Thursday, February 25, 2010

Nice write up on the Palumbo's

Both Rob and Steve have committed to UNH for next season, it will be exciting to watch them continue to play together.

Thursday, February 4, 2010

Palumbos Sign National Letters of Intent

On Wednesday, Bridgton Academy Soccer standouts Rob and Steve Palumbo (Kingston, NH) signed National Letters of Intent to play soccer at the University of New Hampshire next fall.

Rob and Steve Palumbo sign their National Letters of Intent to the University of New Hampshire. They are joined by Bridgton Head Soccer Coach Kevin Mellon.

The Palumbos, New Hampshire natives, credited the university saying, "Its close to home, they have a great coach (Rob Thompson) who we have known for a long time." Rob and Steve join a long line of family members to attend UNH, which includes their sister Diana '07, as well as aunts, uncles and cousins.

During their time as Wildcats the Palumbos have goals for themselves, Steve said, "I want to have a good soccer career, show well personally, but also make the team better so we can do well in the conference and make the NCAA tournament." Rob had similar aspirations stating, "I want to continue to succeed in soccer, but also focus on academics in case soccer doesn't follow through."

The twins chose to attend Bridgton Academy because as Rob said, "We only applied to UNH, and Bridgton was the back up plan, to increase test scores, and GPAs." Steve saw the year as one, "to grow and get better, become prepared for the college level."

Giving credit to Bridgton Steve said, "Academically, its hard not to do well here because there are so many opportunities to get work done, and there is not much else going on around here. You can do work, and then go train because we have the facilities and (Head Athletic Trainer) Sawicki does a great job with the workout programs." Rob said he has become, "more focused on school, I have increased my GPA, and physically gotten better thanks to Coach Mellon running the program well, with the right training."

Head Coach Kevin Mellon had the following to say about his players, "Rob is one of the nicest and most genuine players I have ever had the pleasure of coaching. He always wants to learn more and do more. He knows what he needs to do every day."

Rob compiled the following stats over the Fall season:
- Games Played - Games Started: 15-15
- Goals: 18 (1 game winner)
- Assists: 13 (1st)
- Points: 49 (2nd)

vs. Bowdoin College JV: 3 goals (1st game)
vs. Navy Prep: 3 goals
vs. Winchendon School: 1 goal & 1 assist
vs. Bowdoin College JV: 3 goals & 4 assists
vs. Holderness School: 2 goals & 3 assists
vs.Kents Hill School: 1 goal
vs. Hyde School (ME): 2 goals & 2 assists
vs. Tilton School: 1 goal & 2 assists
vs. Winchendon School: 1 assist
vs. South Kent School: 1 goal (3-1 victory over the only other undefeated team in NEPSAC)
vs. Hebron Academy: 1 goal

- Bridgton Academy Player of the Month: September '09
- 1st Semester GPA: 3.35
- Academic Honors: 1st & 2nd Quarters
- Faculty Class Award: World War II
- Community Service: Wolverines in Training Soccer Clinic

"Steve is the true definition of a leader. It is odd for a young man to come into a program like this (being one-year) and lead the team from Day 1. He led by example both on and off the pitch. He is a great student-athlete and a play maker."

Steve had the following statistics:
- Games Played - Games Started: 15-15
- Goals: 11 (3 game winners)
- Assists: 7
- Points: 29 (4th)

vs. Bowdoin College JV: 1 assist
vs. Providence Country Day School: 1 assist
vs. Thayer Academy: 1 assist
vs. Milton Academy: 1 goal
vs. Winchendon School: 2 goals
vs. Kents Hill School: 3 goals & 1 assist
vs. Hyde School (ME): 1 goal & 2 assists
vs. Tilton School: 2 goals
vs. South Kent School: 2 goals (3-1 victory over the only other undefeated team in NEPSAC)
vs. Hebron Academy: 1 assist

- Team Captain
- 1st Semester GPA: 3.75
- High Honors: 1st & 2nd Quarter
- Community Service: Wolverines in Training Soccer Clinic

Coach Kevin Mellon is congratulated by former Wildcat, and current Bridgton Headmaster Grady Vigneau, during the signing of National Letters of Intent by Rob and Steve Palumbo.

Andrew Henshaw '08 Making Headlines

Bridgton graduate Andrew Henshaw '08 has been named to the National Soccer Coaches Association of America All-Region Team. Henshaw a standout soccer player, is at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. For the full article follow the link: http://www.umassathletics.com/sports/m-soccer/spec-rel/121109aaa.html