UVM's Tobin Heads to Norway

February 18, 2009

Former University of Vermont men's soccer standout Connor Tobin has signed a professional contract to play for Nybersgund IL-Trysil in Norway.

Connor Tobin was the 2008 America East Defender of the Year. (Photo by Brian Jenkins, courtesy of UVM Athletics)

After a three-week trial with the team, Tobin signed a one-year contract this past weekend.

“I am tremendously grateful for the opportunity to prove myself at the professional level here at Nybergsund,” said Tobin. “It is a great challenge, but I am very excited about playing over here in Europe. I would like to thank all those at UVM who have helped me get to this point, especially my coaches and teammates.”

“We are extremely proud of Connor’s accomplishments here at Vermont and the fact that he is able to take his skills to the next level,” said Vermont coach Jesse Cormier. “With Connor, the sky is the limit. He has intrinsic qualities, drive and determination that will make him successful at whatever he does in the future.”

Tobin impressed the Nybersgund coaching staff during his trial, starting at center back in several of the team’s preseason games. Nybersgund - who were just promoted to the Adeccoligaen, Norway’s second-highest league - features one other former U.S. collegian, striker Joseph Lapira. An All-American at Notre Dame, Lapira won the 2006 Hermann Trophy given to the National Player of the Year.

The 2008 America East Defender of the Year, Tobin was named to the America East All-Conference first team and the NSCAA All-Northeast Region team for the second straight season. He was a leader of the stingy Vermont defense that ranked in the top 25 nationally in goals against average each of the past three years.

Tobin helped the Catamounts (9-4-7, 4-1-3 America East) reach the semifinals of the America East Championship in 2008 after capturing the conference title and advancing to the second round of the NCAA Tournament in 2007.

This is Tobin’s second experience playing overseas. He spent the 2008 spring semester studying in England while training with the Sheffield United Academy side. Also, in the summer of 2007, he played for the Colorado Rapids PDL development team.

ADD TO YOUR SOCIAL BOOKMARKS: Blink Del.icio.us Digg
Furl Google Simpy Spurl Technorati Y! MyWeb