Feb. 9, 2007

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - The University of Memphis soccer team signs two soccer standouts and adds one talented player to the Tiger roster for the upcoming season. Head coach Richie Grant adds talent and leadership to his Memphis team.

"I think we are in a good position because we only had one graduating senior," said Grant. "I do feel that it is important to strengthen this team and I think this class will deepen the team."

Valfred Cole, a forward from Winder, Ga. signed to play for the Tigers. Cole comes from a soccer family. His uncle, Ade Wallace, was the goalkeeper for the Sierra Leone National Team and his father, Manfred Cole, played professionally for the Blackpool Soccer Club in West Africa. Cole played four years of basketball and three years of soccer at Winder-Barrow High School.

During his junior year, he was a member of the All-Region Team, a 2006 All-Northeast Georgia honorable mention and led his team to the 2006 Regional Championship, where they finished runner-up. Cole is currently competing in his senior season. Aside from high school competition, Cole played two seasons for the Atlanta Fire United club team.

"Valfred is a pure athlete with a great futbol background," said Grant. "We are excited to see him develop over the next couple of years."

Hugo Mondragon is a forward from Houston, Texas. He has signed to play with Memphis. He played under Coach Danny Forsythe at Jersey Village High School, where he is currently finishing up his senior season.

While playing for the Texans Futbol Club Red team, coached by Lee Baker, he helped to lead his team to a state championship. Mondragon is from the same club team as current Tiger Rick Alleman.

"Hugo is coming from a really good club in the Texans," said Grant. "Lee Baker has a great eye for the type of player that will be successful in college. We expect Hugo to have a quick influence on the team."

Daniel Knop, a transfer from Flagler College in St. Augustine, Fla., joins the Tiger roster. Knop is from Sydney, Australia, where he competed in soccer and track at Narrabeen High School. While at Narrabeen, he won all-region honors. Knop is enrolled at the university and has started spring training with the team.

With this talented signing class, Grant hopes to see Memphis continue to improve and to be one of the best in the conference.