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Pioneers add transfers for fall
University of Denver men’s soccer added two players to its 2012 roster, signing Ryan Dodson and Anees Abdulgasem, head coach Bobby Muuss announced.
Dodson played his freshman season at North Carolina, where he helped the Tar Heels win the 2011 NCAA National Championship. Prior to his time at North Carolina, Dodson was a member of the U.S. Under-20 National Team and had a highly decorated club soccer career for Sockers FC. Among 2011 freshmen, Dodson was ranked the 57th recruit in the nation and fourth in the Midwest Region by Top Drawer Soccer and 62nd in the nation by College Soccer News.
“Ryan has an ability to create and score goals, and adds a different physical dimension to our attack,” Muuss said. “His pedigree is outstanding, and his experiences with both the U.S. U-20 National Team and the National Championship program at UNC will be a positive addition to our program.”
Abdulgasem returns to his hometown to join the Pioneers after a two-year stint with Tyler Junior College, where he helped the Apache to two Final Four appearances and an NJCAA National Championship. The Apache finished with an 18-1-4 record and finished third at the NJCAA National Championships in 2011.
The junior transfer netted nine goals and distributed five assists last season, earning him a spot on the NSCAA All-Region Team. In 2010, Abdulgasem tallied 19 points on eight goals and three assists, leading Tyler J.C. to an NJCAA title. Prior to his time with the Apache, Abdulgasem played for Real Colorado, advancing to the 2009 U.S. Soccer Development Academy Finals week, while winning three State Cups and one regional championship in his youth career. Abdulgasem was ranked No. 62 by Top Drawer Soccer on their 2009 recruits to watch list.
“Tyler has consistently been one of the most successful junior college programs in terms of winning and developing players for NCAA and professional careers,” Muuss said. “We are excited to have Anees coming to DU from their program. Anees is an extremely technical and creative attacking player that brings a unique skill set of creating and scoring goals.”
The duo joins an already highly-talented DU recruiting class which already includes UCLA-transfer Reid Hukari and incoming freshmen Chandler Crosswait, Reagan Dunk, Karsten Hanlin, Malcolm Harris, Logan McHugh and Jordan Schweitzer.
Denver’s 2012 freshmen class includes three players in the College Soccer News top 80 recruits in the nation, an NSCAA All-American and an All-American game invitee.
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