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The third and final installment of the SMSPCU (I really just wanted to use PCU in an acronym... love that movie). Today we're taking a gander into the transfer market. While not as lucrative or rumor filled as the professional silly season, there were some movings and shakings going on within the college ranks.
First of note would be former midfielder and all around quality player Jordan Vale. Vale was a stalwart performer last year for the Orange, earning All-Freshman distinctions from College Soccer News and All Big East third team honors. The New Zealand native has opted to head to the west coast, transferring to UCLA for the upcoming season. His attacking prowess will be missed in the midfield, but we should be able to fill some of the gaps with the returners as well as the incoming transfers.
Korab Syla
Syla comes to us from Yonkers, by way of Herkimer County Community College. HCCC is historically one of the best Junior College programs in the country. Syla led them to the back to back NJCAA National Championships, the latest coming on the heels of a 6 goal and 21 assist season. He was named the NJCAA Division III Player of the Year and racked up a boatload of All-everything honors. He should slot right into the mix in Coach McIntyre's midfield. I haven't seen him on the pitch, but judging by the numbers, Syla should be a very quality distributor with good vision from the #10 role this year.
Emmanuel Kollie
Kollie played club ball with a whole breadth of Syracuse players over the past season at Ocean City Nor'Easters FC: Tyler Hilliard, Nick Perea, Jordan Murrell, Tony Asante and the subject of our next transfer, Keegan Balle. His collegiate career began at Otero Junior College, where he was a JUCO All-Region player and helped Otero to solid national finishes over his years there. Kollie is listed as a M/F and should provide depth/quality minutes there. His high school ball was played at Father Judge in PA where he was a standout in the area.
Keegan Balle
Keegan Balle comes to the Orange as well decorated as our other two transfers. After three successful years at Bradley University, Balle has moved north to Join the Orange. He was an All MVC performer last year, earning second team honors. CollegeSoccerMadness.com liked him enough to garner him with Fourth Team All-American honors. Looks like Ocean City FC is the coming together point for all future Syracuse players. Balle was also a member of the squad with the above mentioned Orange. He was a member of the Chicago Fire's academy system at the U15/16 ranks. Either in midfield or defense, Balle should contribute on the offensive end, as he led Bradley in goals last year with 7 (4 from the spot) and racked up 4 assists.
Coach Tim Oswald of the Ocean City Nor'Easters on Keegan:
"Keegan is just a flat out quality soccer player. He does the big things well and the small things even better. He grew up in the Chicago Fire organization and has done very well at the college level serving as Bradley’s 9th All-American. He can play in tight spaces and open the game up. He can ping a ball for sure and will allow us to make a variety of tactical adjustments based on match situation. His experience in big games compliments his accomplishments on the field as a player."