MSU Men's Soccer signs five, adds transfers

WICHITA FALLS, Texas - Midwestern State University men's soccer coach Doug Elder announced the signing of five high-school student-athletes to National Letters of Intent on Thursday.

But all committed to Elder in January. They will join a batch of three transfers. All bring the characteristic trademarks of the MSU soccer program - athleticism and versatility.

 "Obviously, you always try to get the best guys possible," Elder said. "We had all of them signed before the signing date. That says a lot for our program. All the kids were excited to come here."

Brian Martinez, Tyler Murphy, Matt Nauman, Ryan Spence and Jeremy Elder join walkon Tony Jones and transfers William Prince and Sun Potter, giving Elder an array of talented athletes to build on the program's tradition of success.

"Every one has the ability and talent to come in and start," Elder said. "It all depends on preparation."

Martinez, a 6-2 midfielder from, Flower Mound High School, was recently named to the 2006 NSCAA all-state team. He has helped his FC Texas 88 Black club team to strong showing on the national scene.

"He's a good-sized, versatile player that has played at a high level," Elder said.

Elder believes Murphy, who was ánamed male athlete of the year at George Elliot Secondary School in Winfield, British Columbia, can use his athleticism to compete for time immediately.

"He's a talented, hard-working central midfielder," Elder said. "He's a smart and strong player who keeps it simple."

Nauman, another member of FC Texas 88 Black, will also compete for time as central midfielder after leading The Colony High School in goals and assists as a junior captain despite missing a month of the season due to illness.

"He's very, very skilled and gifted," Elder said. "If he comes in fit and strong, he can fight for a starting spot in the central midfield."

Spence brings a raw defensive mentality honed by participation in a plethora of sports in the Decatur High athletic program. He was a two-time football all-state selection as a kicker, but also played receiver. He also received all-district honors on the basketball court.

"He plays on a good club team," Elder said. "He's a big, tall and strong defender who is very athletic. He is a good defender in the Dallas Classic League."

Jeremy Elder, a third member in the class from the FC Texas Black 88 club, earned 2006 NSCAA all-state honors at Carrollton's Creekview High School. He was first-team all-district in 2004 as a sophomore at Plano Senior High, where he was the team's leading scorer.

"He has a knack to score goals and get assists," Doug Elder said. "He's hard working on the field and can take people on at will. If he can dedicate himself to soccer, he can help us out."

Prince and Potter are mid-term transfers, while Jones has walked-on for spring practice.

Prince, a transfer from Richland Junior College, is a center back with good speed. Potter returns to soccer after a two-year hiatus from Oral Roberts. He was an all-Mid-Continent Conference selection at forward/midfield in 2002 and 2003.

Jones is an international student from Grenada, who Elder said has a good shot of making the team as a defender.

Midwestern State is coming off a 13-3 season in 2005, the co-champion of the Southwest Soccer Conference.

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MIDWESTERN STATE MEN'S SOCCER SIGNEES

Name Pos  Hometown

High School Signees

Brian Mar  Flower Mound, Texas

Tyler Murphy  MF  Winfield, British Columbia, Canada

Matt Nauman  MF ááááááááááá The Colony, Texas

Ryan Spence  D   Decatur,Texas

Jeremy Elder  F   Carrollton, Texas/Creekview

Junior College Transfers

Sun Potter  F/MF   Garland, Texas ( ral Roberts University)

William Prince  D   Dallas, Texas/Skyline M Richland CC)