RICHMOND, VA – (Wednesday, February 3, 2010) – The Richmond Kickers are pleased to announce that three-time USL Second Division Goalkeeper of the Year Ronnie Pascale will return for his 11th season with the Kickers in 2010, pending USSF approval. Pascale returns to captain the 2010 squad after leading the Kickers to their second USL-2 Championship title in four years. Listen to Ronnie's interview with Wes McElroy on Sports Radio 910!
“Ronnie’s return is a big boost for the club,” comments Leigh Cowlishaw, Richmond Kickers Head Coach and Director of Soccer. “He is one of the top goalkeepers outside of MLS and last year’s performance was arguably one of his best seasons ever with the Kickers. Our 2010 season will most likely be his eleventh and final year with the Kickers and I know he will want to finish his professional career in style.”
Entering his 11th season with the Kickers, Pascale has been Richmond’s starting goalkeeper starter since 2002. Consistently one of the top netminders in the league, Pascale backstopped the Kickers to a second place regular season finish in 2009 and ended the campaign atop two of the three key goalkeeping categories. With a 0.900 goals against average, Pascale was just edged out of the GAA Championship by Harrisburg’s Chase Harrison (0.812), but led the league in wins (11) and tied with Harrison for most shutouts with eight. The longtime Kickers veteran collected the USL-2 Goalkeeper of the Year award for the third time, honored in 2006 and 2007 while leading the team to consecutive Championship appearances.
"I’m really excited the Kickers decided to take me back for another year. Last year was an incredible season, and I know Leigh and Jesse will put together another squad that will compete for the USL-2 Championship,” adds Pascale. “We already have a great core of guys back, and I can’t wait to see how the team shapes up. It’s going to be a really exciting season, especially with the Battery joining the league, and I can’t wait to renew that rivalry."
Named Southern Conference Rookie of the Year in 1995, Pascale was a four-year starter in goal at Furman University. In the remaining seasons at Furman, he was named to the Southern All-Conference team four times, Conference Goalkeeper of the year three times, and was twice named to the Second Team All-South. After his senior season Ronnie was named the Furman Male Athlete of the Year (1998/99).
