Siena^^, 7:00; 29 (Sat.), Marist, 1:00.

October -- 6 (Sat.), at Vermont*, 1:00, 13 (Sat.), New Hampshire*, 1:00; 17 (Wed.), Boston U.*, 4:00; 20 (Sat.), at UMBC*, 1:00; 24 (Wed.), at Stony Brook*, 7:00; 27 (Sat.), at Binghamton*, 7:00; 31 (Wed.), Maine*, 2:00.

November -- 4 (Sun.), Hartford*, 2:00.

*America East Conference Opponent    All Times Eastern

+Nike/Alltel Classic (Richmond, Va.)    ++Raiders Adidas Fall Classic (Hamilton, N.Y.)

^UWGB Tournament (Green Bay, Wis.)    ^^Clifton Park (N.Y.) Commons

August -- 31 (Fri.), Colgate, 4:00.

September -- 2 (Sun.), Holy Cross, 2:00; 5 (Wed.), at Manhattan, 4:00; 7 (Fri.), at New Jersey Tech, 7:00; 9 (Sun.), at Marist, 1:00; 11 (Tue.), Massachusetts, 4:00; 14 (Fri.), at Youngstown State^, 7:00; 16 (Sun.), Indiana State^, 11:00 a.m.; 19 (Wed.), at William & Mary, 7:00; 23 (Sun.), Delaware State, 1:00; 26 (Wed.), Siena+, 7:00; 30 (Sun.), Maine, 12:00.

October -- 4 (Thu.), Boston U.*, 3:00; 7 (Sun.), at New Hampshire*, 1:00, 11 (Thu.), Binghamton*, 3:00; 14 (Sun.), at Stony Brook*, 1:00; 18 (Thu.), at Vermont,*, 3:00; 25 (Thu.), Hartford*, 3:00; 28 (Sun.), at UMBC*, 1:00.

*America East Conference Opponent    All Times Eastern

^Penguin Classic (Youngstown, Ohio)    +Colonie (N.Y.) High School