Harrisburg City Islanders News Release - www.cityislanders.com

Thursday, February 19, 2009

HARRISBURG, PA – The Harrisburg City Islanders announced the signing of forward Chad Severs for the 2009 season, pending USSF approval. Severs makes his return to the City Islanders, where he spent the 2005 season, after spending the past three seasons with the Rochester Rhinos of USL-1.

In a move designed to improve the attacking options at Head Coach Bill Becher’s disposal, the signing of Severs should aide the Islanders in finding the back of the net on a more consistent basis in 2009 as Severs brings a history of goal scoring with him in his return to Harrisburg. Having pocketed a tidy 22 goals in 33 appearances for the club, which includes the 2005 season and a few loan spells in 2006 and 2007, Severs has become the all-time franchise leader in goals scored.

“Obviously we are very comfortable with what Chad brings to the squad and we are keenly aware of his goal scoring abilities,” said Becher. “When the chance to bring him back to Harrisburg came up a few weeks ago we felt it was a move that we had to make, and we’re very pleased to have Chad in the squad. He’s a solid professional and I believe he immediately makes us a better team.”

In his three years with Rochester, Severs played in 24 regular season matches for the Rhinos, tallying three goals and an assist.

Severs’ goal scoring and work rate are well documented. A highly touted prospect fresh off of a superlative career at Penn State University, Severs entered the pro ranks having already built a highly impressive profile. The 5-10, 175-pound point producer scored 38 goals and 90 points in 85 games (2001-2004) with the Nittany Lions, leading the team in scoring for three straight years from 2002-2004. His best season came as a sophomore in 2002, when he scored 17 goals and 37 points and earned an Honorable Mention nod on the College Soccer News Division One All-American Team. 

Severs’ litany of honors includes three Mid-Atlantic All-Region selections; 2002-Third Team, 2003-Second Team, 2004-Second Team, and three Big Ten All-Conference picks; 2001-Second Team, 2002-First Team, 2004-Second Team. Severs was also the Big Ten Rookie of the Year in 2001.

The Harrisburg City Islanders will open the home portion of their 2009 season on Saturday, April 25th, against the Western Mass. Pioneers at 7:05pm at Skyline Sports Complex on City Island. For more information on tickets, either individual games, or season ticket plans, please contact the Islanders front office at 717-441-4625 or via the team website, www.cityislanders.com.