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JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (Feb. 27, 2008) - ETSU men's soccer coach Scott Calabrese announced the addition of 18 players to his team's 2008-09 inaugural signing class. The class is the largest non-football signing class in ETSU history.
In the fall of 2008, the ETSU men's soccer program will embark on its inaugural season of NCAA Division I play. Calabrese believes that the class of 2008 will embrace the challenge of being the founding members of ETSU's men's soccer program.
"This class has taken on the challenge and the responsibility of being the first, and providing the foundation of the men's soccer program," Calabrese said. "The ability to be a founding member of a program is something that will stay with this group of players for the rest of their lives. As a staff and as a university we are truly excited by the quality of the players who have decided to further their athletic and educational development at ETSU. We are sure they will not only be outstanding players on the field, but also strive to pursue academic excellence in the classroom and represent the university to the highest standards."
The 2008 class of signees includes players from
"As a first year program we had many needs to address," Calabrese said. "As a staff we felt it important to recruit the best players from
For more information on the ETSU men's soccer team or any of the other Buccaneer athletic teams please visit www.ETSUBucs.com.
Goalkeepers
James Holt (Freshman, 6-4, 220,
Holt will come to ETSU after having attended
Coach Calabrese on Holt: "James has tremendous physical gifts and the potential to develop into a truly outstanding young goalkeeper. He comes from a club with a tradition of winning and competing against some of the best youth clubs in the
Cade Jones (Freshman, 5-10, 170,
A four-year letter winner at Cedar Shoals High School in Athens, Ga., Jones comes to ETSU after helping his team to a Top 10 state ranking in 2006, as well helping to guide the Jaguars to the Jekyll Island Tournament of Champions on two separate occasions. Jones was also named team MVP, as well as being an All-Northeast Georgia selection in 2007, holding the school record in career saves. Jones is also the starting goalkeeper for
Coach Calabrese on Jones: "Cade is a very hard working young goalkeeper. His desire to train and improve will set the standard of work ethic for this group. Cade's current club
Kyle Martin (Freshman, 5-10, 170,
Martin was a key component in
Coach Calabrese on Martin: "Kyle's sharp reflexes and natural quickness make him an excellent shot stopper. Kyle is also very comfortable with the ball at his feet, often being called upon to play in the field for his club team. Being able to deal with pass backs and through passes confidently also allows Kyle and his team to push higher. Kyle will be an important asset to the ETSU men's soccer team."
Defenders
Jaron Westbrook (Freshman, 5-11, 155, Round Rock,
A standout player at
Coach Calabrese on Westbrook: "Ronny is a very athletic center defender, he is outstanding in the air, and strong in the tackle. He also shows composure on the ball and enables his team to build from the back and maintain possession. As a captain for Lonestar he has proved himself to be a vocal leader and organizer in the back. These qualities will help our young team to develop cohesion defensively. We expect Ronnie to play vital role in the establishment of ETSU's men's soccer program."
Nathanial McElroy (Freshman, 5-9, 165,
A four-year letter winner at
Coach Calabrese on McElroy: "Kat is a player with both talent and potential. I believe in our environment Kat will find tremendous success and development. Kat utilizes both pace and invention to beat players and create chances. His physical gifts will be a great asset to the program. Kat will play an important role in helping to establish ETSU as a program of note."
Austin Kennedy (Freshman, 5-7, 125,
A student at
Coach Calabrese on Kennedy: "
Conrad McCue (Freshman, 6-0, 175, Round Rock,
McCue currently attends
Coach Calabrese on McCue: "We are very excited about Conrad. Playing two sports and garnering accolades in both shows just how gifted an athlete Conrad is. His ability to play the ball over distance will allow us the versatility to play a number of different ways. Even though predominantly a defensive player, Conrad has shown throughout his high school career that he has the ability to score goals, both through the run of play and from set pieces. I am sure that Conrad will play a significant role in the future success of ETSU men's soccer."
Brennan Scott (Freshman, 5-9, 165, Franklin, Club: TNFC)
Scott has been a four-year starter on the varsity squad at
Coach Calabrese on Scott: Brennan is a physically strong player who is very gritty and tough in the tackle. We can utilize Brennan's strengths in any number of ways. He can sit in front of the back four and break up play or can play anywhere along the back himself. Brennan's tough mindedness and physical play will help create this mentality throughout the squad."
Matt Reed (Freshman, 5-11, 165,
Reed helped
Coach Calabrese on Reed: Matt is a technical player with the versatility to play many positions. His ability to read the game and anticipate the development of play makes him a very effective defender. Matt's distribution from the back is very good allowing his team to build and maintain possession. Matt will play an important role in ETSU's inaugural season."
Mike Fuller (Freshman, 6-2, 185,
Fuller helped
Coach Calabrese on Fuller: "Mike is a no nonsense central defender who is strong in the air as well as in the tackle. He has very good positional sense as well as a high level of technical ability and is a very consistent performer which is something we will need as a young team. Mike has been the captain of most teams he has played for and his leadership qualities will be invaluable as we set the foundations of the ETSU soccer program."
Midfielders
Tony Nunes (Freshman, 5-8, 150,
Nunes is the first player to be named to the North Carolina All-State, All-Conference, and All-Region teams at
Coach Calabrese on Nunes: "Tony is a very gifted attacking minded midfield player. He has outstanding vision and the ability to deliver penetrating passes, releasing forwards and wide players. He is clever and composed with the ability to play in very tight spaces and dictate a games tempo. We expect Tony to play a key role in establishing a possession-oriented style of play at ETSU."
Sean Hoek (Freshman, 6-1, 163,
Hoek comes to ETSU after an outstanding high school career where he attended
Coach Calabrese on Hoek: "Sean is a dynamic and explosive talent. He is a tremendous natural athlete with an excellent engine. Sean is a true goal scoring threat from the midfield, possessing both the technical skill to connect passes and release players with passes over distance. He is truly a player that can play box-to-box and possesses a winner's mentality. We expect big things from Sean."
Tom Webster (Freshman, 5-9, 165,
Webster was an outstanding performer at
Coach Calabrese on Webster: "Tom is a very creative attacking player who has the ability to score spectacular goals and conjure chances for teammates out of seemingly innocuous situations. He is equally comfortable with his right or left foot, and is especially clever around the opponent's goal. We are very excited to have Tom as a member of our young program and feel he will play an important role in our success."
David Haba (Freshman, 6-2, 160,
Haba helped the Houston High School Mustangs to three state championship quarterfinal appearances and garnered All-District honors in both his sophomore and junior years. Haba has also been a Tennessee ODP Team selection for five years, and plays club soccer for Memphis FC under Richard Bute. Haba was the Region III Premier League points leader in 2004, and finished third in points while leading the league in assists in 2007. Haba also serves as a team captain for Memphis FC.
Coach Calabrese on Haba: "David is an exceptionally talented wide midfielder. His change of pace when taking players on is exceptional as is his delivery from wide areas. David is very creative around the goal as he creates opportunities for himself and for others. David has the potential to be an excellent college player and contribute greatly to the foundation of ETSU's success."
Beck Williams (Freshman, 5-9, 155,
Williams currently attends
Coach Calabrese on Williams: "We are very excited to have Beck join our program. He is an extremely technical wide midfield player. His ability to beat players with pace and provide quality delivery will be important for our team. Beck has a great mentality; he's tough and very competitive."
Tim Nixon (Freshman, 5-10, 158,
A four-year letterman at
Coach Calabrese on Nixon: "Tim will be a tremendous addition to our program. He is a very technical and creative central midfield player. His ability to play both sides of the ball will give balance to our midfield group. Tim has a gift for scoring important goals and creating chances for teammates. Tim is currently playing with and against some of the best talent in the
Forwards
Aaron Schoenfeld (Freshman, 6-4, 185,
Schoenfeld, a student at
Coach Calabrese on Schoenfeld: "Aaron has the potential to become an exceptional goal scorer in college. He has great work rate and remains fearless in front of the goal. He utilizes his 6-4, 185-pound frame to hold off defenders and hold up play. Despite his size he has great mobility and quickness. His winning mentality and willingness to work for others will be important in developing a blue collar mentality at ETSU. We expect Aaron to play a pivotal role in ETSU's success."
Russell Thompson (Freshman, 5-4, 135) (
The team captain at
Coach Calabrese on Thompson: "Russell is a technically sharp player with an outstanding work rate. His pace makes him a constant threat to get in behind teams. Russell has shown that he is able to score goals in big games and against some of the top competition in the South. Russell is a very versatile player as well. He is effective as a wide player with the ability to get the ball around the back and deliver quality service. He is equally dangerous working off a larger target forward. We believe Russell will be a key contributor to our new program's success."