HIGH POINT, N.C. – Former High Point University men’s soccer player Karo Okiomah has signed a professional contract with the Rochester Rhinos of USL PRO. Okiomah made his professional debut on Aug. 12 in a game against the Charleston Battery.
“We are all very excited for Karo to get this chance to play professional soccer,” Fonder said. “It has always been a dream of his to play once he left High Point. This is a great starting point for him and hopefully his career will take off from here.”
“It is really exciting to sign my first professional contract,” Okiomah said. “I want to thank Coach Fonder and the High Point University soccer program because without them this probably would not be possible. It has been a long ride and it feels great to be playing again.”
Okiomah finished his HPU career second in the High Point Div. I career record books with 68 points on 29 goals and 10 assists. He is second in team history in goals scored and his 0.43 goals per game is an HPU Div. I record. As a junior, Okiomah was among the national leaders in goals per game with 12 scores in 16 games. Okiomah was named a third-team All-American by the NSCAA and the Big South Player of the Year. He is a three-time NSCAA All-Region selection and a two-time All-Big South honoree.
Okiomah joins former HPU midfielder Matt Tuttle as the first two players to sign a professional contract under head coach Dustin Fonder. Tuttle signed with the Pittsburgh Riverhounds of USL PRO in 2010 and played with the team for two seasons.
The Rochester Rhinos play in USL PRO, the third tier of American professional soccer. The Rhinos are currently second in the league with 38 points and a record of 11-7-5.