Men's Soccer Announces 2009 Recruiting Class, Releases Spring Schedule

WASHINGTON - The American University men's soccer team has signed four freshman to the 2009 squad, Head Coach Todd West has announced. The class includes two student-athletes from Virginia and one each from New Jersey and Texas.

Zach Abaie, John Boswell, Adem Gokturk and Ryan Morales have all signed National Letters of Intent to join the Eagles next season.

"We believe that all four are quite capable of making significant contributions right away," said West. "They will all need to take steps with regard to speed of play and the physical and tactical demands they will face at the Division I level. Last year's team tied for the Patriot League regular season championship and with 10 returning starters this fall, expectations will be high. We sought to bring in a small but competitive recruiting class for 2009, and we firmly believe we have accomplished that goal. All four can certainly compete for spots as freshmen"

Abaie, a midfielder, hails from Stafford High School in Stafford, Virginia and will bring a high level of dedication to the squad. Technical and tactically smart, Abaie will be a solid addition to the team. West calls Abaie an "honest, hardworking central midfielder who consistently puts himself and teammates in good spots."

Boswell, a midfielder and defender from Cherry Hill West High School in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, adds versatility to the class. "John reads the game well," West said. "He has the ability to play in several different spots depending on where he is needed most." Boswell was also an all-conference wrestler at Cherry Hill.

Gokturk is a defender from Annandale High School in Annandale, Virginia who rounds out the position with athleticism and speed. "Adem is good in the air. He can play anywhere in the back four," West said. West believes Gokturk's experience playing with the SYC Junior Royals club team, a team demonstrating much the same style of play as the Eagles, should make him immediately comfortable on the squad.

Morales, a midfielder from Jesuit College Prep in Dallas, Texas, comes to American from the national champion Andromeda club team. West calls Morales the "proverbial holding midfielder" noting that Morales consistently ensures that he is in the best spot for his teammates. "Ryan is tactically astute. He does all the little things to make a team successful," West noted. Morales also played on the North Texas state team for four years.

AU has also announced the schedule for this spring, which features five games. The schedule will allow "playing time for everyone," Head Coach Todd West said. The season will kick off on March 21 with a home game against Real Maryland at 12:00 p.m. The Eagles head to Delaware on March 25 and follow that game with a match at Loyola on April 4. A game versus West Virginia will bring the Eagles back home to Reeves Field on April 11. The spring season ends with a home match against Towson on April 17.

American finished the 2008 season with a 9-7-3 overall record and will graduate five seniors from its squad in May.