Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Two transfer student-athletes step into the spotlight for the Valparaiso University men’s soccer team as head coach Mike Avery today announced the addition of Roby Del Giudice (Bolton, Ontario, Canada/Wallace State [Ala.] C.C.) and Wei Ming Wong (Hong Kong/Southern Methodist University) to the 2009 recruiting class.  The central midfield pairing brings high level college and club experience to a Crusader squad seeking to replace six senior graduates from the 2008 team.

Del Giudice is a 6’1” attacking midfielder who will join the Crusaders in the fall with two seasons of eligibility remaining.  A two-time NJCAA All-Region and All-Conference selection, Del Giudice helped lead the Lions to a 15-3-0 record in 2008 as team captain.  He scored 16 goals and dished out 23 assists in his two years at Wallace State.

"Roby is a great find for our program from Coach Barry Spitzer and Wallace State in Alabama,” said Avery.  “He has the ability to step in immediately and add to our attack.  Roby is very simply a good soccer player.  He has great vision, is clean technically, is a good athlete, possesses a high soccer IQ, and is an experienced and mature player.  Roby can score goals, but also creates goal scoring chances for his teammates.  He also is a responsible defender which is important to the team defending concept we embrace at Valparaiso.  Roby has had a lot of success with his Toronto Lynx Super 20s club team and at Wallace State, and we expect him to be at the forefront of our future success here as a Crusader.”

Wong is a 5’11” defensive midfielder who began classes at Valpo in January and will have three years of eligibility remaining.  He redshirted last year at SMU after making two appearances in 2007 for a squad that reached #1 in the nation and was an NCAA College Cup participant.  He previously was named the 2007 Youth Player of the Year with the Hong Kong Football Club.

“Wei Ming joined us in January as a transfer from SMU, and he has already proved his worth to the team,” said Avery.  “Wei Ming is a hard working player that sets the tone in the locker room and on the field.  His attitude for competition is infectious and that attitude has already started to work its way through the team.  Wei Ming is sound technically, and has a good feel for the game both in possession and defensively.  His experience with a top program like SMU under coaches Schellas Hyndman and Tim McClements has benefited his development, and we look forward to his contribution to our program.”