April 8, 2008

Men’s Soccer Signs Two for 2008

BILLINGS, Mont. – Montana State University Billings men’s soccer coach Dan McNally announced the signing of two student-athletes for the 2008 season.  Ross Carmichael and Garion Holian will join the Yellowjacket program this fall.

Carmichael, a native of Dorset, England, joins fellow Yellowjackets Scott Dixon, who also is from Dorset, and Sam Charles who played at Budmouth Technology College where Carmichael is now.  Carmichael won the state title as a center-midfielder in 2003 and was named to the all-state team in 2006 as well as being named Most Valuable Player in both 2005 and 2006. 

Playing with the Portland Club, Carmichael helped the team to a 26-0 record, scoring nine goals and reached the county final.  He also played on the Weymouth Club.

“Ross is a first class soccer player, McNally said.  “He comes from the same soccer background in England as current MSU Billings all-region student athletes Scott Dixon and Sam Charles and I expect him to make a similar impact on our squad.  He has great athleticism and excellent technique.  I expect him to be a leader in this program throughout his career and he has the potential to be a very special player at MSU Billings”

Holian was born in Houston, Texas, but went to high school in Missoula at Hellgate.  He was named Montana Gatorade Player of the Year as a senior midfielder.  He was an all-state selection his sophomore-senior years, as well as being named Western Conference Player of the Year as a senior. 

During his high school career, he scored 36 goals and had 10 assists and was a team caption as a junior and senior.  In addition to playing at Hellgate, he played club soccer with the Bozeman Blitzz and the Missoula Strikers as well as playing on the Region IV Olympic Development team.

“Last season Garion was the best high school soccer player in Montana,” McNally said.  “He has excellent technique and vision and I think he has the ability to be a great player here at MSU Billings.  Garion represents a change in how Men’s Soccer players in Montana view our soccer program at MSU Billings.  Just like in the 2007 class when we signed Chris Andre (Billings Senior ’07), Garion demonstrates that the best high school players in Montana want to play for MSU Billings men’s soccer.”