Kickers name GK Ronnie Pascale Player/Assistant for 2012

Official Kickers Press Release:

RICHMOND, VA – (Monday, February 13, 2012) – The Richmond Kickers continue their strong tradition of hiring from within the organization, naming veteran goalkeeper Ronnie Pascale player/assistant coach for the 2012 season, pending USL and USSF approval.

“Ronnie is a welcome addition to the pro team coaching staff as he brings extensive playing and coaching experience to our squad,” commented Leigh Cowlishaw, Richmond Kickers Head Coach and Director of Soccer.  “He understands firsthand the expectations, tradition and culture we demand from our players and I look forward to working closely with him this season to produce a team capable of winning a Championship.”

"I'm excited to play one more season with the Kickers and finish my professional career here in Richmond,” added Pascale.  “It's been an amazing journey and to be able to play my last year while celebrating the Kickers 20th Anniversary means a lot.”

“I'm very grateful to Leigh and the Kickers organization for selecting me for the assistant coach role, and I'm looking forward to a successful 2012 campaign,” continued Pascale.  “I know it's going to be an extremely fun season for the Kickers and our fans, and I'm just happy to be a part of it and to be able to play one more season in front of my family and the best fans in the league."

A franchise player entering his 13^th season with the Kickers, Pascale has been Richmond’s starting goalkeeper since 2002, logging over 25,000 minutes in a Kickers uniform.  Consistently one of the top netminders in the league, Pascale backstopped the team to the USL PRO and U.S. Open Cup Semifinals in 2011, ending the campaign with a miniscule 0.960 goals against average in 30 games played.  Shoring up one of the best defensive units in the league, the experienced goalkeeper led the back line to a career-best 11 shutouts in 2011, while allowing just 29 goals on the season.  The longtime Kickers veteran tops the all-time games played list with 279 appearances and is a three-time USL Goalkeeper of the Year, honored in 2006, 2007 and 2009.

Named Southern Conference Rookie of the Year in 1995, Pascale was a four-year starter at Furman University and was named to the Southern All-Conference team four times, Conference Goalkeeper of the year three times, and was twice named to the Second Team All-South.  After his senior season, Pascale was named the Furman Male Athlete of the Year (1998/99).

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