Staff Report
Bobby Shuttleworth made quite the name for himself as a college soccer standout at the University at Buffalo. For the Town of Tonawanda native to take his game to the next level, he’d have to sign with a Major League Soccer team. Shuttleworth did just that on Wednesday, inking a developmental contract with the New England Revolution of MLS.
Shuttleworth, a goalkeeper who played three years at UB after an impressive career at Nichols School, started all 20 of the Bulls’ matches in his senior season, recording eight shutouts, a 0.63 goals against average and a .833 save percentage that garnered him All Mid-Atlantic Conference honors. The Buffalo City Football Club, a squad in the National Premier Soccer League, indicated the deal to be for one year with an option for another four years. Shuttleworth had a short stint with Buffalo City FC, leading the team to a 5-1 record and allowing just two goals as the head man in net.
“As a coach I am sad to see Bobby go,” Buffalo City FC head coach Mike Share said on the team’s Web site. “I think he has a bright future in the game and he always worked his socks off in training.”
Setting a Nichols school record with 48 career shutouts, Shuttleworth finished with a 20-2-1 record in his senior year of high school. He was also briefly a member of the Austin Aztex FC of the United Soccer Leagues First Division.
“We’re pleased to add Bobby to our roster and look forward to him joining the team later this week,” Revolution vice president of player personnel Michael Burns said in a press release. “Bobby trained with us for a brief time this spring and we believe he can develop further with our coaching staff.”
The Revolution host Mexican Primera Division opponent Santos Laguna as New England begins SuperLiga group play at 6:30 p.m. Sunday at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Mass.
