Leg-A-Z

Pitt Men's Soccer Freshman Lee Johnston Named to Big East Honor Roll Goalkeeper Earns First Accolade of Season for Panthers

Sept. 5, 2011 PITTSBURGH –University of Pittsburgh freshman goalkeeper Lee Johnston was selected to the Big East Men’s Soccer Weekly Honor Roll, the league announced Monday.

The newcomer from Newberry, Fla. earned the accolade after his first two career appearances. Johnston posted eight saves and allowed just one goal in 200 minutes in a 1-0-1 weekend for the Panthers.

Pitt recorded a 1-0 victory - its first of the season - over Stony Brook on Friday in the opening contest of the Duquesne Invitational. Johnston collected seven saves in the win. In Sunday’s action at the tournament, the Panthers registered a 1-1 double overtime tie with Valparaiso.

Johnston, along with teammates sophomores Nico Wrobel and Robert Ildeare were named to the Duquesne Invitational All-Tournament team.

The Panthers host the Pitt/Nike Invitational this weekend at Ambrose Urbanic Field at the Petersen Sports Complex. Pitt will face Air Force on Friday, Sept. 9 at 7:30 p.m., preceded by Duquesne/Bowling Green at 5 p.m. The two-day tournament continues on Sunday, Sept. 11.

Leg-AZ’s U16 Caimans captured the US Club National Cup X Regional Tournament on Memorial Day weekend at Vero Beach, FL. The tournament primarily consisted of teams from the Miami area. However, the finals involved two central Florida teams, Leg AZ Caimans vs. Belleview United. After a scoreless hard-fought first half, in the 68^th minute the Caimans scored on a goal by Kurt Loudermilk on a long assist from James Sweitzer. Belleview tried repeatedly but was unable to score in the final 12 minutes. With this win, the Caimans qualify for the US Club National Championships in Boise Idaho, July 28 – Aug. 1. National ranking service, Soccer-In-College, currently ranks the Caimans as a Gold Level team; #15 Nationally, #3 in Region 3, and #2 in Florida!

Leg-A-Z Soccer Academy, a Gainesville area youth soccer club, recently placed several players in various age groups to represent the State of Florida in the Olympic Development Program (ODP). ODP is the process by which each state selects it’s most talented players for consideration to participate on the national US Men’s and Women’s soccer teams. These US teams represent the USA in various competitions internationally. Through various trials the Florida Youth Soccer Association makes the player choices from the 7-10,000 players registered in each age group. Leg-A-Z is proud that the following players have been selected among the elite players in Florida:

Thomas Anderson - 1998 Boys, Nazar Deputat - 1998 Boys, Barrie Barnes - 1996 Boys, Carey Menifee – 1995 Mens, Allison Mervau - 1994 Womens, Cooper Hall - 1994 Mens, James Sweitzer - 1994 Mens.

The next step for these players will involve additional trials and regional competition in Alabama for selection to the National Team pools. Good luck players!

Why you should join Leg-AZ Soccer:
Leg-A-Z Soccer develops and promotes top caliber, highly competitive, youth soccer in the Gainesville and North Central Florida area. Area players who participate in Leg-A-Z training are those who have the most success in high school and college. In fact, Leg-A-Z has produced more players of the year, all-state players, ODP players and all-area players than any other single group of its kind in this area.

Our unique integration of skill and tactical understanding contributes greatly to our players' success. Our highly qualified coaching staff understands the modern soccer game and modern teaching methods necessary to take players to their highest level.