Richmond Kickers News Release - www.richmondkickers.com

Wednesday, February 6, 2008

RICHMOND, VA -- The Richmond Kickers are pleased to announce the recent addition of forward Ben Hunter to the 2008 roster, pending visa approval. Specific details of the contracts were not disclosed.

“Ben is a great addition to our squad,” comments Leigh Cowlishaw, Richmond Kickers Head Coach and Vice President, Soccer Programs. “The coaching staff have followed his career closely while he played at UNC Chapel Hill and Carolina Dynamo. Ben is a very talented individual who has a proven record of scoring goals.”

Hunter was drafted by the Columbus Crew in the fourth round of the 2007 MLS SuperDraft after leading the University of North Carolina in scoring for two consecutive seasons. He made four appearances on loan with Richmond’s USL-2 rival Cleveland City Stars during the 2007 season where he earned USL-2 Team of the Week honors for registering a goal during Cleveland’s 2-0 win over Bermuda.

The 6’0” native of Doncaster, England played two seasons at the University of Chapel Hill where he amassed 17 goals and 10 assists for 44 points in 41 games played. Spending his first two collegiate seasons at the NAIA University of Rio Grande in Ohio, Hunter totaled 43 goals and 17 assists in two seasons. Leading the team to the NAIA national title in 2003, the 2004 American Mideast Conference South Division Player of the Year earned consecutive All-Conference and All-Regional honors.

In the USL Premier Development League, Hunter made 26 appearances with the Carolina Dynamo over two seasons (2005, 2006) and registered eight goals and 11 assists for 27 points. Additionally, he tallied the game-winning goal against the Kickers during the 2006 US Open Cup, ousting Richmond from tournament play.