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Energy FC U23 team adds five players from last season's roster

By Energy FC Communications, 04/17/17, 4:45PM CDT

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Two All PDL Players included in the group

Energy FC U23 signed five players from their inaugural season squad.  Returning are All PDL midfielders Noah Keats and Josh Taylor, forwards Garrett McLaughlin and Ben Conway, along with goalkeeper Austen Parker. All transaction pending USL / U.S. Soccer Federation approval.

Keats was the top scorer last season for the U23 squad with 13 goals, three assists and 29 points.  He appeared in all 14 matches for the U23s en route to a selection to the All PDL Team.  Prior to playing with the U23 squad, he completed his career at UIW as a teammate of Ben Conway.  His most successful season was 2014 when he appeared in nine games, scored three goals and added an assist.

Taylor also earned All PDL Team selection last season for the U23s.  He appeared in all 14 matches and scored three goals and two assists.  He recently finished his collegiate career with St. Edwards University.  During four seasons with the Hilltopers, he appeared in 75 games, scored 12 goals and 22 assists for 46 points.  During the 2015 season, he led the conference in assists with 11.

McLaughlin, a 6-0 165-pounder from Oklahoma City played last season with SMU and led the team in goals with four and points with 11 en route to a spot on the All Rookie Team and American Athletic Conference Rookie of the Year honors.  Last season, McLaughlin played in 12 games with the U23 squad.  Prior to attending SMU, he earned Gatorade Player of the Year honors competing at Heritage Hall and was a member of the ODP Region 3 team.

Conway, a 6-0 170-pounder from Wigan, Englad finished his collegiate career at University of Incarnate Word.  During the 2016 season, he led his team in goals (6), assists (4) and points (16).  During his four seasons at UIW, he appeared in 64 matches, scored 22 goals, 12 assists and 56 points.  With the U23 club last season, he appeared in 11 games and scored four goals and an assist.

Parker, a native of Piedmont, OK and graduate of Deer Creek, has played the last two seasons at USAO in Chickasha.  He’s appeared in 34 matches during his two seasons at USAO where he’s posted a 16-7-1 record in those matches.  During his freshman season, he posted five clean sheets.  With the U23’s last season, he appeared in eight matches.

Energy FC U23 opens their season on May 10 against the Tulsa Athletics in the first round of the Lamar Cup U.S. Open Cup.  The game kicks off at 7:30 p.m. at the soccer complex on the campus of the University of Tulsa.  Energy FC U23 is one of 21 PDL teams that have qualified for the U.S. Open Cup.  The U23’s earned the berth in the tournament by winning their division last season.