|
|
SM's Eric Carpenter signs to play soccer for Lenoir-Rhyne (continued) |
|
Carpenter is SM's career leader in goals (62), points (155) and multiple goal games (12). He holds season records for goals (37), points (88) and penalty kicks (8). His two PKs in a game are also a record.
"His best soccer is ahead of him, given his athletic ability and dedication," SM Coach Dolphus Brown said. "I really think with the right coaching he's going to get better and better." Carpenter was Western Athletic Conference player of the year as a senior. He was named first-team all-region 12 and All-Western North Carolina. He was all-conference as a junior. Carpenter was place kicker for the Mustang football team. "I think he'll end up being a force with them and be a big part of the picture," Brown said. "He's strong and he's going to get stronger. He's got good speed. His skills are good, and they're going to get better." As good a player as the Bears are getting, Brown said they may be getting an even better person. "He's not only going to be an asset to their program but also to their college," Brown said. "He's a first class young man." Those feelings were echoed by L-R Coach Kevin Demers. "I like the fact he's a great kid," Demers said. "One of the biggest things about athletics today is character. He sure has got a lot of it. The fact he's an outstanding soccer player makes it even better for us." Demers said he would wait until this fall to determine where Carpenter will fit in with the Bears. "He's coming to a team with a lot of experience so he's not going to have to make an impact right away," he said. "He's going to have a good chance to learn. If he works hard and improves this summer, he'll have an opportunity to play some early." Lenoir-Rhyne is a member of the NCAA Division II South Atlantic Conference. The Bears were 8-12 last year and finished seventh in the league. |
Back to Sports: 04/27/00.Back to Archive: 04/27/00. |