Paul Hunter (soccer, born 1956)

Paul Hunter (born January 18, 1956) is a Canadian-born retired soccer player. He played for the University of Connecticut Huskies and spent five seasons in the North American Soccer League. His position was defender.

Paul Hunter
Personal information
Date of birth (1956-01-18) January 18, 1956 (age 68)
Place of birth Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Position(s) Defender
Youth career
1971–1972 Staples High School
College career
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1974–1976 University of Connecticut
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1977 New York Cosmos 3 (0)
1978–1980 Detroit Express 59 (0)
1979–1980 Detroit Express (indoor) 9 (2)
1980–1981 Tulsa Roughnecks (indoor) 9 (2)
1981 Tulsa Roughnecks 20 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

High school and college

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While born in Canada, Hunter and his brother Tim grew up in Westport, Connecticut where he attended Staples High School. Staples won the 1971 Connecticut state championship Hunter's junior year. While the team repeated as champions in 1972, Hunter shattered his leg mid-season, putting him out for the rest of the year.[1] He then attended the University of Connecticut, playing on the men's soccer team from 1974 to 1976. He was selected as an honourable mention (third team) All American in 1975 and a first team All American his senior season.[2] He was also team captain that season.[3]

Professional

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Hunter signed with the New York Cosmos of the North American Soccer League (NASL) in 1977. He played only three games and transferred to the Detroit Express where he became a regular starter for two seasons. In 1980, he played only five games for the Express and in 1981, found himself with the Tulsa Roughnecks where he played twenty games. He also played NASL indoor during the 1979–80 and 1980–81 seasons.

Hunter was inducted into the Connecticut Soccer Hall of Fame in 2004.[4]

References

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  1. ^ Staples soccer history Archived 2010-11-07 at the Wayback Machine
  2. ^ "NSCAA All Americans". Archived from the original on 2006-11-15. Retrieved 2008-04-08.
  3. ^ UConn Soccer History[permanent dead link]
  4. ^ Connecticut Soccer Hall of Fame[permanent dead link]
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