Aug 26, 2008 - X-Men soccer head coach Lou Bilek has begun his 2008 training camp welcoming 38 invited student-athletes. "Competition in this years training camp will be strong," comments Coach Bilek, who is entering his 39th season behind the helm of the soccer X-Men. "We are only losing two starters from last year and I am looking forward to adding some talented freshman to the team."

Midfielder Shane Circelli and defenseman Cale Hennigar are the two losses from the starting line-up, while the X-Men will return several key players including AUS Rookie of the Year and all-Canadian defensemen Miroslav Novak from the Czech Republic, along with his country-mate forward and AUS all-star Michael Marousek. The X-Men will be led by team captain Rory Hunter who has made a very successful change from the midfield to the right fullback position. Unfortunately last year’s team leading scorer Joe Phillips will miss the season due to a broken leg, however starting goalkeeper Mark Krocko returns and was selected as the best keeper in East Ontario this past summer.

Coach Bilek’s 2008 recruiting class includes strikers Sam Boetang and Jessie Burgins and midfielders Jamar Dixon and Ryan Casey.

Sam Boetang is a striker from the Ontario Soccer league. He is a proven goal scorer who dominates opposition with his speed. He was the Southern Ontario U18 most outstanding player and was a high school MVP four straight years. He is also a very successful track sprinter.

Striker Jessie Burgins was a member of Rockers United men’s premier league team of the Ottawa Carleton Soccer League. Jessie is another goal scorer with top level experience, playing for the Ottawa Youth team which reached the league finals. He is a two-time high school soccer MVP and was the Winter Super League leading goal scorer. He was also a former member of EODSA East Ontario Developmental Soccer all star select team.

Jamar Dixon is one of the best 18 year old midfielders in the country. He played for the Rockers United men’s premier team in the Ottawa Carleton Soccer League. A central midfield attacker, he was voted the most promising player on team last year and was team MVP, scoring 8 goals on the season. He started and played in all 14 league games, in addition to playing in the Ontario Cup and Ottawa Cup. He too is a former member of the EODSA East Ontario Developmental Soccer all star select team and was a high school soccer MVP.

Ryan Casey is a midfielder who saw action with the PEI provincial team. He is very fit and is a talented midfielder with a national championship bronze medal from 2007.

Other recruits attending the X-Men training camp include Paul Cikes, Kieran Goodwin and Marshall Dawson who will add depth in the goaltending department, along with Kris Wignes and Braden Leigh-Spencer from BC who will provide more depth to the X-Men defense. There is also nine relatively untested but very talented freshmen from NS, PEI and Ontario trying to crack the X roster, so competition at training camp will be strong.