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Given a second opportunity to recruit a striker he knew could make a difference on the field, Jeremy Gunn didn't hesitate.
While Gunn was the men's soccer coach at Division II Fort Lewis College, he tried to recruit a talented Colorado high school player named Chris Salvaggione. Gunn lost out as Salvaggione decided to attend Division I Gardner-Webb.
“I guess he didn't want to play in a little mountain town,” Gunn said of Fort Lewis, located in Durango, Colo. “Sal was a very good striker. He played an attacking style of soccer that I like to see in my teams.”
Fast forward to December 2006 and Gunn is hired as the new coach for the Charlotte 49ers. Less than a month into his tenure, Salvaggione receives his release from Gardner-Webb and contacts Gunn about the possibility of a transfer.
“I had to make him grovel a little bit,” Gunn joked. “It was flattering Sal got back in touch with me. You never say never in recruiting. Sometimes kids make choices and they work out, sometimes they don't.”
Salvaggione's decision has reaped many rewards for the 49ers.
After an adjustment period early last season, Salvaggione and the 49ers rallied for a strong finish. Charlotte won 12 games and lost to Massachusetts in the Atlantic 10 tournament championship game. Salvaggione led the league in assists (nine) and game-winning goals (four).
So far this season, Salvaggione and the 49ers have picked up where they left off. Charlotte has won three tournaments this season and Salvaggione leads the A-10 with seven goals, having scored at least one in six of Charlotte's seven games.
The 49ers (6-1) have three non-conference games remaining before they begin league play, including tonight at 7 with Elon at Transamerica Field.
Salvaggione, 21, said his goal in transferring was to join a “bigger and better program with a lot of potential.” He said it became clear he made a good decision soon after his arrival.
“I hoped we could make the national tournament, but it was great to exceed people's expectations last season and do a lot of great things,” Salvaggione said.
“Now, with a year together under Gunn, and the addition of even stronger players, this year's team is even more attack-minded. I'd like to go on to play professional soccer, but whatever happens I have no regrets. Coming to Charlotte was definitely the right decision for me.”
