Men's Soccer Welcomes Incoming Student-Athletes for 2016

Head coach Shaun Green and the Central Connecticut men's soccer team have announced the addition of their newcomers for the Fall of 2016. The incoming group will join a Blue Devils squad that won its final two games last season and will be primed for a fast start this season.

CCSU will welcome 11 newcomers to bolster the squad..

DAVID BERGSTROEM - Soedertaelje, Sweden - Midfield
Bergstroem is a strong midfielder with good size at 6-foot-3. He has experience playing with his hometown team in Sweden, Syrianska FC. He joined Södertälje FK in 2012 when the club played in the Swedish Division 6 and was later promoted to the Swedish Division 5. He also played with the Järna SK reserves in the Swedish Division 5. Bergstroem has also been selected to play with the Södermanland regional team, which is made up from the best players in the region.

"David is a top class player and an outstanding student. He is a dominant central midfielder who we expect to make a big impacted in our goal to win the 2016 NEC Championship. David has great range in his passing ability and excllent vision on the ball. He is a "Box to Box" midfielder because of his outstanding endurance. At 6'3" he will also add a physical presence to the midfield. David comes from a great family background and his parents Eva and Karlsson have been such a positive influence on his life. Not only is David a great player, he is an outstanding person which we feel mirrors the core values of our soccer program and University. We are all looking forward to welcoming David to Central Connecticut State University" - Head Coach Shaun Green.

SEBASTIAN CALDERON - Rocky Hill, CT - Midfield
Calderon is a transfer from Heidelburg University where he played in 21 games as a freshman, including 13 starts. Calderon scored two goals and had one assist. He attended Rocky Hill High School in Rocky Hill, CT, where he was named All-Conference and received the Coaches Award.

"Sebastian is a technical midfielder who will add depth to the team. We are looking forward to seeing Sebastian in a Blue Devil uniform this fall" - Head Coach Shaun Green

DANTE CANCELLARO - Watertown, CT - Midfield
Cancellaro was a standout midfielder at Watertown High School where he helped the squad to the second round of the Class M tournament. He served as team captain and was named to the All-NVL team and was named "Player of the Game" five times last season. He plays club soccer with Southbury FC.

"Dante is a great prospect from Connecticut. He is a gifted midfielder with great balls skills. Dante is capable of scoring goals by the nature of his attacking style of play from midfield. He is extremely effective on free kicks. I feel Dante will develop into a very good division one player in our program. His parents Carolyn and Dominic have provided him with great support to help him succeed at the next level . We are very exciting that Dante selected CCSU to continue his education on and off the field" - Head Coach Shaun Green.

COOPER D'AMBROSIO - Andover, CT - Defense
D'Ambrosio is a transfer from Eastern Connecticut State University where he earned NSCAA All-New England First Team (2015) and Third Team (2014). The two-time Little East Defensive Player of the Year he was named a NSCAA Academic All-American in 2015. A native of Andover, CT, he attended RHAM High School and was a four-year starter and two-year captain, earning All-State honors as a senior. A three-time All-CCC East honoree he helped lead team to conference title as a senior. D'Ambrosio's younger brother, Carson, is also a member of the Blue Devils.

"Cooper is a mature defender with great leadership skills. He has proven himself as a quality player at ECSU and now will have the opportunity to prove it again and the NCAA Division One level. His will be a big addition to the team. His brother Carson player in goal for the Blue Devils. We are thrilled to have Cooper as a Blue Devil and have him finish hsi collegiate career playing alongside his younger brother" - Head Coach Shaun Green

DAQUAN KING - Plainville, CT - Forward
A transfer from Southern Connecticut State University, King was named to All-Northeast-10 Rookie Team and also earned All-NE-10 Second Team and Third Team honors during his three years at SCSU. In three seasons with the Owls, he scored 18 goals and had nine assists. A native of Plainville, CT, he attended Plainville High School and earned All-New England and All-State honors. Helped the Blue Devils win two conference championships and is Plainville's all-time leading goal scorer (67 career goals). 

"Daquan is a proven goalscorer, creative and explosive. We are so fortunate to have Daquan for a year at CCSU. He brings alot college experience and a maturity factor which is key to compete for the NEC Championships and NCAA's. I can't wait to see Daquan in action this fall" - Head Coach Shaun Green

ISAC MANSSON - Stockholm, Sweden - Midfield
An attacking midfielder, Mansson played for the largest club in Europe as a youth, IF Brommapojkarna. Started every game for FC Djursholm in the U17 Allsvenskan before returning to FC Bromma. Helped his team to a third-place finish in the U19 Allsvenskan Norra. 

"Isac is a brilliant attacking midfielder. He can open up the game with his wide range of passing ability. He is going to be a very creative player for our team and we cant wait to see him in Connecticut in August" - Head Coach Shaun Green.

ANDRES MURIEL - Sevilla, Spain - Midfield
Muriel comes to CCSU after winning the U19 Liga with the Real Betis youth in 2015. He has also won the U16 Liga and helped Real Betis to second-place in the 2013 U16 Preferente Liga. Muriel totaled 80 goals and 54 assists in three seasons with Real Betis. 

"Andres is an outstanding goalscorer with great speed and dribbling ability. We are very fortunate he decided to sign with CCSU over many other schools. He is going to be a very exciting player for our fans this season. We are looking forward to seeing Andres in Connecticut this August" - Head Coach Shaun Green

ROBIN OLOFSSON - Stockholm, Sweden - Defense
Olofsson captained IF Brommapojkarna to the U17 Swedish Championship. He was also co-captain of IF Brommapojkarna's U19 team, which finished second. Advanced to the final of the Gothia Cup with IF Brommapojkarna, falling to Everton and participated in the Dallas Cup in 2014.

"Robin is an outstanding defender with great composure and distribution. He is a strong tackler and good in the air. His abilty to read the game is also very good. He comes to the Blue Devils with vast expereince for a young player. He will make an immediate impact in our run for a champiosnhip this season" - Head Coach Shaun Green.

DESHAWN PARKER - East Liverpool, OH - Midfield
Transfer from Alderson Broaddus University in Philippi, WV, who played two seasons for the Battlers and scored 13 goals with five assists. He led team with eight goals and five assists as a rookie and tied for team lead with five goals as a sophomore. Parker was named Great Midwest Athletic Conference First Team in 2015 and earned Second Team honors in 2014 along with being named the 2014 ECAC Rookie of the Year. He graduated from Beaver Local High School in East Liverpool, OH, where he scored 57 goals with 13 assists as a senior. He was named Ohio vs. West Virginia All-Star Offensive Player of the Year and was a two-time First Team All-District. Parker ranks fourth all-time in Ohio for single-season goals.

"Deshawn could possibly be the fastest player in the league this year. He has incredible 1v1 skills and provides quality service from the flanks. He will be a handful for our opponents this fall" - Head Coach Shaun Green

HALVARD RAMSTAD - Oslo, Norway - Defense
Ramstad is a central defender standing 6-foot-2. He grew up playing with the FC Lyn youth academy and was selected to attend the Norwegian Elite Sports Athletes School. He also attended Nydalen Vgs, which is the highest ranked high school in Oslo. A captain for FC Lyn, he helped lead the team to the highest division for academy players. 

"Halvard is a very special player. He is an exceptionally strong central defender with great leadership qualities. He is dominant in the air and skillful with the ball at his feet. He possess good passing skills and likes to play out from the back. I expect Halvard to play a very important role in our goal to win the championship this season. His parents Jen and Vibeke have provided great support in Halvard's endeavor ro pursue his soccer and academic goals. We feel very fortunate to have Halvard as a Blue Devil for the next four years" - Head Coach Shaun Green

JAMES THOMPKINS - Plainville, CT - Midfield
Thompkins is a transfer from UMass Lowell who appeared in 13 games as a freshman and made eight starts and will have three years of eligibility remaining. He played at Plainville High School before attending the The Watkinson School in Hartford, CT. At the Watkinson School, he helped the team win the New England Prep Schools Class D New England Championship, along with Housatonic Valley Athletic League All-Conference and Connecticut Independent School Athletic Conference championships. He was named Central Connecticut Conference South All-Conference at Plainville and helped the squad reach the semifinals.

"James is a versatile player who can help us in a variety of positions. He will compete for playing time from day one. He is extremely athletic and skillful. James is a competitor on the field and a very serious student. He has been provided great guidance from his parent's Kathy and James. I am looking forward to seeing James in a Blue Devil uniform this spring" - Head Coach Shaun Green.