March 12, 2013
LEXINGTON, Ky. — Coming off a season in which Kentucky hosted the first round of the NCAA Tournament, men’s soccer head coach Johan Cedergren has announced the addition of five new members to the 2013 squad.
The newcomers are comprised of three Kentuckians – Kaelon Fox, Napo Matsoso, and Sam Miller – an Ohio native in Alex Bumpus and Wright State transfer Justin Laird.
“First and foremost this is a great group of young men that we have joining us this fall,” Cedergren said. “It is very important, to both me and my staff, that we get the best local and regional players if we believe they are a good fit. Of course all four are different both on and off the field but the one thing they all have in common is their passion for the University of Kentucky. “
Cedergren signed Fox and Matsoso out of Louisville St. Xavier and St. Francis, where both earned first-team all-state honors in Kentucky. Fox was also named “Mr. Soccer” by the KHSSCA and Player of the Year in Kentucky by NSCAA. Miller hails from right down the road from the UK campus at East Jessamine High School in Nicholasville, Ky., where Miller claimed a first-team all-state nod his junior season. Bumpus – a second-team all-state member in Ohio – played for Hilliard Davidson in Hilliard, Ohio, before signing with the Wildcats.
Bumpus played club with the MLS Columbus Crew Soccer Academy where he helped lead his team to two state championships (2009, 2010) and a Midwest Regional League title in 2010. Bumpus was listed by TopDrawerSoccer.com as a four-star defenseman, and the 19th-best defensemen in the 2013 class as well as No. 123 overall.
“Alex is a player that we have been tracking for a long time,” Cedergren said. “Alex is a great attacking full back that can also play in midfield if needed. Alex plays for one of the best club teams in the Midwest, Columbus Crew. “
Kaelon Fox
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Fox, a 6-foot-2, 155-pound midfielder, comes to Lexington via Louisville St. Xavier where he flourished by leading St. X to two state titles and being named NSCAA All-American following his 12-goal, six-assist senior season. A member of the club soccer team Javanon and most recently Lexington FC, Fox helped to bring a state club title to Javanon in 2008 and three semi-final appearances in 2009-2010 (Javanon) and again in 2012 (Lexington FC).
“Kaelon is coming to us as the reigning Kentucky player of the year,” Cedergren said. “Kaelon is a very good player that can play anywhere in the back for us or in midfield. Both Sam and Kaelon play for Lexington FC and have been receiving excellent coaching from Coach Matt Vogel.”
A talented 5-foot-6, 140-pound midfielder from Louisville, Ky., Matsoso comes to the University of Kentucky after spending time with St. Francis High School and his club team, the Rovers Youth Academy. Before moving to Kentucky to attend high school, Matsoso played for the Lesotho National Team.
“Napo comes from a college soccer family; he has one brother that plays for Northwestern and another that plays for University of Maryland.” Cedergren said. “Napo, just like the other four players we have coming in, can play multiple positions. Napo really impressed the staff last summer during our overnight camp. He is a player that will create and score lots of goal for us.”
Sam Miller
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Miller, a native of Nicholasville, Ky., has had a distinguished career at East Jessamine over the last four seasons. In addition, Miller has played for the Lexington Futbol Club 95 Premier squad since 2005 which also produced Kentucky signee Fox. A two-time all-state performer, Miller led East Jessamine to a 2010 Regional final as well as a No. 4 state ranking in 2009.
“Sam comes from a UK family; both of his parents as well as his grandfather have degrees from Kentucky.” Cedergren said. “Sam is a very good attacking player that will score and create goals for us during his four years here.”
Laird, a 6-foot, 168-pound midfielder comes to Kentucky after spending the last two seasons playing for the Wright State Raiders of the Horizon League.
A midfielder by trade, Laird holds the Wisconsin state record for assists in a season (27) as well as for a career (63). A four-year player for Hartford Union, Laird received all-state recognition as a junior and senior, helping the Orioles to four conference titles.“Justin Laird has been training with us since January and he comes to us from Wright State University,” Cedergren said.
“Justin is a player that can play either attacking midfield or forward. He scored seven goals his freshman year at WSU and I’m really looking forward to seeing him score lots of goals for us. Justin, along with Sam and Napo, will create a lot competition for the attacking players we have returning.”
SIGNEE BIOS
Alex Bumpus
5-11, 155, D
Hilliard, Ohio (Hilliard Davidson)
Pre-College
Played for Terry Smith at Hilliard Davidson High School in Ohio, earning three varsity letters … During the club season, Bumpus was under the guidance of Billy Thompson as a member of the Columbus Crew Soccer Academy … During his freshman season at Hilliard, Bumpus helped to lead the Wildcats to a 2009 District title while on the way to be naming team “Rookie of the Year” as well as Ohio Capital Conference Special Mention … During the 2009 club season, Bumpus helped win the Ohio state Club title and a berth in the Regional Final for the Crew … At the conclusion of Bumpus’ sophomore season, one in which he was named team captain by coaches and fellow teammates, Bumpus was named Top Midfielder by the team and his second consecutive OCC Special Mention … The club campaign brought another Ohio state title, Midwest Regional League Championship and a finalist at the Disney College Showcase … The 2011 junior season saw Bumpus named Hilliard MVP and first-team all-OCC, first-team all-district and second-team all-state.
Personal
Born Alex Grant Bumpus on Sept. 8, 1994 to Haidee Bumpus in Columbus, Ohio … Has a brother, Spencer (17) … Active in the community by volunteering as a youth soccer coach, as well as helping to run local soccer tournaments and camps … A three-time scholar-athlete, Bumphis plans to major in nursing at UK … Choose Kentucky over Michigan, Old Dominion and Ohio Wesleyan.
Kaelon Fox
6-2, 155, MF
Louisville, Ky. (St. Xavier)
Pre-College
A Kentucky native, Fox was a four-year letterman for Louisville St. Xavier under the tutelage of coach Andy Schulten … For the club seasons, Fox played for Javanon under coach Joe Williams from 2004-2011 and for Lexington FC under coach Matt Vogel from 2011 to present … During his freshman year of club soccer with Javanon, Fox helped lead the team to a state championship while earning a spot on the ODP State Team … The 2009 club season saw a second appearance for Javanon in the state title game, this time claiming a state runner-up trophy and Fox’s second consecutive ODP state title nomination … Fox’s junior season at St. X led to two goals and two assists, while St. X compiled a 27-1-1 record overall and claimed a Kentucky state title, as well as a NSCAA No. 6 National Final Ranking … For the Javanon club, Fox helped lead them to a third consecutive finals appearance and a second runner-up finish in the state tournament … For Fox’s last season at St. X, he netted 12 goals and tallied six assists while earning All-District, Region, Catholic, State and “Mr. Soccer” honors in the state of Kentucky by KHSSCA … Fox was also awarded All-American honors by NSCAA and NSCAA Player of the Year for the state of Kentucky.
Personal
Born May 31, 1995 in Atlanta, Ga., as Kaelon Paul Fox to David and Gina Fox … Has a brother, Cory Barrios (30) … A member of the National Honor Society and a NSCAA Scholar All-American Team, Fox participated in community service around Louisville with Boo at the Zoo, American Red Cross Blood Drive and the YMCA … Plans to major in health sciences at Kentucky … Choose UK, over Notre Dame, Xavier, Ohio State, Louisville, Michigan State and several others.
Napo Matsoso
5-6, 140, MF
Louisville, Ky. (St. Francis)
Pre-College
The second Kentucky and Louisville native, Matsoso comes to UK after spending high school at St. Francis High School under the coaching tutelage of Ralph Marshall … Played with the club team Rovers Youth Academy and head coach Nathan Pitcock … Matsoso was named MVP at St. Francis his freshman year by scoring a staggering 29 goals and dishing out 19 assists … The club season in 2009 was a successful one for Matsoso as he helped to lead his team to a State Cup final… The next season for St. Francis, Matsoso netted 16 goals and 10 more assists … Another State Cup playoff for Matsoso ended a game shy of the finals when his team was defeated in the semi-finals … During Matsoso’s junior season, he found the back of the net 12 times, while connecting with a teammate for nine assists on the way to being named Most Outstanding Player and receiving first-team all-state honors … His senior campaign ended with 15 goals scored and eight more assists … A member of the Lesotho national team.
Personal
Full name Napo Davis Matsoso … Son of Marc and Pam Maguire … Born May 28, 1994 in Maseru, Lesotho … Has a five brothers, James (22), Lepe (21), Sunny (21), Marc (19), and Setho (18) …Brother Lepe is currently a member of the Northwestern University soccer team, Sunny plays for Maryland University and James plays for Mount St. Joseph’s College in Ohio … Father, Marc attended Kentucky as well as his older brother Marc who is currently enrolled at UK … Active in the community by helping at the Americana Community Center in 2009 and 2012, The Falls of Ohio in 2010 and 2011 … Will look to major in business management while in Lexington … Choose Kentucky over Louisville, Butler and UAB.
Sam Miller
5-7, 143, F
Lexington, Ky. (East Jessamine)
Pre-College
The third Kentuckian in the class hails from down the road at East Jessamine High School in Nicholasville, Ky., where Miller was coached by Tom Morgan … A four time letter winner at East Jessamine, Miller, along with current UK classmate Kaelon Fox, has played club soccer for Lexington Futbol Club 95 under the guidance of Matt Vogel since 2005 … While with Lexington FC, Miller helped lead the team to a state final in both 2009 and 2010, capitalizing on nine goals and recording six assists while Lexington FC ended the year 13-5-7 … During his sophomore year, Miller was named team captain and helped to lead East Jessamine to a regional final while earning all-state honorable mention and all-district team honors as the team’s leading scorer and MVP… The same season for club, Miller saw action in the Crossroads of America Showcase, and led Lexington FC to a MRL 1st Division Championship while scoring ten times and setting up five goals as the team finished 17-3-1 on the season … The 2011 campaign for East Jessamine saw another season with Miller as captain, leading scorer and offensive MVP. Miller also was named all-district for the second consecutive year and first-team all-state … The club season saw Miller score a unprecedented 17 goals and picked up seven assists, as Lexington FC reached another state final, a CASL Showcase Championship as well as Disney Showcase Championship from the Copa Division … During Miller’s senior season, Miller was named captain for the third straight time at East Jessamine.
Personal
Born Samuel Grey Miller on Sept. 10, 1994 to Craig and Sherry Miller in Lexington, Ky. … Has one brother, Cameron (20) who is also a member of the Centre College soccer team … A third-generation Wildcat, as both parents as well as his grandfather attended Kentucky … A member of the National Honor Society, Youth Salute and named to an NSCAA High School All-American Scholar in 2013 … A volunteer with the Humane Society, as well as Jessamine Co. Road Clean-Up Crew, Meals on Wheels, Pass-Back Program Coordinator, peer tutor for disabled classmates and a volunteer assistant coach for LFC club teams during the off-season … Choose UK over Navy, Evansville and Davidson.
Justin Laird
6-0, 168, MF
Milwaukee, Wis. (Hartford Union)
Pre-UK (Wright State)
A native of Wisconsin, Laird comes to Lexington via Wright State University in Ohio … Laird has played in a total of 35 matches for the Raiders over the past two seasons … Netting a total of seven goals in his freshman season, Laird was named to the Horizon League Newcomer team after his freshman season in 2011, in which he led the Raiders in points (15) and goals (7) … Registered a total of 20 shots, with 10 on-goal during the sophomore campaign which included 15 games in which Laird saw action.
Pre-College
Attended Hartford Union High School in Hartford, Wis., where Laird was under the guidance of coach Jack De Selm … Played club soccer for the North Shore United while being named a Regional Player to Watch … A four-year starter for the Orioles, Laird led Hartford Union to four consecutive conference titles and a state playoff berth … Was selected three-time all-conference and all-area honoree, as well as being named all-state his junior and senior seasons … Currently, Laird holds the Wisconsin state record for assists in a season (27) and a career (63).
Personal
Born Justin Laird on July 15, 1993 … Has two siblings: brother Evan and sister Jenna.
