From today's Charleston paper:
quote:
Ex-Cougar Lesesne signs with Battery
BY ANDREW MILLER
Of The Post and Courier Staff
Troy Lesesne won't have to travel far to continue his soccer career. The former College of Charleston midfielder, who helped the Cougars to a Southern Conference championship and an NCAA tournament berth last season, has signed to play for the Charleston Battery this coming season.
Lesesne was the Battery's second-round draft pick in Tuesday's USL First Division draft. The Battery picked Cougars defender Drew Cavanagh in the first round.
"Honestly, things couldn't have turned out better for me," said the 5-7, 145-pound Columbia native. "I think it's a great opportunity for me to continue my soccer career with the Battery here in Charleston."
Lesesne, a four-year Cougars starter, totaled 10 goals and 15 assists in 78 college games. He led the SoCon with 10 assists in 2004.
"I think Troy is a very exciting, very dangerous player," Battery coach Mike Anhaeuser said. "He had a great senior year. He can play on the left or right side, and he's very creative when he has the ball. I've watched him develop over the last four years."
Lesesne caught the eye of Anhaeuser during Battery preseason scrimmages against the Cougars.
"Troy was very confident with the ball," Anhaeuser said. "He proved he could compete with the players not only on the Battery, but players in this league. We've got high expectations for Troy. We certainly feel like he can make our 18-man roster, and hopefully earn a starting position sooner rather than later."
The transition from the wide-open style of the college game to the tight-marking style at the pro level will be Lesesne's biggest immediate challenge, Anhaeuser said.
Anhaeuser said he hopes to sign Cavanagh. "Drew is still waiting to see what happens with MLS," Anhaeuser said.
