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 [ 4-4-2006 ]Wagenaar Signs Professional Contract Inks Deal with ADO Den Haag in Holland ONEONTA, NY – Hartwick College junior goalkeeper Josh Wagenaar has signed a contract to play professional soccer with ADO Den Haag of the Eredivisie League in Holland. Wagenaar, will train with the club until his contract officially begins on July 1, 2006. The deal is for two years, with a club option for two additional years. “It’s a great opportunity for Josh,” said Hartwick College head coach Ian McIntyre. “He will be going into a situation where it’s a full-time, highly-challenging soccer environment. I have talked with Josh and his family over the past two years about his opportunities to play professionally, and the timing for Josh to make this move is right. It will give him the chance to further develop and make immediate progress in the professional ranks and with the Canadian National team.” Wagenaar ranks among the top goalkeepers in Hartwick history. He was named to the NSCAA All-Region team in both 2004 and 2005, and was honored as a first-team Atlantic Soccer Conference all star. He posted a 0.74 goals against average in 2005, ranking among the NCAA leaders. He played in just 12 games for the Hawks in 2005, as his season was cut short by a foot injury suffered in a win over St. John’s University. Wagenaar also missed Hartwick’s season opening game against Brown University, while he had been called up to the Canadian national team. For his career at Hartwick, Wagenaar played in 47 matches, posted a record of 34-7-5, and had a goal-against average of 0.74. “While we are very happy for Josh, obviously there is some sadness to see him go,” said McIntyre. “He has been a big part of our program for the last three years and he is a big part of the Hartwick soccer family.” ADO Den Haag currently plays in the top professional division in Holland. “It’s one of the most recognized leagues internationally,” said McIntyre. “It ranks with England, Italy and Spain, and the Eredivisie has some very recognizable teams such as Ajax and PSV Eindhooven.” ADO Den Haag is currently 7-17-3 this season. The Eredivisie regular season runs from August until April. For Hartwick, sophomore goalkeeper Joe Gibson will likely inherit the starting goalkeeper position for the 2006 season. Gibson played in nine games, making eight starts in Wagenaar’s absence. Gibson posted a 5-3 record and a 0.86 goals against average. He came in to the St. John’s match in relief of Wagenaar and finished the game as Hartwick upset the sixth-ranked team in the nation. Gibson also patrolled the nets for Hartwick’s wins in the ASC Championship, and played well in the Hawks’ loss to Seton Hall in the NCAA tournament. “Joe was arguably our best player in the Seton Hall game last year, and he played very well down the stretch for us,” said McIntyre. “I think he has the confidence of our team.” Hartwick posted a 13-6-1 record in 2005, and made its 23rd trip to the NCAA tournament. The Hawks won both the regular season and Hartwick will celebrate its 50 years of men’s soccer throughout the 2006 season. |
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