May 19, 2009

PHILADELPHIA – The La Salle University men’s soccer program has announced the addition of seven distinguished players to its lineup for 2009. The incoming freshman class of 2013 along with one transfer brings to 20th and Olney a plethora of school, county, conference and state honors as well as experience with the Olympic Development Program.

Sophomore transfer Nick Dundon (Ambler, Pa./Hatboro-Horsham) joins the Explorers after a year at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Dundon appeared in 17 of the Panthers’ 19 games, with 15 of those being starts. He took 18 shots from his defense/mid-field positions and registered an assist in a 1-0 win over Dayton. Prior to Wisconsin-Milwaukee, the Ambler, Pa., native was a four-year starter at Hatboro-Horsham High School and led his squad to a 14-7-1 record as a senior. The captain was named first team all-conference and second team all-area for his eight goal, six assist senior year. Dundon also earned Suburban One League Honorable Mention as a sophomore and junior. In addition to high school, he played club ball with FC Delco, leading his team to the final four of the 2007 U.S. Youth National Championship in Texas. The sophomore also brings a strong academic record with him in his biology major.

Mason Astaneh (Kingston, Pa./Wyoming Seminary) will look to compete for the goalkeeper position as Explorer netminders Andrew Bernhard and Dan Pfeiffer graduated. Astaneh was a four-year varsity player at Wyoming Seminary where he earned team MVP and all-conference honors. He was also named to the Citizens Voice Athletic Honor Roll for the least goals allowed, and allowed no goals in a trip to Spain with the Olympic Development Program. Astaneh also helped lead his U17 ODP squad to a Region I tournament title.

Also joining the Explorers is Glenroy Chapman, Jr. (Sicklerville, NJ/St. Augustine Prep). Chapman, a four-year starter and senior co-captain, earned all-conference first team as well as 2nd Team All-South Jersey and All-State honors. He played four years of ODP ball and in addition to soccer, was a four-year varsity basketball player. Chapman intends to major in Early Childhood Education.

Austin Johnson (Avalon, N.J./Middle Twp.) brings prolific scoring to the Explorers. Johnson tallied 62 goals in high school en route to earning team MVP honors in three of his four years. He was named the South Jersey Gazette-Leader Player of the Year in 2008, along with All-South Jersey, All-Group 2 and All-State honors. Johnson was also a first team all-conference pick twice. In addition to soccer, he also played three years of varsity basketball.

The Explorers will have siblings on the team in 2009 as Jeffrey Pio (Warminster, Pa./William Tennent) joins older brother Michael. Pio brings quite a resume to 20th and Olney. He scored 17 goals and tallied 24 assists from the midfield. For his efforts, he earned Suburban One honors all four years including first team nods in his junior and senior years as well as All-State Suburban One national conference honors his senior year. He was also a two-time team MVP and two-year team captain. Pio also earned Player of the Year honors from the Bucks County Courier Times his senior year after being named to the Courier Times’ Golden Team twice. The Intelligencer named him to the All-Intel Area Team his junior and senior seasons. Pio also played three years of varsity basketball, where he was the team’s primary point guard. For that, he earned Suburban One honors twice, was a two-year team captain and a three-year MVP.

Also coming to Olney in August is Zach Turchi (Langhorne, Pa./Neshaminy). Turchi was a three-year varsity starter and led his team to the 2006 District I title, as well as the 2006 and 2008 state semifinals. He earned Suburban One third team honors and Bucks County Courier Times second team honors. Turchi also played ODP ball with the Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer Association for four years. He intends to major in Nursing at La Salle.

Last but not least is Alex Workman (Arnold, Md./Broadneck) who joins the Explorers from the same hometown as graduated senior Brian Barry. Workman comes to North Philly after a decorated high school career that saw him named 1st Team All-State and 1st Team All-Met his senior season, as well as team MVP honors. He also earned all-county honors twice and was a two-year captain. Workman competed in club ball with the Baltimore Bays 91 where he helped lead the team to the 2008 Maryland State Championship.

The Explorers open the 2009 campaign on Tuesday, Sept. 1st, when they head to Lewisburg, Pa., for a 7:00 PM tilt at Bucknell. The home opener is slated for Sunday, Sept. 6th, when they host Niagara at 1:00 PM. Stay tuned to GoExplorers.com for complete schedule information to follow.