Aug. 24, 2012
SEATTLE - The last segment of the 2012 men's soccer team preview will look at the forwards. After losing two of the top scorers last year due to graduation, three returning players and three newcomers will lead the way for the Huskies. Head coach Jamie Clark believes the group is full of excitement and will be explosive on the attack this season. Abdul Aman returns to UW after being granted a sixth year of eligibility. The Ethiopian-born forward had a strong showing in his first year as a Husky after transferring from Clarke University. Starting in six of 14 games, he scored two goals, both of which were game-winners. After getting drafted by the Seattle Sounders with the 53rd overall pick in the 2012 MLS Supplemental Draft, he decided to forgo his options in the professional league and return to school. Aman also played with the North Sound SeaWolves this summer in the Premier Development League (PDL) and was the leading goal scorer with five goals. "Our most exciting attacking player is Aman, who's got pace and the ability to score goals lots of times," Clark says. "He's an exciting player and will be fun to watch this season." Senior Quinton Beasley is a returning starter who sat out in only one game last season. The Camas, Wash., native had a solid junior campaign, finishing the year tied for second on the team with two assists, third with 29 shots, and fourth with three goals. Beasley joined Aman and also played with the SeaWolves this year, scoring three goals in six games. "He's a very crafty attacking player who can create opportunities and score a lot of goals for us this season," says Clark. Two forward transfers will join the Huskies this season - Bradley McIntosh and Nate Sackeyfio. Clark believes both will be big targets up front. "Both are very good with their feet that we can play off of and play through," Clark added. McIntosh transferred from UCLA, but redshirted due to injury. The Redmond, Wash., native returns to his home state and will have two years of eligibility to play. He already made his presence known on the field, scoring on a header in the exhibition game against Simon Fraser last weekend. Sackeyfio, a senior, also returns home to Seattle after transferring from University of Denver. For the Pioneers, he scored three goals and three assists and was named to the MPSF Men's Soccer All-Academic Selection. Sophomore Chad Wissing is a dual threat, playing both midfielder and forward. A native of Hilo, Hawai'i, he appeared in eight games last season and took two shots. After playing well in the spring and "started to make a few things happen," as Clark says, Wissing will be an asset to the Husky attack. Rounding out the forwards is newcomer Josh Heard. The freshman is expected to be explosive down the line with his great pace. Hailing from Victoria, Canada, he was named Reynolds Soccer Player of the Year and U20 Player of the Year. He also played with the Victoria Highlanders of the PDL this summer, tallying a goal and an assist with five shots. Come check out the Huskies kick off the 2012 season today against Gonzaga at Husky Soccer Field at 5 p.m. The game will also be televised live on the Pac-12 Networks and be the first broadcasted game for UW this season. |
