UMaine men’s soccer picks up two recruits

University of Maine men’s soccer coach Travers Evans has added two more players to the recruiting class for next fall.

Mario DeSanctis of San Antonio, Tex. and Kyle Nicholson of Wilbraham, Mass. have joined Gabriel Germano and Justin Stockford according to Evans.

“Mario and Kyle are very solid additions to our program,” said Evans. “They have both played at a very high level, come from programs that have established winning traditions, and, most importantly, are quality young men. In combination with our early signings and our returning nucleus, I believe we will be in a position to make a strong run at an America East tournament berth in 2003. ”

DeSanctis was a three-year starter at MacArthur High School and led the team to the Texas 5A Region IV playoffs this past season.

Nicholson, a post-graduate, captained Wilbraham and Monson Academy (Mass.) to a 12-3-1 record and a New England Class B Prep School championship. The team set school records for wins and goals in a season.

Maine went 3-11-2 last fall, 1-7 in America East. Six league losses were by one or two goals.

Evans will return nine players who played in at least 15 games.

Consolante earns weekly award

University of Maine women’s soccer sweeper Linda Consolante, chosen the America East Defender of the Year as a sophomore last fall, was chosen to the W-League Team of the Week for her role in a 3-0 Ottawa Fury win over the New Jersey Wildcats last week.

Consolante was joined on the Team of the Week by Fury teammate Jeannette Akerlund, who plays her college soccer for America East rival Hartford.

Black Bear back Allison Kelly, who will be a junior in the fall, also plays for the Fury.

Four Bears heading to Va. meet

Four University of Maine track team members will compete in an NCAA qualifying meet at George Mason University in Fairfax, Va. on Friday and Saturday.

America East, New England and ECAC long jump champion Viktoriya Rybalko and men’s America East long jump winner Jesse Ludwig of South Portland will participate in that event; Lovell’s Mike Lansing will compete in the 3000-meter steeplechase, which he won at the America East meet, and Amy Williams will throw the javelin.

Williams was third in that event at the America East meet.