Jan. 25, 2008

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Traverse City West High School star Casey Townsend will join the Maryland men's soccer team in the spring semester of 2008, announced January 25 by head coach Sasho Cirovski. Townsend is the first soccer player in Michigan history to be named the state's Mr. Soccer twice in his career and is ranked the No. 6 recruit in his class by Rise Magazine.

Townsend will be added to the roster in 2008 after graduating high school a semester early. He has enrolled at the University of Maryland for the spring semester.

"Casey is an outstanding young man and a terrific soccer talent," Cirovski said. "I am delighted to bring him into the Maryland soccer family. He is a great athlete who possesses a tremendous goal-scoring mentality. Having Casey train with us in the spring will expedite his progress and allow him to make a smooth transition into the collegiate game next season."

A three-time PARADE All-American as a sophomore and junior, Townsend has been a member of the United States Junior National Teams since 2006. He averaged more than one goal per game in his high school career and his 105 goals rank him second on Michigan's Class A/Division I all-time list. He also added 47 assists and 152 points, which ranks ninth in the history of the state in every division.

Townsend, a two-time high school All-American by the NSCAA and a two-time all-state performer, led Traverse City West to its first state soccer title as a junior, recording 26 goals and 11 assists that season. During the team's six-game postseason run, he scored in every match and notched the game-winner in both the semifinal and the championship game.

Townsend was also a member of the Region II Olympic Development Program 1989 Team and played for the powerful Vardar Soccer Club in Michigan.