SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Five student-athletes have joined the Syracuse men’s soccer program for the upcoming 2012 season, Orange men’s soccer coach
Ian McIntyre announced on Saturday, Feb. 4. The group includes a two-time junior college All-American, member of the 2011 New Zealand U-17 National Team, and three United States Development Academy standouts.
Seven student-athletes currently make up this year’s incoming class.
Noah Ryhnhart and
Morgan Smith both completed high school in December and have already enrolled at Syracuse.
Topdrawersoccer.com has recognized the group as one of the top 18 classes in the nation.
“We are delighted to welcome each of these fine young men into our Syracuse soccer family,” McIntyre said. “It is a talented and technical group of players who possess a real passion and drive to compete for Syracuse University. I would like to thank assistant coaches
Mike Miller and
Jukka Masalin for their tireless work in securing such a talented recruiting class that complements our young squad. We are all excited to continue the work of building a championship caliber program here at Syracuse University.”
Here is a closer look at the five newest members of the Orange:
Anthony Asante, Forward, Bronx, N.Y.
Played two seasons at Monroe College ... Two-time NJCAA Division I All-American ... Led the Mustangs to the 2011 NJCAA Division I Tournament final and 2010 semifinals ... Named to the 2010 and 2011 NJCAA Division I All-Tournament Team ... Recorded 62 points on 23 goals and 10 assists in his two seasons at Monroe ... Was a team captain his sophomore year ... Played high school soccer at Ofori Panin in Ghana.
McIntyre on Asante: “Anthony is a talented, athletic forward who will provide us a different dynamic in the final third. Anthony has really blossomed under the guidance of Coach DiBernardo at Monroe College and will certainly excite our SU fans when he arrives on campus.”
Alexander Bono, Goalkeeper, Baldwinsville, N.Y.
Participated in the U-17 United States National Residency Program Mini-Camp … Garnered 2010-11 United States U-15/16 Development Academy East Conference and National Starting XI honors ... Touted as the top recruit in New York and ranked No. 51 in the nation by
TopDrawerSoccer.com ... Rated the sixth-best goalkeeper, and the No. 46 overall prospect in the country, by
ESPN Rise ... Led C.W. Baker High School to four Section III and two regional titles in four varsity seasons ... Posted a career 0.65 goals-against average and an .885 save percentage for the Bees ... Recorded a 0.80 goals-against average and .847 save percentage during his senior season ... Team captain as a senior ... Played club soccer for Empire United where he was teammates with Stefanos Stamoulacatos.
McIntyre on Bono: “From the first moment our coaching staff arrived at Syracuse, we all agreed that the future success of the program was dependent upon our ability to keep our best local talent home. Alex has tremendous potential and a bright future ahead of him. We feel that Alex is one of the best goalkeepers in the country in this particular class and he has a real presence in the goal.”
Harrison Kendall, Midfield, Warbeth, Pa.
Four-year midfielder at the Haverford School ... Named the No. 13 recruit in Pennsylvania by
TopDrawerSoccer.com ... Named to the
ESPN Rise Pennsylvania Starting 11 squad ... Three-time All-Inter-AC First Team honoree ... Recorded 25 career goals and 54 assists ... Tallied 11 goals and 24 assists during his senior year ... Holds the Haverford School’s single-season assist record (24) ... Team captain as a senior ... Member of the FC Delco club team.
McIntyre on Kendall: “Harrison is a tenacious midfield player with a fantastic work rate and attitude. One of our SU soccer alums initially recommended Harrison and it quickly became apparent that he was a perfect fit for our program and the way we play.”
Stefanos Stamoulacatos, Midfield, Camillus, N.Y.
Member of the 2012 United States U-19 National Team, which competed in the U-19 Stuggart Junior Cup in Germany … Named to the 2010-11 United States U-15/16 Development Academy East Conference Starting XI … Rated the No. 6 prospect in New York, and No. 95 in the country, by
TopDrawerSoccer.com ... Recognized as the No. 63 recruit in the nation by
ESPN Rise … Recorded 27 goals and 23 assists in four seasons at West Genesee High School ... Two-time all-league and All-Central New York honoree ... Earned 2011 NSCAA High School Boys All-Region II Team honors ... Garnered second-team all-state accolades as a senior ... Tallied 15 goals and 21 assists in his senior season ... Two-time team captain ... Played club soccer for Empire United where he was teammates with Alexander Bono.
McIntyre on Stamoulacatos: “We have been watching Stefanos grow as a player for a number of years and he is a very technical, creative player with an exceptional passing range. He will provide us quality in the final third and he has the ability to create chances for himself and teammates out of very little. It is exciting to have such a talented local player join our SU soccer family.”
Jordan Vale, Midfield, Auckland, New Zealand
Played high school soccer at the Mount Albert Grammar School ... Member of the 2011 New Zealand U-17 National Team, which competed at the U-17 World Cup in Mexico ... Started every match in World Cup competition … Recorded a goal in New Zealand’s victory against Uzbekistan ... Member of the Waitakere United club team.
McIntyre on Vale: "Jordan is a young player who has a very bright future here at Syracuse University. He possesses the technique and vision to positively impact our midfield and we look forward to quickly integrating him into our team and our system of play.”
Check SUathletics.com in the upcoming weeks, as additional signees will be announced.