CALIFORNIA - After four years as one of the best goalies in Ringgold High soccer history, C.J. Cameron could end up making his mark at California University.
No one would be more surprised than Dennis Laskey, the Vulcans' long-time coach.
"I'm really surprised we got him," said Laskey. "I thought he was the best goalkeeper in the WPIAL last season and thought he'd go to a Division I school."
Cameron had 26 career shutouts for the Rams and missed by one of tying the school's single-season record with 11 in 2001.
He picked California over three schools including Robert Morris, Cleveland State and Virginia Wesleyan.
"California showed the most interest in me," said Cameron, whose father Tom coached him his first three years at Ringgold and will be an assistant at St Vincent College next season. "I'll be closer to home and have a chance of playing as a freshman."
Cameron, however, will be facing some tough competition.
Seth Shaw, a two-time All-PSAC first teamer, returns after sitting out one year, as does starting goalie Jeffrey Hoffman.
Laskey also recruited three other goalies including Hughesville's Cody Houseknecht, Twin Valley's Justin Kauffman and Coughlin's Tom Baloga.
"It's hard to get good goalies," said Laskey. "Two years ago, we were begging for goalkeepers."
Of all the freshmen, however, Cameron gets the edge.
"He's the best of the four without a doubt," he said. "He's head and shoulders above them. He's really good and I expect him to play as a freshman."
Cameron is presently playing for the highly-regarded Beadling Under 18 team with two other new Cal recruits - defender Zac Delgreco and forward Zac Powell, both of Baldwin.
Other highly-regarded recruits include defenders Steve McGinley from Riverview and Todd Schollaert from Trinity and forward Jason Shurgot, a transfer from Allegheny College and East Allegheny High.
Completing what Laskey calls his "best recruiting class" are defenders Doug Finke from Elder High in Cincinnati, O., Josh Pajak from Southmoreland, David Seidl from Waverly High in Lansing, Mi., Donnie Mriscin from Northeast Junior College and Buckhannon, West Va. and Matt Frechette from Natick (Mass.) High and midfielder Chris Anderson from Manheim High in Lancaster.
