2010 ACC Mens Soccer Recruiting

The ACC once again proved to be the class of the 2009 college soccer conferences as they sent Virginia, North Carolina and Wake Forest to the 2009 College Cup with Virginia claiming the national championship over Akron.  The success on the field is a direct result of success on the recruiting trail as top club soccer players from around the country dream of playing in the respected conference.  The 2010 ACC Mens soccer recruiting class is once again full of top prospects from around the United Statesand several US youth national team players.  Following are briefs on each ACC school's 2009 recruiting.

Boston College
After startging the season 5-6-0 BC made a late season run which culminated by advancing to the 3rd round of the NCAA Tournament where they fell to Drake in a wile match.  Before that the hot team had knocked off Virginia, North Carolina, Duke and St Johns along the way.  The scary thing is that 5 seniors on the entire squad and almost every major contributor will be returning this fall making BC a major threat in the ACC in 2010.  Unfortunately, Boston College has not released any information on their 2010 incoming recruiting class at this time.

Clemson 
Last year was a tough year at Clemson as the team slumped to a 9th place finish in the ACC.  The Tigers look to embark upon a new era of success under newly hired coach Mike Noonan who led a very successful program at Brown previously.  Clemson has a lot of history and success in collegiate soccer and we look forward to adding on to that success in the future," said Noonan. "My family and I are excited about coming to Clemson and joining the Tiger family. To leave a place like Brown, it had to be a special opportunity, and Clemson was this special opportunity."

Noonan loses top scorer Nathan Thorton, but quality freshman Austin Savage showed last year he is more than capable.  Otherwise it was a very young squad last year meaning most of the roster will be returning in the fall.  The Tigers have not released any information on their 2010 recruiting class at this time.

Duke 
The Blue Devils made a nice run in the NCAA Tournament last fall advancing past Winthrop and Michigan State before falling to Wake Forest.  The team only graduates six players so there will be plenty of talent back for the 2010 season as Duke tries to build upon the 2009 success.  Both leading scorers, Ryan Finley and Cole Grossman return to lead the attack.  Goalkeeper James Belshaw returns to build upon his successful freshman campaign in the nets.

Jonathan Aguirre from Madison, NJ and PDA
Michael Assaraf from Mission Viejo, Ca and Irvine Strikers
Rob Dolot from Belleville, Michigan and Vardar
William Donovan from Jamaica Plain, Mass and FC Greater Boston
Sebastian Ibeagha from Missouri City, Tx and Houston Dynamo
Tyler McDaniel from Longwood, Fl
Alex Merrill from Lakewood, Co and Colorado Rush
Nick Prys from Warren, Michigan and Derby County Wolves
Alex Sauciuc from Oakwood Hills, IL and Sockers FC

Maryland
The Terps failed to reach the College Cup in 2009 falling at Virginia in the quarterfinals.  Most programs would be thrilled with a run to the Final Eight.  Not Maryland.  They expect to play for the College Cup every year.  Once again Maryland saw two of its players go in the MLS draft as Drew Yates and Kevin Tangney were selected.  Otherwise, plenty of talent returns next fall for Maryland to expect another run at a national title.  Leading scorers Casey Townsend and Jason Herrick return along with star goalkpeeper Zac McMath. 

The incoming recruiting class is loaded with talent. New Zealander Gordon Murie could contribute right away after his time at the Under 17 World Cup while Sunny Jane from Kentucky should also see minutes for the talented program.

"This is another outstanding class. Every one of these players will make their mark in our program. Each one has the ability to play beyond Maryland," Cirovski said. "As a group, they bring a wealth of talent, athleticism and competitive grit that we look for. They are also great people and possess the character qualities that will enable them to add great value to our team immediately."

Patrick Mullins from New Orleans, La and Chicago Fire Jrs
Gordon Murie from New Zealand U17s
Marquez Fernandez from Baltimore, Md and Baltimore Bays
Tsotleho "Sunny" Jane from Prospect, Ky and United FC
Jereme Raley from Clinton, Md and Baltimore Bays

North Carolina 
The Tarheels made a great run in the 2009 NCAA Tournament falling to Akron in the semifinals.  They'll have to replace star Zach Loyd who went to FC Dallas 5th in the MLS Superdraft and defenders Jordan Graye.   Otherwise the the offensive side of the ball will be potent as the team returns their top six scorers from last season.  UNC could very easily be the preseason #1 in the Soccermogul Top 30 poll.  Even with all the returning firepower some freshman could push into the rotation.

"I see some freshman being able to step in and make a contribution right away with the loss of our two defenders," said Coach Elmar Bolowich. "We are getting three seniors back due to medical hardships and I think we will have a very balanced team this season."

Look for defender Jalil Anibaba to contribute immediately after spending two years at Santa Clara.

Jalil Anibaba trainsfer from Santa Clara
Glen Long from Greensboro, NC  and Triangle United
Rob Lovejoy from Greensboro, NC and Triangle United
Brendan Moore from Roswell, Ga. and  Concord Fire
Carlos McCrary from Roswell, Ga. and Concord Fire
Chibuzo Odenigwe from Richmond, Tx and Dallas Texans
Anton Sealey from Nassau, The Bahamas and Lonestar 92 Red
David Walden from Richmond, Va. and Richmond Strikers

North Carolina State
NC State had a nice year last year as they advanced to the ACC title game and were invited to the NCAA Tournament where they fell to Portland in the 2nd round of play. They must replace star defender Olukorede Aiyegbusi who was drafted by Kansas City as well as studs Alan Sanchez and Ronnie Bouemboue.  It will be a tall order to have as good a season as last year after losing three talented players.  Coach George Tarantini announced a monster class of 14 players to join a returning group of 15 players from last year.

Robert Beatty from Matthews, NC and Charlotte SA
Chris Figueroa from Dallas, Texas and FC Dallas Juniors
Nader Jaibat from Cary, NC and CASL
Mamadou Kansaye from Baltimore, Md. and Baltimore Bays
John Lung’aho from Little Rock, Ark. and
Gbengha Makinde from Randallstown, Md.and Baltimore Bays
Sonny Mukungu from Durham, NC and Triangle United
Michael Osei from Durham, NC and Triangle United
Alan Reiter from Westport, Conn. and Beachside SC
Jorge Risquez from Venezuela
Kyle Stuart from Durham, NC and Triangle United
Craig Sutherland transfer from Midwestern State
Aniekan Udoka from Greensboro, NC
Carlos Villa from Venezuela U17s

Virginia
The Cavs went on a dominating run last season culminating in the 2009 National Championship as they defeated Akron in the title game.   They'll have to replace Tony Tchani who went #2 in the MLS Superdraft to New York.  Also drafted was Ross LaBauex.  Returning though are several quality players such as Johnny Villanueva, Hunter Jumper, Brian Ownby and Diego Restrepo.

Coach George Gelnovatch once again will welcome a very talented class to campus in the fall led by defender Kevin McBride who captained the U18 DC United squad.  Calle Brown will provide an intimidating presence in the nets at 6'5 and forward Cameron Chavira has shown he can score goals at the highest levels.  Forward Cobi Span should contribute immediately with his size and speed.

"Once again I feel like we have signed the best players in the state of Virginia," Gelnovatch said. "These players are not only very talented but have the character that we are looking for in our program. They all have great potential and we are looking forward to working with them. This is a well-rounded class of defenders, midfielders, attacking players and a goalkeeper."

Calle Brown from Great Falls, Va and Great Falls SC
Cameron Chavira frolm Roanoke, Va and Roanoke Star SC
Kevin McBride from Fairfax, Va and DC United
Trey Saunders from Virginia Beach, Va and Virginia Rush
Cobi Span from Somers, NY and FC Westchester

Virginia Tech
The Hokies will be looking to bounce back from a disappointing 2009 season in which they only saw the win column five times.  The good news is the squad is young and will have experience returning next fall which will be needed in the difficult ACC.  They'll also add an incoming class of nine to bolster the roster.  Mikey Minutillo from San Jose, California could contribute immediately in the attack as could Ethan Ashong from New York.

“I’m very excited about bringing these young men into our program,” said head men’s soccer coach Mike Brizendine. “They represent all the qualities that our staff finds essential for success, whether in the classroom or on the field.”

Ethan Ashong from Pleasant Valley, NY and Middlepath FC
Vaughn Bandy from Charlotte, NC and North Meck SA
David Clemes from Ballston Lake NY and Blackwatch
DaVante DuBose from Oakland, Ca and Mustang SC
Taylor Lemmon from Lawrence, Kan and KCFC
Mikey Minutillo from San Jose, Ca
Kyle Renfro from Forest, Va and Roanoke Star
Cody Thayer from Omaha, Neb
Adama Wakai from Charlotte, NC and North Meck SA

Wake Forest 
The Deamon Deacons did enough to win their 2009 College Cup semifinal against eventual national champion Virginia last year.  Most felt they were the stronger team in the game, but they ended up falling in overtime.  The team must replace stars such as Ike Opara, Zack Schilawski, Austin daLuz and Corben Bone who all went in the opening round of the MLS Superdraft.  It will be a tall order for sure, but we all have seen that Wake doesn't rebuild they reload and are elite every year.  This might be coach Jay Vidovich's biggest challenge though after losing such talent to the MLS.

The class is led by US Under 17 stud Jared Watts who should step right into the Wake defense and be a force.  Four of the players, Agyapong, Emerson, Orden and Watts enrolled in school in January and are currently practicing with the team which will give them a big leg up come the fall.

Kyle Agyapong from North Salem, NY
Chris Duvall from Duluth, Ga and Concorde Fire
Kyle Emerson from Cypress, Tx and Houston Texans
Tolani Ibikunle from Wynnewood, Pa
Ryan Metts from Raleigh, NC and CASL
Justin Orden from Scarsdale, NY
Ross Tomaselli from Wilmington, NC and CASL
Jared Watts from Statesville, NC and U17 National Team
Adama Wakai from Charlotte, NC and North Meck SA