Men's Soccer Adds Strong Class for 2013
3/14/2013 4:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Wright State men's soccer head coach Bryan Davis announced Thursday that he will be adding 11 more players to the already three new ones that are on campus this spring. On paper, at least, it is clear that the Raiders have high goals for 2013 and beyond. The class includes two National Soccer Coaches Association of American (NSCAA) high school All-Americans along with two other players that are NSCAA All-Midwest Selections. On top of that, WSU has also added the Ohio Division I and Division II high school Co-Players of the Year.
Outside of high school play, Wright State also welcomes in a U17 Canadian National Team player from their past CONCACAF Qualifying Round, two former members of the ODP Region 4 Team and four players from the United States Soccer Development Academy, three of which played in the USSDA National Championship in the summer of 2012.
"This class has the making of being a great one for Wright State both on and off of the field," said Davis. "We set out over the past two years to add not only quality soccer players, but also quality people. It is my belief we have done both."
"All of these players have played at the highest levels you can in youth soccer and all of them, as it shows, have had success both in accolades and more important in winning throughout their career," added Davis. "When fans come out to the Rinzler Complex this fall, they will see a very hard working team as always, but also one that has gotten much more athletic and fast as a group with the addition of these young men."
Avery Ball
Fort Collins, CO/Colorado Rapids Academy/Fossil Ridge High School/Midfielder
Avery Ball
comes to Wright State after having captained and led the Rapids to the Academy
Finals.... Academy Playoffs Best XI Honorable Mention by Top Drawer Soccer...Member
of the Rapids U17 Generation Adidas Cup....Two-Time All-Conference....Fossil Ridge High School
Team MVP...Colorado ODP and Region IV ODP teams...Colorado State Cup
Championship in 2009 and finalists in 2006, 2007, and 2008.
Ball chose Wright State because of the personal connection with the coaches, the direction of the program, sports medicine program, and the size of the school. While in high school Avery was a leader in student council, both homecoming and prom king, and received a service award for his volunteer work.
"Avery is going to be outstanding for us in the center of the park. He has good vision and will outwork everyone around him," said Davis. "He is fun to watch because the longer the game drags on and players tire, the more important Avery becomes to every team he is on. Those are fun players to coach!"
Jacob Stovall
Centerville, OH/Cincinnati United Premier Crew Jrs Gold/Centerville High School/Defender
Jacob Stovall comes to Wright
State after being named to the 2012 NSCAA All-Midwest Team...First Team
All-State...Greater Western Ohio Conference (GWOC) First Team....MVSSCA Division I South First Team...MVSSCA
All-District...Helped team qualify and play in the USYS National League...2011
Region II Finalists...2011 Ohio State Cup Champions...2012 Ohio State Cup
Finalists.
Stovall chose Wright State because it was the best possible fit. He was impressed with the players, coaches, and it is close to home. Stovall is a leader on and off the field, and has been his DECA Marketing class president.
"Jake is an awesome pickup for us. He is such a big strong athletic center back that we really needed to get into our program," said Davis. "What I really loved about him was his engine. He covers so much ground and doesn't stop working. He brings a fire we need to keep adding in our back line. He will go into every moment like it is his last and he plays the game as absolutely hard as he can. As a coach, you really can't ask for much more than that."
Tyler Blackmer
Boise, ID/Boise Nationals/Mountain View High School/Goalkeeper
Tyler Blackmer comes to Wright State after being a starting goalkeeper with
the Boise Nationals soccer club...Six-Idaho State Cup Championships...2010 Far
West Region Finalists...Played for three years with Region IV ODP Team...Idaho ODP
Team...Two-Time All-Conference performer at Mountain View High School.
Blackmer chose Wright State because he wants to be part of a team that is going to make history. He believes that with the team currently and with the recruits coming in 2013, that this will be the first WSU team to make it not only to the NCAA tournament, but to make it past the first round.
"Tyler comes from a great soccer pedigree out of his club and State ODP Program in Idaho with the same goalkeeper coach, Steve Adlard," said Davis. "Tyler is a big, strong and athletic goalkeeper that I believe will push every other goalkeeper in the program. He has all of the tools you look for in a goalkeeper, and has a winning track record that you simply can't ignore. I have a feeling he will turn out to be a great addition."
Wesley Cain
Guelph, Ontario, Canada/Vancouver Whitecaps Academy/Univ. of Northwestern Ohio/Midfielder
Wesley
Cain comes to Wright State as a transfer from the University of Northwestern
Ohio...Led team in scoring this past fall as a freshman with 10 goals...Played with
the Canadian Under-17 National Team...Helped team Qualify for 2011 FIFA U-17
World Cup by reaching the 2011 CONCACAF U17 Final...Member of the U14, U15, and
U16 Ontario Provincial Team...Golden Boot winner at Canadian All-Star
Championship...Top goal scorer in reserve league with SC Toronto.
Cain chose Wright State because the program felt like it was a perfect fit - the school is a good size, he likes the coaches, and the team fits his style of play. Although Wes is from Guelph, he moved to Vancouver to train and play with the Whitecaps Academy program.
"Wes can flat out play. We really liked him in the Whitecaps Youth Program and before that with the Canadian U17's," said Davis. "He is a workhorse that will be given the green light to run at players. The most fun part is he is not close to a finished product, and I believe will make tremendous strides at our program and in the role we plan to use him in. It certainly will be fun to watch his growth."
Samuel Davis
Upper Marlboro, MD/Baltimore Bays Academy/Saint John's College High School/Defender
Samuel
Davis comes to Wright State from the Baltimore Bays which has been among the
strongest Academy teams in the country...Captain of Saint John's High School
Team...Two-Time All-Conference...Three-Time Strength in Unity Award....Prior to Academy,
his Bays Team Ranked #2 in the Region.
Davis chose Wright State because of the unity and camaraderie of the team and coaches, along with the great atmosphere of the school. He believes the University is of a high quality academically, athletically, and in the way they take care of their students. Davis was a member of the National Honors Society and looks forward to major in athletic training.
"Sam comes from a great soccer family. His two brothers (Matt and Jake) and cousin (Jeremiah Burke) all played for me at George Washington University," said Davis. "Much like his brothers, he is a fierce tackler who will bring a lot of bite to our defense. Along with that, though, Sam is a very capable soccer player that comes from one of the best USSDA Youth Academy's in the country in the Baltimore Bays U18 Academy Team."
Sam DeRoy
Powell, OH/Classic Eagles FC/Olentangy Liberty High School/Midfielder
Sam Deroy comes to Wright State
after being named a 2012 NSCAA High School All-American...2012 State Division I
Champions...2011 State Division I Finalists...2012 Ohio South State Cup
Champions...State Co-Player of the Year...District Player of the Year...Two-Time
All-State...Two-Time All-District....Two-Time All-Ohio Capital Conference...Two-Time Central Ohio Super
12...Two-Time MVP of OLHS Team.
Deroy chose Wright State because of the science and engineering programs, the coaches, players, colors, the Raider mascot and facilities. Sam was the captain on his club and high school teams.
"Sam is going to be fun to coach and be around. He is a very good player and awesome kid," said Davis. "He has a lot of ability and is extremely versatile. More than that, he is a flat out winner and leader. Every team he is on wins and he has also been the captain of every team he has been on. Between his abilities and those qualities off the field, this is an exciting pick up for Wright State both on and off the field."
Eric Lynch
Bellbrook, OH/Ohio Galaxies/Metro FC/Bellbrook High School/Forward
Eric
Lynch comes to Wright State after being twice named a NSCAA High School
All-American (2011 & 2012)...2012 High School All-American Game...2012 Ohio
State Cup Finalists...2012 Division II Ohio Player of the Year...Three-Time
All-Region IV Team...Three-Time All-State...Three-Time All-District...Three-Time Southwestern Buckeye League Player
of the Year...Ohio South ODP...Bellbrook High School all-time leader in goals
(110), assists (57), and points (277).
Lynch chose Wright State because he was impressed with the coaching staff, current team members, and incoming recruits. It was also the right opportunity academically and gives his friends and family a chance to see him play. Eric will be pursuing a degree in Biological Sciences.
"Eric is going to be a very good college player. He has a well-documented track record in accolades and in scoring goals," said Davis. "What people don't realize, however, is the other qualities he brings. He has very good vision on the field and sees things well ahead of them developing. Along with that he makes very smart and dangerous runs. When you put yourself in good areas, good things happen. I have a feeling Eric will be very impactful for us at Wright State."
Ryan Pignatiello
Tipp City, OH/Ohio Galaxies/Tippecanoe High School/Goalkeeper
Ryan Pignatiello
come to Wright State after being named to the 2012 NSCAA All-Midwest
Team...2012
All-State...2012 Central Buckeye Conference Player of the Year...2012
Dayton Area
North Player of the Year...Two-Time All-Area...Two-Time
All-Conference...High school MVP and
Team Captain...Set career records at Tippecanoe for lowest goals against
average (GAA) in a season (.270), lowest GAA career (.370), season
shutouts (14.5) and career shutouts (32).
Pignatiello chose Wright State because it has a good criminal justice program and he believes the work rate, commitment and dedication of the Raiders has the program headed in the right direction. Ryan will study Criminal Justice and was a student senate member. He also excelled in volleyball, helping his team finish third in Nationals.
"Ryan is going to push everyone around him from day one. He is a very capable goalkeeper that works extremely hard at his craft every day," said Davis. "He is proven as a youth player, and really his best days are all in front of him as his growth trajectory as a player has been really fun to follow locally. I would not be surprised to see either or both incoming goalkeepers push for playing time this coming fall."
Austin Seifert
Colorado Springs, CO/Colorado Rapids Academy/Colorado Virtual Academy/Forward
Austin
Seifert comes to Wright State after helping lead the Rapids to the Academy
Finals...Finished the Academy Finals placing sixth in the Country...Member of
the Rapids U17 Generation Adidas Cup...Colorado high school State Champion...Two-Time
All-League...All-Conference...currently the leading scorer of Rapids U18 Academy
team.
Seifert chose Wright State because of the strong athletic training program, dedicated soccer coaches, and the high level of the soccer team. Austin continues to do well in the classroom being selected to the honor roll multiple times.
"Austin is a pickup we really needed. Flat out the kid is a bull," said Davis. "However, unlike most players that are rugged, he is a good soccer player, has a nice feel for the game, and scores goals. His size (6'3) makes him a handful for opponents and he is capable of being extremely effective for us. It will be an exciting competition for playing time up front!"
Zach Zwiesler
Beavercreek, OH/Cincinnati United Premier Crew Jrs Gold/Metro FC/Carroll High School/Midfielder
Zach Zwiesler has helped Dayton
Carroll to one of the most historic runs in school history as they are
currently unbeaten in their last 60 games and won three straight State Division
II Championships (2010, 2011, 2012)...First Team All-Area...Ohio South ODP Team.
Zwiesler chose Wright State because it felt the like a good fit and gave him a chance to be close to home. Zach assisted on the first goal in Carroll most recent state cup championship.
"Zach is a very savvy player and has all of the ability and skill set to be a great college soccer player," said Davis. "Moreover, he has an outstanding feel for the game and making others around him better. I am excited to see how he grows between now and next fall and then once on campus over the years. He could be a pretty fun one to watch."
Bryson Basaran
New Palestine, IN/IPSC/FC Pride/New Palestine High School/Midfielder
Bryson
Basaran comes to Wright State after having played with FC Pride and
Indianapolis Premier Soccer Club...Indiana ODP State Team...New
Palestine High School
Captain and Team MVP...Led team in scoring junior and senior
years...Conference champions in 2009, 2010 and 2011...Two-Time
All-County...Two-Time All-Conference...Two-Time All-District...All-State
Honorable Mention.
Basaran chose Wright State because of the physical therapy and marketing programs and the chance to fulfill his dream and play Division I soccer. Bryson is one of seven children, and coaches youth soccer in addition to numerous volunteer activities.
"Under the radar is the best way to describe Bryson. He is a long and super athletic left or right sided player that is very capable of making a strong impact at the college level," said Davis. "He continued to impress us as we tracked his development and it is clear his very best days are ahead of him."
Stay tuned for our end of spring press release to keep up with potential late additions, and a recap of the spring season. The Raiders next take the pitch on Sunday, March 17, at 4:00 against Penn State. Raider Up!
