VETERAN GOALKEEPER RETURNS

RICHMOND, VA – (Thursday, January 6, 2011) – The Richmond Kickers are pleased to announce the return of veteran goalkeeper and captain Ronnie Pascale for the 2011 season, pending USSF approval.

“We are pleased that Ronnie will join us for one final season,” comments Leigh Cowlishaw, Richmond Kickers Head Coach and Director of Soccer.  “The challenge of playing against several of the best organizations outside of MLS was an opportunity he just could not pass up.  This will definitely be his final year and it would be fitting if he could lead the team to another championship.”

Entering his 12th season with the Kickers, Pascale has been Richmond’s starting goalkeeper since 2002, logging over 22,000 minutes in Kickers uniform.  Consistently one of the top netminders in the league, Pascale backstopped the team to a second place regular season finish and ended the campaign atop two of the key goalkeeping categories in 2010 with a miniscule 0.882 goals against average in 17 games played.  Pascale’s return shores up one of the best defensive units in the league, comprised of Sascha Görres, William Yomby, Henry Kalungi and Dave Hertel.  The experienced back line posted nine shutouts in 2010, while allowing just 15 goals on the regular season en route to the Kickers sixth Championship appearance in nine years.  The longtime Kickers veteran is a three-time USL-2 Goalkeeper of the Year, honored in 2006, 2007 and 2009.  

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, Pascale was named the Furman Male Athlete of the Year (1998/99).

Reserve your 2011 Season Passes today at www.richmondkickers.com to see your Richmond Kickers compete in USL PRO.  The 16-team league will make its debut in 2011 and includes marquee franchises such as the Charleston Battery, Richmond Kickers, Rochester Rhinos and Orlando City.  Designed to help ensure the long-term stability of professional soccer in North America below MLS, USL PRO is focused on franchise longevity and features an unprecedented six teams with more than a decade of operational experience in 2011, and more than 100 years of combined operational experience.

#22 Ronnie Pascale      Goalkeeper      Ht: 5’11”      Wt: 180       Hometown: North Salem, NY
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