Soccer Players Shehadeh and Anyabuike Honored During Senior Day

Washington, DC: October 23, 2010-- The University of the District of Columbia Firebirds Soccer Team honored two of its members today, during a Senior Day pre-match ceremony at the soccer match against the  East Stroudsburg University Warriors in Washington, DC.  Samer Shehadeh ( Criminal Justice-Falls Church, VA) and Odingas Anyabuike (Economics-Washington, DC)  were recognized for their contributions to the Team during their playing careers.

Although UDC lost the match, 3-0, it did not dampen the spirits of the team or spectators on the celebration of this important milestone of these player's careers. UDC Head Soccer Coach Khary Stockton lauded the players with statements citing their contributions and then presented each with a large framed jersey with their uniform number on it.

Samer Shehadeh is senior captain.  He maintains a 3.0 cumulative average with a concentration in Administration of Justice.  Sam has logged over 4500 minutes of play during his soccer career representing the Firebirds.  Sam has patrolled for the better part of four years the left side of midfield.  He has been one of the few left sided players on the team.  His total production is 10 goals and had one assist.    Future goals include law school or working for the Justice department. 

 Odingas Anyabuike is a senior defender/midfielder.  He has a cumulative average of 3.2 with a concentration in Economics.  Odingas is a skillful, athletic player whose skills will be missed.  He has been consistent over the course of his career with the Firebirds where he has logged over 4000 minutes played.  In 2008, he was voted "Defender of the Year" by his teammates.  Odingas is a committed student who always puts academics first. Goals after graduation include working for the World Bank or International American Development Bank. Odingas resides with his parents in our Nation's Capital. 

Although UDC outshot East Stroudsburg 19-13, during the match,  a series of errant attempts to get the ball over the goal line along with 4 saves by Warrior goalie Troy Hernandez kept the Firebirds off the scoreboard, while the Warriors converted 3 of their 13 shots into goals.  The Firebirds saw most of their shots on goal going wide, high, or bounce off the goal post.

 UDC goal keeper Kyle Heatherington (Business-Collingwood, Ontario Canada) also made 4 saves from the 7 shots he faced on goal. Shehadeh and sophomore forward Adriel Garcia were the leading shot takers for the Firebirds, with 4 shots apiece.

 Two Warrior goals were scored by Marc DeFeo; the first at 13 minutes with an assist from Drew Repsher on a free kick, and the second at 81 minutes unassisted when he took the ball down the right side and kicked it straight into the net. The third Warrior goal came in the 17th minute when Matthew Geidner took a serve from a corner kick by Khriswayne Wallace and booted it into the net.

UDC dropped to 3-12-1 for the season, while East Stroudsburg improved to 11-5-0. The Firebirds hit the road next week for a re-match with the Lincoln University Lions on October 27, in Lincoln, Pennsylvania. They defeated the Lions 10-0 early in the season in Washington.