Last fall, for the first time ever, three of the four programs in the state of Wisconsin made the NCAA tournament. (They'd never had more than one team in the field before.) But if you're going to make a deep run into the post-season, it helps a lot to land the best players from close to home, and the best Wisconsin players have generally left the state (Jay DeMerit to UIC, Tim Ward to SLU, Ethan Finlay to Creighton, Patrick Hodan to Notre Dame, probably others I'm forgetting). Which brings us Marquette's announcement ... http://www.gomarquette.com/sports/m-soccer/spec-rel/021514aaa.html Marquette has been improving for a long time now, and assuming that Andrija Novakovich actually spends enough time on campus to have an impact, they could really go places.
Just came here to post Marquette's class and saw Hararea beat me to the punch. Novakovich is supposed to be the shit.
Bowling Green announces a big class of newcomers. http://bgsufalcons.com/news/2014/2/11/MSOC_0211141002.aspx
Chase Betenson – F – Twinsburg, Ohio (Twinsburg) Prayag Jina – M – Aurora, Ohio (Aurora) I have seen both of these kids play in person. Good players. Sooner or later, Falcons are going to get good again. This may be the year.
Andrija Novakovich | Forward | Muskego, Wis. Highest-ranked recruit in history of MU soccer Ranked No. 6 overall in the 2014 recruiting class by TopDrawerSoccer.com and No. 8 by College Soccer News Has tallied four goals in 10 international appearances with U.S. Soccer U-17 and U-18 national teams Registered 30 goals in 25 matches as a member of Chicago Magic PSG in U.S. Soccer Development Academy play 2012 Gatorade Wisconsin State Player of the Year while playing for Muskego High School. Led team with 41 goals and 13 assists in 2012. NSCAA All-Region and first team all-state
He is! But I do not think that you will see him in a Marquette uniform. Mom is from London so he is set for playing in Europe.
No clue what his intentions are. He (or his parents) may want at least some time spent on campus. But if he's as good as advertised, he won't be there long even if he does matriculate.
Portland announces a class filled with locals and MLS academy veterans. http://www.portlandpilots.com/news/2014/2/17/MSOC_0217145607.aspx (And with that, all 5 D-I programs in the Pacific NW have announced.)
In recent years, we've seen a fair number of U17 national team keepers arrive at college only to wait their turn. There was Edwards behind Rowe at UCLA, Pina behind Meves at Akron, and McIntosh behind Jackson at Santa Clara. This fall, Louro will probably have a one-year wait at Michigan, and Jeff Caldwell is reportedly headed into what looks like a logjam at Virginia. Paul Christensen, in contrast, appears to have found himself a wide open situation to step into. Portland had two good keepers last year, but both of them were redshirt seniors.
Speaking of GK logjams....... 26 Jonny DeMoya GK R-Fr. 5-10 180 Olney, Md. / Sherwood HS 24 Jake Fenlason GK Jr. 6-0 157 San Deigo, Calif. / Rancho Bernardo HS 1 Fernando Pina GK So. 6-0 180 Houston, Texas / Challenge Early College HS Elliott Rubio GK Fr. 6-5 210 Chicago, Ill. / Highland Park HS Fenlason controversially beat out Pina just before the 2013 postseason. (Pina was 1st team All-MAC). There are whisperings that Rubio will sieze the job come Fall.
If Andrija Novakovich does matriculate to Milwaukee, the Golden Eagles will be a legitimate contender for the 2014 title.
Interesting stuff. Btw, any idea how accurate those listed heights are? Unless Pina has hit a late growth spurt, he wasn't close to six foot.
Since when? I shook Pina's hand at least once in 2013. If the cops were asking, I'D say 6'0" and skinny. Not too uncommon for an 18 yr. old to hit a growth spurt. Right?
Yippee! Pitt announces twelve NLI signatures ! Fiat Lux et facta est Lux! http://www.pittsburghpanthers.com/sports/w-soccer/spec-rel/021314aas.html Oops did I got happy too quickly ? Ok ok sorry... Just a joke to vent some frustration.... I am sure you will forgive me.... “It's not the despair, Laura. I can take the despair. It's the hope I can't stand. ~ Brian Stimpson, Clockwise ” John Cleese PS: warning... There is some kind of attempt of a smart pun in my Froglish introductory text....
“Being Irish, he had an abiding sense of tragedy, which sustained him through temporary periods of joy.” William Butler Yeats
Along the same lines ... "“To be Irish is to know that in the end the world will break your heart.” DP Moynihan
Speaking of goalkeeper backups, a classic one was when Matt Reis was behind Kevin Hartman for a few years at UCLA, then Reis was drafted by LA Galaxy after college, he ended up the #2 again for several years -- behind, guess who -- Hartman. Of course, eventually both Reis and Hartman ended up having great careers.
A Tribe called William & Mary http://www.tribeathletics.com/ViewA...11&DB_LANG=C&ATCLID=209409791&DB_OEM_ID=25100
Monmouth University adds 3 players. Former u17 National Player Dom Sarle should be a big pickup. http://www.gomuhawks.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_LANG=C&ATCLID=209410993&DB_OEM_ID=14300
The date on the release says this was out last Thursday but somehow I only stumbled upon it today. Anyway, Central Connecticut announces 6 freshmen from the USSDA and two transfers. http://www.ccsubluedevils.com/sports/msoc/2013-14/releases/20140213wzpiuk
How is Sarle at his third D1 school? (Monmouth is D1, right?) I thought only one transfer is allowed amongst D1 schools.