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Heat SC Signs Defensive Specialist

Tuesday, March 27, 2007 (Laredo, TX):

The Laredo Heat Soccer Club announced today the signing of Round Rock, Texas native and Southern Methodist University (SMU) player Leone Cruz.

Cruz is currently enrolled at SMU and just completed his first season for the Mustangs. SMU is the only Division I university in the state of Texas that competes nationally in soccer. The SMU soccer program is a member of Conference USA and last season posted a 17 -2 -4 record and were the 2006 Conference USA Champions. The Mustangs lost to UC – Santa Barbara to end their season and UC – Santa Barbara advanced to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA National Soccer Tournament with the win.

The 6’1”, 174 pound Cruz is a defensive specialist and last year was selected by CollegeSoccerNews.com as one of its 100 Freshman to Watch. Before signing with SMU, Leone was a four year letter winner and team captain at Round Rock High School. He also earned First Team All-District honors and Defensive Player of the Year honors while playing for the Round Rock school. Cruz was also a member of the U.S. Under 18 National Team Pool and a five year member of the Olympic Development Program Regional Team and was an All-American Selection for the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NCSAA).

Heat General Manager, J.J. Vela, said, “Were looking forward to having Leone join the Heat. With his background and experience, he should get quality playing time from Coach Collazo this coming PDL season”. Vela also added, “When I first mentioned to Coach Collazo that we had made contact with Leone and that he was interested in coming to Laredo to play this summer, Collazo told me that he remembered Leone from his playing days with the Austin Lightning and DFW Tornados the past two seasons and he recalled how well he played against us.” Vela concluded, “Leone was here two weeks ago during his Spring Break working out with the team and even though he was nursing an Achilles tendon injury, he demonstrated an excellent personality, one of wanting to learn and being a team player, and demeanor, very outgoing, that will fit well with the team”.

For additional information on the Laredo Heat Soccer Club, please visit their web site at www.laredoheatsc.com .