FORMER Portland United player Sam Charles has revealed his experiences from the first year of his soccer scholarship at Montana State University in the Heartland Conference.

The talented striker has received huge praise from his coach and he is looking forward to continuing his development.

Charles said: "On August 1 2006, I arrived in Billings, Montana to start my soccer scholarship and at the end of my first week there, I was already in pre-season, which was the most demanding training that I have ever endured.

"We trained as a squad of 24 players, twice a day for three weeks solid. The hardest part of pre-season for me was acclimatisation, as it was 40 degrees centigrade on a daily basis.

"At the end of the pre-season camp we headed down to Colorado to play three games. The standard of opposition was very good and we drew two and lost one.

"When I returned to Billings I had my first week of university classes, which was really hard as the soccer season was definitely my priority at the time.

"We continued to play through our competitive season, which ended in November. We played 18 games over the course of 10 weeks and I managed to score seven goals making me the team's top scorer. I was fairly pleased with that as I was playing at a high level and it was my first year in the team.

"Our team's overall record was won five, drew two and lost 11 but as a squad we were never out-played. In fact we actually lost eight games by just a single goal.

"We also travelled down by plane to Texas twice, which was very difficult. The heat was way above 45 degrees centigrade and had a 95 per cent humidity rating. We were clearly at a severe disadvantage and our away results reflected that.

"At the end of the season, the Heartland Conference named me in their first-team squad, and also as their freshman of the year. This was a big honour for the programne and obviously for me, as the team was selected from all of the universities in the Conference.

"Just before I returned home for Christmas I was then named in the NSCAA Adidas Midwest Region team. This was the first ever time that a player from Montana State had been named in the side, and it was a big award especially for a freshman.

"When I returned to Billings in January, classes were more of a priority. I achieved straight As for the spring term, which was an improvement on the previous Fall Semester.

"As a squad we still trained five times a week, with two of the sessions dedicated to gym sessions. As a squad and as an individual, the improvements in strength are clearly visible.

"We won two tournaments in the spring, which was a good sign for the season ahead in August. The overall attitude was so positive, and with coach Dan McNally in charge we have a great chance of becoming a top team.

"The professionalism of collegiate sports is hard to exaggerate, everything you would want as an athlete is at Montana State."

Speaking about the programme and Charles, McNally said: "All the returning student-athletes will benefit from their experience in 2006 and we are returning a strong group of players for 2007.

"In 2006 we built the foundations of a strong programme and Sam had an outstanding freshman season. He led the team in goals and points and most coaches in our region would love to have a player of his ability."

As well as enjoying his football in the States, Charles also gained valuable life experience in his first year. He said: "I have made some great friends over in America, which has made my time there even more enjoyable. I am going to move out of the campus dorms into a five-bedroom house with four other soccer players, which will definitely be a fun experience.

"The decision to go to the States was the biggest of my life to date, and after looking back at my first year at Montana State, I only look back at it with positive feelings, and I can't wait to get back out there next month."

n Former Weymouth, Dorchester Town and Portland United winger Scott Dixon will be joining Charles at Montana State University this year.

The talented youngster has signed a national letter of intent to play for the Yellowjackets and he will have three years of National Collegiate Athletic Association eligibility.

Coach Dan McNally said: "Scott is a fantastic addition to the men's soccer programme. He has first class technique and great athleticism.

"After watching him play last Christmas in England, I knew immediately he was the player I was looking for. I believe Scott will have a great career at MSU-Billings."