Written by Wayne Delphos on 01 February 2015
(courtesy Action Images/Columbus Crew SC)
Democratic Republic of the Congo international and attacking player to join Crew SC this summer; versatile attacker recently qualified for Knockout Stage of Africa Cup of Nations with his country’s senior National Team
COLUMBUS – Columbus Crew SC today announced that the club has acquired Cedrick Mabwati (SEHD-rick Ma-BWAH-ti), commonly known as Cedrick. An attacking threat, Cedrick has spent his entire professional career playing in Spain. Via a transfer, Crew SC has acquired Cedrick from Real Betis in Spain, and he will spend the remainder of his loan with Second Division side Osasuna this spring before joining the Black & Gold this summer following the conclusion of Osasuna’s campaign. Per club and MLS policy, additional details of the deal were not disclosed. Upon arrival, the 22-year-old with international experience with the Democratic Republic of the Congo National Team will officially be added to the Black & Gold roster pending receipt of his International Transfer Certificate
and P-1 Visa.
Cedrick is currently participating in the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations with the DR Congo National Team, having made appearances in each of his nation’s Group Stage matches. He appeared as a substitute in DR Congo’s opening match against Zambia on January 18, registering an assist. Cedrick then started subsequent Group Stage matches against Cape Verde (January 22) and Tunisia (January 26), helping the Leopards to an unbeaten record (0-0-3) in the group and a second place finish. That effort qualified the side for the Knockout Stage, where it will face Congo in the Quarterfinals tomorrow, on January 31.
The midfielder is set to come to Crew SC with topflight experience in La Liga, having spent the 2013-14 season playing at Spain’s highest level with Real Betis. The Democratic Republic of the Congo native has also spent four seasons playing in Spain’s Segunda Division for two separate clubs, where he has registered 13 goals and 12 assists in total, including a nine-goal campaign in 2010-11 for CD Numancia.
“Cedrick is a young, versatile player with international experience who can make an impact at any of our four attacking positions,” said Sporting Director and Head Coach Gregg Berhalter. “He is another player with considerable potential identified by our international scouting network and we look forward to him joining our team this summer.”
The 22-year-old began his career in the Atletico Madrid youth system, where he made 54 appearances over two seasons for Atletico Madrid B. He made his senior team debut in the Copa del Rey with a start against Recreativo Huelva before moving to Segunda Division side Numancia, where he made 40 appearances in his first season, scoring nine goals.
Cedrick played three seasons in total for Numancia before moving to the Primera Division and Real Betis, where he notched an assist against Spanish giants Real Madrid in his club debut. He also made 11 Europa League appearances for the club that season, including starts in the Knockout Stage against Rubin Kazan and Sevilla.
In late 2014, he transferred to his current club, Osasuna, where he has made 14 appearances in the current season, contributing three assists.
Prior to the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations, Cedrick earned six additional caps (nine total) in qualification matches for DR Congo. He helped guide the Leopards to a 3-3-0 record in qualification, adding one assist over the span.
Crew SC is currently in preseason in advance of the 2015 Major League Soccer campaign, highlighted by two stays in Florida and an Austin, Texas trip. Over the course of the preseason, the club will also participate in a pair of inaugural tournaments. Full information is available at ColumbusCrewSC.com.
The Black & Gold begin their 20th season on March 7 at Houston and return home for the Opening Match at Crew Stadium on Saturday, March 14 against Toronto FC. In celebration of the 20th campaign, the club is offering free customization to any fan that pre-orders his or her 2015 jersey. Once the jerseys have been revealed to the public, fans can select either the primary or secondary jersey along with any name and number they wish to add at no additional charge. This offer will be available at the Crew SC Shop at Crew Stadium or CrewSCShop.com. The pre-sale opportunity ends February 28.
TRANSACTION: Columbus Crew SC acquires Cedrick Mabwati via a transfer from Real Betis in Spain, and he will spend the remainder of his loan with Second Division side Osasuna this spring before joining the Black & Gold this summer following the conclusion of Osasuna’s campaign. He will officially be added to the Black & Gold roster this summer, pending receipt of his International Transfer Certificate and P-1 Visa.
Name: Cedrick Mabwati
Pronunciation: SEHD-rick Ma-BWAH-ti
Position: Midfielder
Height: 5’6″
Weight: 137
Born: March 8, 1992 in Kinshasa, DR Congo
Hometown: Kinshasa, DR Congo
Citizenship: DR Congo
Acquired: Acquired via a transfer from Real Betis in Spain, and he will spend the remainder of his loan with Second Division side Osasuna this spring before joining the Black & Gold this summer following the conclusion of Osasuna’s campaign. He will officially be added to the Black & Gold roster this summer, pending receipt of his International Transfer Certificate and P-1 Visa.
Previous Experience: Osasuna (2014-2015), Real Betis (2013-2014), Numancia (2010-2013), Atletico Madrid (2010-2011), Atletico Madrid B (2008-2010)
Website: ColumbusCrewSC.com | Twitter: @ColumbusCrewSC | Instagram: @ColumbusCrewSC | Hashtag: #CrewSC | Facebook.com/columbuscrewsc | Google+: +columbuscrewsc
ABOUT COLUMBUS CREW SC
Columbus Crew SC (Soccer Club) is the first club in Major League Soccer and 2015 is the organization’s 20th season. Owned and operated by Precourt Sports Ventures (PSV), it won its first MLS Cup championship in 2008, and has also won the 2002 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup and MLS Supporters’ Shield titles in 2004, 2008 and 2009. 2015 is Crew SC’s 17th season at historic Crew Stadium, the first soccer-specific stadium in the United States. The club was purchased by PSV on July 29, 2013 as part of the privately held investment and management firm’s sports and entertainment business enterprise.
PRESS RELEASE WRITTEN BY & A COURTESY OF COLUMBUS CREW FC COMMUNICATIONS
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Written by Price Brothers on 01 February 2015
Ryan Murray (2013 photo by Michael Miller via wikipedia commons)
COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS ACTIVATE DEFENSEMAN RYAN MURRAY OFF INJURED RESERVE; ASSIGN RIGHT WING JOSH ANDERSON TO AHL’S SPRINGFIELD FALCONS
COLUMBUS, OHIO – The Columbus Blue Jackets have activated defenseman Ryan Murray off Injured Reserve and assigned right wing Josh Anderson to the American Hockey League’s Springfield Falcons on Friday. Murray has missed the last 36 games due to a knee injury.
Murray, 21, who also missed the first seven games of the season due to off-season knee surgery, has recorded two penalty minutes in four games this season. He collected 4-17-21 with four penalty minutes and a +4 plus/minus rating in 66 games in his first NHL season in 2013-14.
The Regina, Saskatchewan native was the club’s first pick, second overall, in the 2013 NHL Draft and has registered 22-99-121 with 121 penalty minutes and a cumulative +51 plus/minus rating in 191 career games with the Everett Silvertips of the Western Hockey League from 2009-12. A member of Canada’s bronze medal-winning team at the 2012 World Junior Championships, he also played in the 2012 World Championships, becoming the second-youngest player ever to represent Canada in the tournament.
Anderson, 20, made his NHL debut on January 16 against the New York Rangers and registered his first NHL point (assist) January 29 at Florida. He recorded 0-1-1 with two penalty minutes while averaging 13:27 time on ice in six games. The Burlington, Ontario native has added 4-7-11 and 58 penalty minutes in 39 games with Springfield. Columbus’ fourth pick, 95th overall, in the 2012 NHL Draft, he posted 62-60-122 and 192 penalty minutes in 191 career OHL games, including career highs in goals, points and penalty minutes with 27-24-51 and 81 penalty minutes in 59 games with the Ontario Hockey League’s London Knights in 2013-14.
Full and partial season tickets for the Blue Jackets’ 2014-15 campaign are currently available for purchase. Individual game tickets for all home games at Nationwide Arena are on sale now. Information on all ticketing options can be obtained by calling (800) NHL‐COLS or by visiting BlueJackets.com.
‐ CBJ ‐
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Written by Bane Rossi on 01 February 2015
PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Sam Bergen (East Stroudsburg, Pa.) has given everything he has physically and mentally to the Scarlet Knights and will continue to do so for another season. Bergen, who has persevered at the sometimes thankless fullback position and on special teams, will return for a sixth season of eligibility in 2015.
So what would possibly compel Rutgers’ 6-0, 240-pounder to return for a rare sixth year?
A lot of things, actually.
Sam Bergen (courtesy Rutgers University)
“I love it here. I love playing football. I love the offseason program, the camaraderie in the locker room. I just love everything about it,” Bergen said. “I can’t understand why someone would turn that down if they could potentially have one more year of it. Maybe I’m crazy but that’s the way I feel about it. I love Rutgers. The people here are great. It’s a great program. We played against the best competition in the country and if you love football it’s a no-brainer to me.
“I first started playing football in seventh grade. It’s been a huge part of my life for a while. I’m not ready to put down the helmet just yet.”
With his petition to the NCAA for a sixth year approved, Bergen joins a select list of Rutgers players to extend their careers beyond the usual five-year limit. Brian Duffy, Edmond Laryea and Mason Robinson are the others.
He also knows what that sets him up for from his teammates, some of whom may be six years younger than he is: Old man jokes.
“I’m ready for all of that good stuff. It comes with it,” he said. “I’m definitely one of the older guys on the team but I don’t think I’m the oldest. There are actually some guys older than me believe it or not. But I’m definitely ready for the age difference and the old jokes.”
For both Bergen and Rutgers, the timing for his unexpected return is ideal. With reliable Michael Burton graduating, fullback is an area of some uncertainty when the Scarlet Knights start spring practice on March 24. Bergen has never started but has appeared in 27 games, though the majority of those have been on special teams.
But he’s not exactly a newcomer to the backfield, either. After five years in the program – even though he missed all of 2010 and 2011 and was limited to just one game in 2013 – he knows the position.
“I’ve seen more time on special teams than in the backfield,” he said. “But this past season as far as being in the backfield I had a role in the goal line package. I was in at least half the games this season in goal line situations.
“So I will definitely be comfortable in the backfield. Along with the game experience I’ve had and then the reps I get in spring practice and preseason camp, I know what I’m doing back there. I feel like I already do. I just don’t have a lot of experience at it in games.”
Bergen, who is pursuing a Master’s degree in the school of Labor and Employment Relations, said Burton’s departure was also a factor in his decision to stay another year.
“There’s definitely a void to be filled at the fullback position and I feel like I can be the guy for us who can step in and hopefully do whatever needs to be done,” he said. “There’s an opportunity there and I’m going to do everything in my power to take advantage of it.”
A tough, promising inside linebacker coming out of East Stroudsburg (Pa.) High School, Bergen’s defensive career was immediately sidetracked because of two knee surgeries. His frame, work ethic and selflessness made him an ideal fullback candidate.
Built like a refrigerator with legs, Bergen is among the strongest players on the team.
“I’m just a hard worker,” he said. “It doesn’t matter what I’m doing, whether it’s practice, the weight room, in the classroom. That’s just the kind of guy I am. That comes with that kind of mentality. I try to push myself at all times in every aspect and it carries over into the weight room and the numbers and results there come with it.”
It’s the same attitude that has helped him persevere through injuries, with an ankle injury after one game in 2013 costing him the rest of the season.
“The only way to get back is through hard work and persevering through whatever setbacks there are in rehab,” he said. “When you’re faced with a season-ending injury there’s only one thing you can do as far as I’m concerned: You’ve got to get into the training room, start your rehab and get to work. If you want to play badly enough you’ll have no problem doing that. That was the case for me. I’ve been willing to do whatever I needed to do to get back on the field. I don’t know any other way.
“At the end of the day I think it has made me a better and stronger person overall. In a weird way I’m actually thankful for those challenges.”
He has been a team player since stepping on campus and contributes in ways that are often not seen in the box score.
“I’m not in it for the personal statistics,” Bergen said. “My main focus is to do what’s best for the team. At the fullback position your most important role is to block, whether it’s for the running back or in pass protection. I want to do that to the best of my ability. That’s where the satisfaction comes from at the position.
“As far as statistics, those will come but they’re not the focus of what my job is at the position.”
Follow Rutgers Athletics on Facebook and Twitter (@RUAthletics) for all of the latest news and updates. For specific updates regarding football, follow the program on Twitter @RFootball.
-RU-
PRESS RELEASE WRITTEN BY Tom Luicci of ScarletKnights.com, COURTESY RUTGERS ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS
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Written by Monica Steele on 01 February 2015
Ohio Stadium aerial view (2014 photo by Craig Butz via wikipedia commons
Prices for two games cut to $65; premier games are Penn State and Michigan State
COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Ohio State Department of Athletics will utilize a variable pricing model for its 2015 football ticket prices that will include reducing the prices for some games while also designating two premier games on the schedule. Other games will retain the $79 ticket price (plus any applicable fees) that was in effect last season. The full implementation of the variable pricing structure will mean that season ticket costs are reduced from $655 in 2014 to $642 in 2015.
Prices for the nonconference games this season against the University of Hawaii and Western Michigan will be cut $14, to $65. The two premier games will be the Penn State game on Oct. 17 and the Michigan State game on Nov. 21. The ticket price for the Penn State game will be $125 and the price for the Michigan State game will be $150. The price to attend games against Northern Illinois, Maryland and Minnesota will be $79. The student ticket price will remain at $34 per game.
“We have the best fans in the land,” Gene Smith, Vice President and Director of Athletics, said. “We led the nation in attendance last year and would like to continue to hold that position. Considering the great fans we have, it is the perfect season to thank our fans by implementing this model now.”
Capacity in Ohio Stadium is 104,944 and Ohio State averaged a nation’s-best 106,296 per game this past season. A school record 108,610 fans attended the game against Michigan.
2015 Football Schedule
Sept. 7 – at Virginia Tech
Sept. 12 – Hawai’i (Alumni Band Game)
Sept. 19 – Northern Illinois (Hall of Fame Game)
Sept. 26 – Western Michigan (Scarlet & Gray Game)
Oct. 3 – at Indiana
Oct. 10 – Maryland (Homecoming)
Oct. 17 – Penn State
Oct. 24 – at Rutgers
Oct. 31 – Open
Nov. 7 – Minnesota (Military Appreciation Day)
Nov. 14 – at Illinois
Nov. 21 – Michigan State (Senior Day)
Nov. 28 – at Michigan
#GoBucks
PRESS RELEASE WRITTEN BY Jerry Emig, Adam Widman; COURTESY OSU ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS
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Written by Chris Coopersmith on 01 February 2015
Will Sullivan scores 13 second-half points to spark RedHawks
OXFORD, Ohio–Erasing a 13-point second-half deficit, which include a 10-3 run to conclude the contest, the Miami University men’s basketball team picked up a 79-73 win over Ball State on Saturday afternoon in Millett Hall.
A junior guard Geovonie McKnight layup, followed by a 3-pointer by senior guard Will Sullivan gave Miami a 74-70 lead with 42 seconds remaining, a lead they would not relinquish. Miami converted on 5-of-6 from the free-throw line in the final 30 seconds of the game to hang on for the victory.
Junior guard Eric Washington led Miami with 15 points, followed by Sullivan (13) and freshman forward Logan McLane (11) as other RedHawks to score in double figures. All 13 of Sullivan’s points came in the final nine minutes of the game.
Will Sullivan (courtesy Miami)
Ball State opened the contest on a 17-6 run, behind five consecutive 3-pointers. Miami answered with a 12-0 run, capped by a 3-pointer by junior guard Willie Moore, to take its first lead of the game at 18-17 with 10:51 remaining in the first half.
The teams exchanged buckets for most of the first half before the Cardinals ended the opening 20 minutes with a 9-3 run to take a 38-30 advantage into the locker room. Ball State did most of its damage from behind the arc, connecting on 10-of-17 attempts.
Ball State’s hot shooting continued in the second half as they extended their lead to 43-30 and held a nine point advantage at 51-42 with 12:15 remaining. That is where things changed.
Miami went on a 16-2 run in the next 4:15, with the help from a pair of buckets from junior forward Chris Bryant. Bryant’s second field goal of the game came on a thunderous dunk to bring the 1,691 RedHawk faithful to a standing ovation. Sullivan added four consecutive free throws to give Miami its largest lead at that time, 58-53.
The Cardinals answered in a big way, reclaiming the lead at 68-66, but a freshman guard Zach McCormick 3-pointer shut down the Cardinal run. Ball State would score just five points in the final 2:29 of the game.
John Cooper’s defense was outstanding all game, forcing 17 Ball State turnovers. BSU had 10 turnovers in the second half as Miami turned up the full-court pressure for most of the final 20 minutes of action.
Miami shot 56.5 percent from the field for the game and made 6-of-11 from long distance. The RedHawks had nine steals (BSU had zero), 24 points off turnovers (BSU had seven) and 10 fast break points (BSU had zero).
The Red & White return to action on Wednesday, Feb. 4 in a home contest versus Northern Illinois. Opening tip is scheduled for 7 p.m.
GAME RECAP WRITTEN BY Angie Renninger; COURTESY MIAMI ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS
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