Team
The American University men's soccer team has signed eight newcomers to the 2010 squad, Head Coach Todd West has announced:
Tyler Collins (Norwalk, Conn./ Norwalk High School) - Collins was a JBS club soccer player, and served as the captain of his high school team. According to West, "Tyler has great pace and a toughness that will fit in nicely here at American. We feel he can fill a variety of roles, which will help him fit in well his freshman year."
Eli Dennis (Easton, Md./Easton High School) - Dennis competed in club soccer for the Freestate Elite, and also played for Coach West on the U.S. Region I Team. In 2009, Dennis was a second team all-state selection. "Eli will bring leadership qualities and ball winning ability to the team in the fall," remarked West. "He brings a physical presence that is second to none and he will compete for playing time right away."
Tyler Fisher (St. Louis, Mo./ Chaminade College Prep) - Fisher comes to American from the soccer hotbed of St. Louis, and will fill a role at either the midfield or forward positions. In 2009, he was named to the All-Tournament Team for Great Midwest Classic. "A quick winger with good feet, Tyler should bid for time with the graduation of Cameron Petty from last year's team," said West.
Chase Humphrey (Ocean City, Md./University of Denver/Worcester Prep) - Humphrey is a sophomore transfer who is returning to the Mid-Atlantic area. In high school, he was selected as the ESIAC Conference Player of the Year, and he also competed for the Potomac Cougars club team "Chase could play big minutes at center back with graduation of and Cooper Bryant and Karsten Smith," remarked West.
Billy Knutsen (San Francisco, Calif./St. Ignatius High School) - Knutsen enjoyed a stellar career in goal for his Bay Oaks club team, as well as for his high school squad. According to West, "Billy is certainly capable of putting pressure on our current goalkeepers and earning some minutes as a freshman."
Chris Kuramoto (Loveland, Ohio/Loveland High School) - Kuramoto was a four-year starter for his high school team, earning City of Cincinnati Player of the Year honors, as well as First Team All-State recognition. Chris is "a flank midfielder or forward should compete for time as a wide midfielder," remarked West.
Patrick Mehlert (Bethesda, Md./Bethesda Chevy Chase High School) - Mehlert garnered Washington Post All-County First Team and All-Met Honorable Mention awards in his senior season. He is the son of former American University men's soccer coach Pete Mehlert. "Patrick has good feet and sound game awareness," commented West. "He should compete for time in central midfield and certainly compliments our ball possession style of play."
Michael Sheinfeld (Dallas, Texas/Greenhill High
School) - Sheinfeld, a goalkeeper, was named to the All-District
team in 2009. He also competed for the FC Dallas Academy club team.
"Michael will provide depth and will have an opportunity to compete
for #2 spot. Like Billy Knutsen, he could push Matt
Makowski for #1 keeper position," said West.
The eight newcomers will help replace a highly-successful senior
class that finished 14-8-6 in Patriot League play over the past
four seasons. The departing senior class includes Bryant and Smith,
who earned a combined five All-Patriot League honors and two
All-Mid-Atlantic Region selections.
The Eagles will return three All-Patriot League honorees from a season ago, seniors Nick Kapus, Daniel Shannon and Mike Worden. The trio scored a combined 10 goals and recorded 27 points in the 2009 campaign.
American will play a five-game spring schedule, beginning in March. The full schedule will be released on AUeagles.com in the upcoming weeks.
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