ORLANDO, Fla. – Feb. 4, 2016 – Orlando City B has acquired defender Zach Ellis-Hayden and goalkeeper Jake Fenlason heading into the 2016 United Soccer League (USL) season, the Club announced today. The acquisition of Ellis-Hayden is pending his ITC and Visa.
Per Club and league rules, additional details were not disclosed.
"The addition of nationally recognized college players like Zach and Jake is a big boost for the team as we continue building our roster for our 2016 season," said OCB Head Coach Anthony Pulis. "Zach is a solid defender that can operate in a number of positions in the back four. He's very athletic, hungry to learn and do well for us. Jake has shown a tremendous amount of talent and dominance in goal throughout his college career. We are really excited about both players and look forward to working and developing them with OCB."
Ellis-Hayden, 23, joins OCB following successful stints through every stage of his youth career, earning individual and team awards during his Premier Development League (PDL), college and high school seasons.
Prior to his arrival to Orlando, the Canadian defender helped K-W United FC conquer its first PDL championship, defeating the New York Red Bulls U23s 4-3 in the final.
Ellis-Hayden attended Cleveland State University (2010-2013), registering 78 appearances in four successful years as a Viking. He earned first team All-Horizon League honors in 2013, third team All-Great Lakes region and second team All-Horizon in 2012, after leading his team in starts in 2013 and 2011. Additionally, Ellis-Hayden was the second highest scorer for his team in 2012.
His personal soccer successes began during his time at Forest Heights High School, where he was recognized as the team MVP in 2009 and 2010 and was selected MVP of the Waterloo Region High School League in 2010.
Fenlason, 23, joins OCB after five outstanding years (2011-2015) with the No.4 ranked soccer program in the nation, the University of Akron, alongside Orlando City’s first-round selection in the 2016 Major League Soccer SuperDraft, Richie Laryea.
In 2015, Fenlason helped lift the Zips to the semi-finals of the NCAA tournament, recording an impressive team regular season record of 18-3-3, and registering career-high numbers in saves (105) and shutouts (9).
As a junior in 2014, the San Diego, Calif., native started all 21 matches for Akron, earning a first-team All-Mid-American Conference Selection after ranking first in the conference in saves (73) and shutouts (7), second in shutouts per game (0.33), goals against average (0.78) and save percentage (.811), and third in saves per game (0.33).
Before his success with Akron, Fenlanson led Rancho Bernardo High School to a No. 3 national rank, setting team records in goals-against average, season saves, career wins and career shutouts, and receiving three All-North County and All-Palomar team honors.
Transaction: Orlando City B Acquires Zach Ellis-Hayden and Jake Fenlason
Name: Zach Ellis-Hayden
Height: 5’8”
Weight: 145 lbs.
Birth Date: March 1, 1992
Birthplace: Kitchener, Ontario
Citizenship: Canada
Name: Jake Fenlason
Height: 6’0”
Weight: 157 lbs.
BirthDate: February 2, 1993
Birthplace: San Diego, California
Citizenship: United States of America
