NINE Preston College sports students have been offered scholarships in America after they were spotted by universities when playing football at the 23rd President Day Tournament in Phoenix earlier this year.

The Preston College team went undefeated throughout the tournament before they beat Erin Mills FC from Toronto 3 -2 in the final.

Matthew Aspinall was the team's top goalscorer with four goals in Phoenix. He has been offered a place at University of New Mexico.

Preston College team captain Dave Dwyer, has a place at Rawlins College in Miami. Other students include John Carroll and Mark Berry who both have an offer at Rio Grande in Ohio. Matthew Walsh and Matthew O'Sullivan at Bakersfield, California, and Henry Apaloo has an offer at Virginia Tech for 2003.

Two former students from last year, Andy Moore and Ben Callon, will also take places at Long Island, New York and Rio Grande, Ohio respectively.

Team Leader in Sport & Recreation, Alastair Mollon said: "The lads have excelled themselves. This is a great opportunity for them to go on and fulfil their potential and be the best. We are very proud of them all."

On August 1st the lads will fly to the States to begin their four-year Football Soccer Scholarships. The Scholarships provide the opportunity for students to follow a fully funded degree programme in the subject of their choice while training and playing alongside their study.