Antigonish, NS— X-Men soccer head coach Graham Kennedy is pleased to announce the 2009 recruiting class. Kennedy concludes, “I am very pleased to have signed an outstanding recruiting class to national letters-of-intent for the 2009 season,” comments Coach Kennedy, who is entering his first season as X-Men head coach.

“Overall we have recruited a class of players who possess exceptional character and competence. We have some impressive leadership coming to the team, an improvement in team speed and athleticism, and we have added young players with proven high-level experience. I am excited about working with this outstanding crop of new players.”

Joining the X-Men team as first year varsity student-athletes for the fall season are goalkeeper Andrew MacDonald (Antigonish, NS), defenders Jamie Tibbo (Timberlea, NS), Max Maund (Courtney, BC), Josh MacIntyre (Halifax, NS), Phil Casey (New Glasgow, NS) forwards Maximillian Etheridge (Marlborough, England) and Paul Oppenheim (Calgary, AB).

Goalkeeper Andrew MacDonald, an Antigonish, NS native, was a member of the Highland Knights and will represent Nova Scotia in the upcoming Canada Summer Games this August in Charlottetown. A graduate of Dr. J.H. Gillis High School, MacDonald was a standout for his high school team, playing in goal as well as in central midfield. He was selected league Most Valuable Player for the Northumberland region.

“Andrew MacDonald was the first player I recruited when I took the job at StFX,” states Kennedy. “He brings outstanding character and ability in addition to being an excellent student. He has the talent and poise to play immediately in the AUS conference.”

Defender Jamie Tibbo, a member of Halifax County SC, will captain team Nova Scotia at the 2009 Canada Summer Games. A native of Timberlea, NS, and a National Training Center player, Tibbo also captained the Halifax County United U18 team to a provincial championship in 2008. He is graduating this spring from Sir John A. MacDonald High School.

“Jamie Tibbo brings us some much needed pace in our backline along with strong attacking abilities that allow him contribute when he gets forward,” comments Kennedy. “Jamie comes from a family that has a very strong work ethic and he leads by example. He possesses the tools and the character to become a top class defender in the AUS.”

Defender Max Maund (Courtney, BC) is currently a reserve team player with the Victoria Highlanders of the Premier Development League. Maund was a 2008 league all-star selection with Nanaimo United senior men of the Vancouver Island Soccer League under highly respected coach Bill Merriman. He was previously selected for the Vancouver Whitecaps Prospects program, an elite youth development program for some of BC’s top youth players.

“Max is an important signing for us because he comes from a very strong soccer community and has experience and game awareness beyond his age,” says Kennedy. “Max is technically strong, very athletic and tactically intelligent. It is evident that he has been well coached from a young age. He will step into our line-up and make an immediate impact.”

Defender Josh MacIntyre (Halifax, NS) is a 2008 graduate of Halifax Grammar School who did not play varsity soccer last year. MacIntyre currently plays with Nova Scotia senior champions Halifax City.

“Josh MacIntyre is the ultimate team player,” states Kennedy. “He has a fantastic work rate that compliments his excellent leadership abilities. Josh is a reliable defender who can pass and receive the ball and he doesn’t mind getting stuck into a tackle.”

Defender Phil Casey, a native of New Glasgow, NS, is a member of the NS Canada Games team and is an outstanding student at East Pictou High School. He has also played with the Highland Knights.

“Phil Casey brings solid techniques to the table and he has the potential to develop into a solid university player,” says Kennedy. “Phil has demonstrated an amazing commitment to his development and has put on thousands of miles to play at the provincial team level.”

Forward Maximillian Etheridge, a member of Cirencester Town FC U19s was recommended to Kennedy by a coaching colleague in England. A four-year captain at Marlborough Football Club, Etheridge had professional trials at Swindon Town, Reading and Bristol Rovers before deciding to explore overseas collegiate opportunities.

“Max Etheridge is an exciting player for us who brings a level of experience that most Canadian players his age do not possess,” comments Kennedy. “Max’s Cirencester team made it to the final thirty-two of the Youth FA Cup, losing 2-1 to Sunderland in the fifth round. This is a remarkable achievement for an amateur side and is testament to the level that Max can play.”

“I had the pleasure of watching Max play in three matches in Canada and he also attended our talent identification camp. I am convinced that he can be an impact player in our league as an 18 year old freshman.”

Forward Paul Oppenheim (Calgary, AB) is a past member of Coach Kennedy’s national silver medal winning Foothills U18 team of 2006. Oppenheim is natural left-footer who plays for Calgary Darts-Foothills. A former Alberta provincial team player, Oppenheim is also a nationally recognized squash player.

“Paul Oppenheim is a strong and powerful player who can score big goals,” says Kennedy. “Paul is an excellent one versus one player who can run at defenders and can both score and create goals. What I really respect about Paul is how hard he works off the ball whether in attack or in defense.”

Joining the crop of first year player are transfers Josh Weinberger and Thomas Bradley, both natives of Calgary, AB and members of the Calgary Foothills and Calgary Darts.

Weinberger, a central midfielder, is entering his second year of eligibility, transferring from Trinity Western University. Bradley, a versatile forward/midfield player is entering his third year of eligibility after playing two seasons with Dalhousie University.

“I am absolutely delighted to have these two players join our program,” offers Kennedy. “Josh is a natural leader who is big, strong and tough. He can win the ball; pass the ball and direct play.

“Tom Bradley is a dynamo who can play in and around tight spaces with ease. His one versus one skills are outstanding and he brings a fierce competitiveness to every game and training session.”

Coach Kennedy enters his first season behind the helm of the X-Men and will be joined by assistant coaches Rob Canning, Justin MacKenzie and graduate assistant Brandon Dort. X-Men training camp details will be available at www.goxgo.ca in June with AUS league competition beginning early September.