AU Men's Soccer Announces 2008 Recruiting Class

April 3, 2008

WASHINGTON - The American University's men's soccer team has signed six incoming freshmen and one transfer for the 2008 season, Head Coach Todd West has announced. The class includes two student-athletes from Pennsylvania, one from Virginia, two from New Jersey and one each from Canada and the United Kingdom.

Transfer Luiz Martinez will join Chris Cender, Seth Goldman, Matt Makowski, Mike Marino, Jack Scott and Alex Tilatti, who have all signed National Letters of Intent to join the Eagles next season.

"Our recruiting class from 2008 looks to be a strong group and all of our incoming freshmen should compete for time if not starting positions immediately," West said. "We have already welcomed junior transfer Luis Martinez from Syracuse and he has already had an impact on our program."

Martinez is a center midfielder who is originally from Morristown, N.J. and joined the Eagles this spring after spending the last two seasons as a starter at Syracuse. West believes Martinez will be an integral part of the team and brings "a great work ethic, wonderful technique and can create chances for his teammates with his passing and vision."

Cender comes from Montgomery High School in New Jersey and joins the American as a very versatile player. West calls Cender a "skillful left-sided player that can play as a central midfielder, a left midfielder or as a left back. He is very good on set pieces and can score on direct kicks or provide service." Cender is a high school teammate of current AU midfielder John Freimark.

A defensive minded player, Seth Goldman hails from Robinson High School in Virginia and brings athleticism and competitiveness to the Eagles. "Seth should compete for a starting position either as a defensive midfielder or right back," West said. "He has the ability to break up plays and to come forward and score goals. His competitiveness makes him tough for any opponent to deal with."

Makowski, a goalkeeper from Faith Christian Academy in Pennsylvania, played club soccer for FC Delco and Potomac and was also a member of the EPYSA ODP teams. Makowski has "tremendous work ethic and loves to train," West said. "Matt should thrive when he gets to train with goalkeeper coach Nick Stames on a daily basis and should challenge to start as a freshman."

Marino is a forward who attended Chestnut Hill Academy in Pennsylvania and will compete for a starting position or provide much needed depth up top for the Eagles. West calls Marino "a tenacious and hard working forward who loves to mix it up. He is best inside the 18 and will get on the end of crosses, find loose balls and rebounds and his work ethic to create scoring opportunities."

Scott comes to American from the U.K. and attended Tadcaster Grammar School in York. "Jack is a fast forward or midfielder who likes to run at defenders," West noted. "He should create scoring opportunities for himself and his teammates with his skills off of the dribble and his ability to get behind defenses."

Tilatti rounds out the recruiting class. A defender from St. Elizabeth High School in Ontario, Canada, Tilatti will challenge to start or provide depth as a defensive midfielder or defender. West calls him a "very good ball winner and has the ability to distribute well with both feet. He loves to compete and his intensity is contagious. Alex will provide an emotional lift in training and in matches."

American has earned spring victories over Delaware (2-1), Georgetown (1-0), and Real Maryland of the USL (1-0) and will host Towson at Reeves Field at 1 p.m. on Saturday.

The Eagles finished 6-9-3 overall and 3-2-2 in the Patriot League a year ago and will return the majority of its starters from the 2007 squad. American will open its 2008 campaign on Aug. 29 when it hosts cross-town rival Howard University at 5 p.m. in the opening round of the DC College Cup.