July 28, 2010
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -
Officials at the Atlantic 10 announced the 2010 Men's Soccer Preseason All-Conference and All-Rookie teams on Wednesday, with Fordham junior goalkeeper Ryan Meara (Yonkers, N.Y./Fordham Prep), junior midfielder Tim Richardson (North Palmerston, New Zealand/North Palmerston) earning spots on the all-conference team and newcomer Michael Stalker (Wall, N.J./St. Benedict's Prep) making the All-Rookie squad.
Four of those who earned preseason honors were members of the 2009 All-Atlantic 10 First Team, including Meara and Richardson. Richardson was also the 2009 Atlantic 10 Midfielder of the Year, becoming only the second Fordham ram to receive a major men's soccer award from the A-10 since John Wolyniec was named Player of the Year in 1998.
Richardson, a 5-11 junior midfielder, had a superb sophomore campaign as the team's MVP, leading the Rams in goals (six), points (14), and game-winning goals (three), all of which were career-highs. Most of that damage came in league play with four goals, nine points, and two game-winning goals against Atlantic 10 competition. He tied for eighth in the conference in goals and tied for fourth in game-winning tallies (four).
Meara was an iron man in net for Fordham. He played all but nine minutes this season (1767:45), posted a 9-7-3 record, a 1.02 goals against average, and 7.5 shutouts. In league play, Meara led the Rams to a 6-1-2 mark, posting a 0.85 goals against average, 4.5 shutouts, and a better than .800 save percentage.
Both Richardson and Meara also earned National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) All-Mid-Atlantic Region honors as Meara was tabbed to the first team and Richardson was a second team selection.
Stalker, a 5-9 rookie midfielder, comes to Fordham after being a three-year starter at St. Benedict's Prep. He helped St. Benedict's to three State Prep "A" Championships from 2007-09, with the last title in 2009, setting the NSCAA National Record for 21 consecutive state championships. His 2008 team was a highly-ranked team, as the group was No. 7 in the U.S., according to ESPNRise, and No. 24 by the NSCAA.
A First Team Prep All-State selection as a senior, Stalker also helped his club team, Match Fit Chelsea Academy, to two-straight Academy playoffs.
The 2010 Fordham men's soccer team will start their quest for its fourth-straight Atlantic 10 tournament berth on Wednesday, Sept. 1 at home on Jack Coffey Field against Adelphi at 7 p.m.
