Tyrie, Klukowski Sign With Western Mass. Pioneers

David Tyrie and Yan Klukowski have signed with the Western Massachusetts Pioneers, announced today by Central Connecticut head coach Shaun Green. The Pioneers are a professional club playing in the United Soccer Leagues. Both players recently finished their careers at CCSU this fall and were integral pieces of the Blue Devils' first ever Northeast Conference Championship in 2007.

"I am thrilled for Yan and David that they have signed professional contract with the Pioneers," said Green. "They are a great club which will benefit immensely by having both players on their squad. David and Yan are considered by many as two of the best players in our region and will adjust quickly to the professional game. We are very proud of their accomplishments and everyone here at CCSU wishes them luck in their professional careers."

Tyrie and Klukowksi join 22 other CCSU soccer standouts that have signed professional contracts. These two Blue Devils will look to improve on last season's sixth place regular season finish for the Pioneers in the United Soccer Leagues' Second Division.

During his senior campaign Tyrie received first team All-NEC honors for the third straight year as a Blue Devil. As the defensive leader of CCSU, Tyrie was named NEC Defensive Player of the Year and NEC Tournament MVP a season ago. In 2008, his final season in New Britain, the daunting defender tallied five goals out of the back. Directing traffic as the Blue Devils' central defender, the Norwich-Norfolk, England native led the team to six shutouts this season. In 2008 Tyrie was also named to the NSCAA/Adidas All-Region team for the third year in a row.

During his career, Klukowski was named to the All-NEC team every year and was selected as the NEC Rookie of the Year in 2005. The Wiltshire, England native led the Blue Devils in his final season with eight goals, five assists and 21 total points. Klukowski also earned All-North Atlantic Region honors for the third straight year in 2008. As a sophomore the crafty midfielder led the nation in assists per game with a mark of .73 per contest.