Richmond Kickers News Release - www.richmondkickers.com

Thursday, April 17, 2008

RICHMOND, VA -- The Richmond Kickers are pleased to announce the addition of forward Pat Viray out of Virginia Commonwealth University and welcome back midfielder Ralph Pace for his sophomore season in 2008, pending USSF approval. The club also signed former Cape Cod Crusader Stanley Nyazamba. Specific details of the contracts were not disclosed.

“Ralph was our most improved player last season and we are looking for him to continue that progression by competing for a starting position in the center of midfield,” comments Leigh Cowlishaw, Richmond Kickers Head Coach. “Pat will be another attacking option for our three pronged attack. He has great pace, can play both central and wide and, most importantly, an uncanny knack of scoring important goals.”

Viray signs on with the Kickers professional team upon the conclusion of his collegiate career, where he tallied 15 goals and eight assists over four seasons at VCU. The 5’11” native of Reston, Virginia finished third on the team his senior year with six goals and five assists for 17 points, earning seven starts in 20 appearances, after leading the Rams with six goals and 12 points his sophomore year. As a senior at South Lakes High School, Viray was named First Team All-District.

The first Kickers youth player to be signed to a Kickers professional contract, Pace joined the team mid-season out of the University of South Carolina. Pace was a member of the 2001 Kickers Super Y-League team and participated in numerous Kickers academies and clinics. As a rookie, he made four starts in seven appearances and recorded an assist during his first professional start on July 6th in New Hampshire.

At the University of South Carolina, Pace was an All-Conference Second Team selection in 2006, notching one goal and three assists for five points his senior season. Joining the Gamecocks program in 2005 after spending two seasons at UMass, Pace started all 21 matches his junior year. In two seasons at UMass, the 6’2” defender tallied four goals and eight assists for 16 points, finishing his sophomore season third on the team in scoring (3g, 4a, 10p).

The Richmond Kickers are pleased to announce the signing of Zimbabwean midfielder Stanley Nyazamba, pending USSF and visa approval. Nyazamba joins the roster upon completion of his collegiate career at Lee University and a stint with the Cape Cod Crusaders of the Premier Development League (PDL). Specific details of the contract were not disclosed.

“Stanley will quickly become a fan favorite as he possesses an abundance of skill and finesse and suits the Kickers attacking style of play,” comments Richmond Kickers Head Coach Leigh Cowlishaw. “We first noticed him at a MLS combine in January and he impressed again in Tuesday’s game versus the University of Richmond. We are fortunate to have signed him so close to the start of the season.”

Drafted in the second round of the 2008 Major Indoor Soccer League College Draft by the Detroit Ignition, the native of Bulawayo, Zimbabwe joins the Kickers professional squad upon gradating from Lee University of the NAIA Conference (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics). The three-time All-Conference First Team honoree earned a place on the 2007 All-American First Team and was named a NAIA All-American Scholar Athlete his senior season. During his tenure at Lee, the Flames posted a record of 53-14-2 and made two NAIA National Tournament appearances. Adding 12 goals and 20 assists his senior year, the 6’1” midfielder finished with 28 goals and 44 points over three seasons, eclipsing the All-Time Assists Leader at Lee University with 60 assists overall.

Nyazamba also brings PDL experience to Richmond after spending the 2007 season with the Cape Cod Crusaders, recording four assists in 14 appearances.

The Kickers open the 2008 regular season this Saturday, April 19th against the Western Mass Pioneers. Kickoff is set for 7:00 pm at the University of Richmond Stadium (just off the Downtown Expressway). Fans are encouraged to purchase a 15th Anniversary coupon for $15, which allows admittance for an unlimited number of friends, family members and coworkers. Visit RichmondKickers.com to order a 15th Anniversary coupon in advance. This offer is not available at the gate.