TicketsMarch 11, 2008
CINCINNATI -- University of Cincinnati men's soccer coach Hylton Dayes announced a 14-player recruiting class for the 2008 season on Tuesday (March 11). This talented class includes 13 high school stand-outs and one college transfer.
"We are delighted with our incoming class," Dayes said. "It is a very talented group of student-athletes that address many of our needs. They are not only excellent soccer players, but also have the right mentality and character to succeed here at Cincinnati."
The group definitely has a Midwest flavor with four players each from Ohio and Illinois. Rounding out the group are players from Florida, Michigan and Pennsylvania and three international standouts.
"As a coaching staff, we feel confident that this incoming group, along with our core of returning players, will help us compete for a BIG EAST Championship," stated Dayes.
The Bearcats finished with a record of 9-10-1 (6-5-1) and lost in the quarterfinals of the BIG EAST Tournament to NCAA participant DePaul. The Bearcats graduated six seniors including all-BIG EAST performers, Kenny Anaba and Amir Ikner.
2008 Cincinnati Soccer Signees
D.J. Albert 6-0 Midfielder
Park City, Ill. College of Lake County
Member of 1990 USYSA Region II team from 2005-2007...selected state and regional team captain in 2007... starting central midfielder and team captain for nationally ranked Sockers FC Chicago Top Talent program (2003-2007)... regional finalist in 2004... Midwest Regional League champions in 2004, 2006 & 2007... state champions in 2005... US Club Regional and National Champions in 2006... finished sixth in Red Bull National League in 2007 ... born on April 1, 1990... son of Janet and Louis Albert... plans to major in mechanical engineering.
Dayes on Albert: "D.J. is a well-rounded player who has many of the qualities we look for in a central midfielder. He is a good defender, covers a lot of ground and can initiate the attack with quality passes. He is a leader with the discipline and passion to succeed at Cincinnati."
Matthew Bahner 6-0 Forward
West Chester, Ohio Lakota West High School
Four-year letterwinner at Lakota West High School... three-time all-Greater Miami Conference selection... shared the GMC Player of the Year award after his senior season... first-team all-State selection... currently holds the school-record for assists in a game (4)... scored 26 goals and provided 19 assists in his high school career...member of Ohio South ODP team from 2003-06... claimed an MRL Championship with Cincinnati United Premier in 2005... born on March 12, 1990... son of Debbie and Paul Bahner... plans to major in engineering.
Dayes on Bahner: "Matt is a talented forward that can play with his back to goal. We believe he is one of the best players coming out of Cincinnati this year and has the potential to be a true goal scorer at the BIG EAST level."
Kashmar Briscoe 6-4 Defender
May Pen, Jamaica Glenmuir High School
Four-time participant in the DaCosta Cup... won the event in 2004 and 2006, runner-up in 2005 and 2007... played for Real Mona F.C. under-15 team... member of Portmore United under-21 team... invited to compete on Jamaican under-17 team...born on December 8, 1988... son of Shavon and Samuel Briscoe... plans to major in psychology or business management.
Dayes on Briscoe: "Kashmar is an athletic central defender who we believe can be an impact player in the BIG EAST. He not only has excellent size and pace, but is also a very good passer. His experience and leadership qualities will be assets to our team."
Colby Catlett 6-1 Forward
Dublin, Ohio Hilliard Davidson High School
A four-time all-Ohio Capital Conference selection... three-time all district performer... two-time all-state selection... member of the state championship team his senior year... totaled six varsity awards at Hilliard Davidson... netted 58 goals and 36 assists during his high school career... earned three club state championships playing for Eagles SC with classmate Kit North... born on February 6, 1990... son of Susan and Joe Catlett... undecided on future major.
Dayes on Catlett: "Colby is a hard-working, quality forward who is a very good finisher. He has been an integral player for his Eagles SC club team that has won the state cup a number of times. He'll add to our arsenal of quality forwards."
Will Davis 6-2 Midfielder/Defender
Sydney, Australia Reddam House
Recipient of the senior Sportsman of the Year award at Reddam House in 2007... played for the Bankstown City Football club in New South Wales Premier League (U-20s)... scored 11 goals from the midfield position while playing for Bankstown... debuted for Reserve Grade under-21 team at the age of 16...born on August 13, 1989... son of Virginia and Gerry Davis...plans to major in business.
Dayes on Davis: "Will is an Australian kid who will be enrolling in the spring; which will provide him time and an early opportunity to make the transition to college. He is good technically, reads the game well and can play as a defender or midfielder."
Alex Fernandes 6-0 Midfielder
Orlando, Florida Dr. Phillips High School
Selected best varsity player as a freshman... led team in scoring as a sophomore... named to all-state first-team as a junior... State Player of the Year as a junior... won the Florida state championship with Orlando FC club team in 2006...Tampa Bay Sun Bowl champion and MVP in 2007... selected to Super Y National team... born on December 15, 1989... son of Lisa Bydalek and Manuel Fernandes...plans to major in business.
Dayes on Fernandes: "Alex is a very technical player and a good passer with excellent vision. He will bring creativity and flair to our team from his diverse soccer background that includes youth stints in Brazil with Botafogo and Flamengo soccer clubs."
Francesco Furio 6-1 Forward/Defender
Barrington, Ill. Barrington High School
Scored 24 goals and added seven assists on his way to earning IHSSCA All-State honors as a senior... named to the 2007 Chicago Sun-Times all-area team... found his way into the scoring column with at least one point in each match for head coach Scott Steib's team that won the 2007 AA state title... played four years for the Sockers FC club program that won the US Club national championship in 2006... concluded his career as the No. 4 scorer in school history with 112 career points ... born on Oct. 21, 1989... son of Lorenzo and Louise Furio... plans to major in business.
Dayes on Furio: "Francesco has all the physical tools needed to compete at the Division I level. He will bring an understanding of the work ethic and discipline needed to succeed from his experience with the nationally ranked Sockers FC Chicago program. Francesco is primarily a forward, but his versatility could allow him to contribute in many other roles."
Sam Klosterman 6-0 Defender
Belleville, Ill. Belleville West High School
Four-year letterwinner at Belleville West High School... four-time all-conference selection... twice named to the all-sectional team...a member of the 2007 Chicago Fire All-Academic State team and adidas Scholar All-Region team... member of 1990 USYSA Region II team... born on April 23, 1990...son of Cherie and Matt Klosterman... plans to major in physical therapy.
Dayes on Klosterman: "Sam is a left-sided player who is best suited to play as a left or central defender. He has good size and is very good in the air. He has experience with the regional team and we think that he has a very bright future at Cincinnati."
Andrew Myton 5-8 Defender
Vandalia, Ohio Chaminade-Julienne High School
Earned four letters while attending Chaminade-Julienne... named to the Greater Catholic League first-team three straight years... twice tabbed first team all-Miami Valley South Region team... was a third-team all-Ohio selection as a senior... started all but five matches during his four years... scored nine goals... a member of the Team Dayton U17 2007 US Club National Championship runner-up team... born on February 7, 1990...son of Alexis and Mark Myton...plans to major in biomedical engineering.
Dayes on Myton: "Andrew is a tenacious competitor and a very good 1-v-1 defender who plays with a tremendous amount of poise. He is best suited to play as an outside back."
Kit North 6-2 Defender
Columbus, Ohio Bishop Watterson High School
A three-year starter for head coach Derek Spann... named the OHSAA Division II Player of the Year and NSCAA All-American as a senior after leading the Eagles to the regional finals... earned state championships in each of his last three club seasons playing for Eagles SC... a third-team all-Ohio selection as a junior... born on September 4, 1989... son of Jane and Chris North... intends to major in business.
Dayes on North: "Chris is a defender who comes from a winning tradition in high school and club. He is very athletic with good pace and size. He'll have an opportunity to contribute in the back and has tremendous potential."
Nate Robinson 5-10 Midfielder
Novi, Mich. Novi High School
A three-year starter... a member of three-straight Kensington Valley Conference championship teams... the Wildcats' leading scorer as both a junior and senior... finished his prep career with 45 goals and 31 assists... received all-KVC, all-Area, all-Region and all-state accolades following his senior campaign... played club soccer for the Michigan Wolves and Vardar Academy Team... also a member of the Michigan ODP team... selected as MVP of Cincinnati Soccer Academy in 2007... born on May 4, 1990... son of Moira and David Robinson... plans to major in business.
Dayes on Robinson: "Nate is a quick and technical player who can play as a defender or midfielder. He's had tremendous success at both the club and high school level and will add a spark to our team."
Peter Steve 6-3 Goalkeeper
Dallas, Pa. Dallas Senior High School
A four-year starter in goal for head coach Chris Scharff... totaled 24 career shutouts for the Mountaineers... advanced to the District 2AA finals as a sophomore and won the District 2AA championship as a senior... a three-time Wyoming Valley Conference All-Star choice... named to Wilkes-Barre Citizen's Voice All-Star team following his senior campaign... played the 2007 club season for the state and region champion, FC Delco and is starting the 2008 club season with the PA Classics... born on October 10, 1989... son of Judy and Peter Steve... intends to major in history.
Dayes on Steve: "Peter is a quality goalkeeper with great technical skills. He is a good communicator and organizes well. He will solidify our goalkeeper situation. With continued work, he will be a BIG EAST-level goalkeeper."
Darren Weber 5-10 Forward/Midfielder
Highland Park, Ill. Highland Park High School
A three-time all-Central Suburban League choice for head coach Dave Bene... finished his career third on the Giants all-time scoring list with 87 points (31 goals, 25 assists)... led the team in scoring in each of his final two seasons, posting 13 goals and 11 helpers in 2006 and 10 goals and seven assists in 2007... became the first player in 20 years at Highland Park to earn league MVP and all-sectional honors in back-to-back seasons... born on October 20, 1989... son of Kathy German and Randy Weber... plans to major in business.
Dayes on Weber: "Darren can play up front or wide in the midfield. He has a tremendous work rate and makes good runs off the ball. He has the willingness to really compete at this level. He could be a sleeper within this class and could surprise some people."
Nick Weightman 5-10 Forward
Lanark, Scotland St. Aidans High School
Transferring after one year at Webber International where he recorded 47 shots on goal and 39 points to lead the Florida Sun Conference... selected as an NAIA All-American... ranked fourth in NAIA Division I and led the FSC with 19 goals in 17 matches... recorded three hat tricks during his rookie season for the Warriors ... selected to Scotland under-17 and under-19 national teams... top scorer with 69 goals for the Hibernian FC under-19s between 2004-06... born on April 6, 1987... son of John and Patricia Weightman... plans to major in finance.
Dayes on Weightman: "Nick is a proven goal scorer who has already enjoyed success at the collegiate level. He is a fierce competitor with excellent tactical awareness. We are confident Nick will fill the goal scoring void resulting from graduation."