TORONTO LYNX MEDIA RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
VETERAN TRIO RESIGN FOR 2006
THURSDAY APRIL 6, 2006 (TORONTO, ON) The Toronto Lynx announced the signing of four players in preparation for their 10th season which kicks off on April 22, 2006 when the Lynx head south to take on the Virginia Beach Mariners. Veterans Joe Mattacchione, Chris Williams and Robbie Aristodemo inked new contracts, while Marko Bedenikovic signed his first deal with the club.
Mississauga’s Mattacchione, in addition to serving as Assistant Coach, will be entering his seventh season with the club. The midfielder/defender has been a valuable leader both on and off the squad throughout the years and ranks in third place behind only David DiPlacido and Brian Ashton in games played over his career, with 147 appearances in the yellow and black. His veteran leadership will be key in helping the Lynx bounce back from a challenging season and contend for a playoff position.
Defender Williams returns for his sophomore season with the Lynx and will be counted on to anchor the Lynx defense which ranked second-last in the USL First Division in goals conceded last season. The Scarborough native has worn the maple leaf representing Canada on 23 occasions at various levels throughout his career, including 1 cap with the World Cup squad in January, 2003 versus the United States. His sister Jennifer is a member of the Lady Lynx, underscoring the tremendous soccer talent of this family.
Fan-favourite Aristodemo will join the club following the completion of the MISL playoffs. He is a key member of the Baltimore Blast who currently sit tied for second with one game remaining in the regular season schedule in this indoor league. The 2001 A-League Rookie of the Year and Lynx MVP will be playing his fifth season with the club and his team-mates will look to him to be the set-up man for the attack. His 11 career assists rank him behind only Niki Vignjevic in team history.
Rookie Bedenikovic joins the Lynx fresh off a championship in the CPSL in 2005 with the Oakville Blue Devils. The 21-year old defender from Mississauga brings a youthful presence to the defense and will push the veterans for playing time throughout the season.
“It’s important for us to retain our core of returning players,” said head Coach Duncan Wilde, “while complementing them with young local talent who can help lead the way for us in the future.”
Junior Lynx off to Scotland with Canadian U18 Squad
Winger Dane Roberts, from the Toronto Lynx Jrs. U-17 Squad has been selected by Canada’s Technical Director and Men’s U-18 National Team head coach, Richard Bate, to the Canada’s roster for the team’s upcoming two-game series against Scotland’s Schoolboys. The team travelled to Scotland on April 3 and will play the Scottish Schoolboys team on April 11th and 13th in Banffshire before returning home on the next day.
Lady Lynx Open Trials
The Lady Lynx 2006 roster is starting to come together for the upcoming season. Danny Stewart, the head coach of the Lady Lynx will be holding Open Trials on Saturday April 8 at 10:00 PM at Iceland Mississauga. Interested players should contact Rob Irwin @ 416-251-4625 x 23 to reserve a spot for the session.
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FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
ROB IRWIN, DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS, TORONTO LYNX SOCCER CLUB
416-251-4625 ext. 23
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