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UNIVERSITY OF DAYTON MEN'S SOCCER SIGNS EIGHT PHENOMS FOR '09 SEASON
Feb. 5, 2009
DAYTON, Ohio - Head Coach Dennis Currier unveiled the University of Dayton men’s soccer 2009 recruiting class Thursday, announcing eight student athletes committed to play for the Flyers.
"We are extremely excited about our 2009 recruiting class,” said Currier. “This class will continue our tradition of hard working student-athletes who will excel on and off the field.”
Fresh off an Atlantic 10 Men’s Soccer Championship and a berth to the NCAA Tournament, the Flyers look to build on that success with a very talented incoming class for the 2009 season. Currier believes this class could rival the highly-successful 2006 class, now seniors on the UD squad.
“On paper, we feel that this could be the most talented group of players entering our program since 2006,” said Currier. “Competition will be fierce next season with the majority of our squad returning.”
The average height of the incoming class is 6-foot-1 and they are loaded with experience. The incoming class includes four players from Texas, two from Missouri and one each from Virginia and Ohio. The 2009 University of Dayton men’s soccer class includes: Ryan Bauer (O’Fallon, Mo.), Chad Caldwell (Highland Village, Texas), Sam Cooksey (O’Fallon, Mo.), Nate Dombrowski (Flower Mound, Texas), Evan McCreary (Canton, Ohio), Daniel Rice (Annandale, Va.), Matt Russo (Denton, Texas) and Sewell Strifler (Plano, Texas).
“Sewell and Chad led their teams to a national championship. Evan was a key member of the team that faced them in the national championship game,” said Currier. “Ryan was recently called into the U-18 national pool. Nate, Matt, Sam and Daniel all come from some of the top club and high school teams in the nation.
“One of our keys to our success last year was our set pieces due to our size and this class will actually increase our size even more,” added Currier. “These student-athletes all have one common attribute – they are all winners."
Here is a look at the newest Flyers:
Sewell Strifler Position: MF Height: 6’3” Hometown: Plano, Texas High School: Jesuit Preparatory School of Dallas Club: Andromeda SC
Coach Currier’s Comment on Sewell Strifler: Sewell is a very athletic player who can play anywhere in the midfield. He is a fierce competitor that played a significant role in leading Andromeda SC to a national championship. He currently captains the No. 1 high school team in the nation, Jesuit. We are excited that he has chosen to be a Flyer.
High School Accolades – Has scored 24 goals in seven games so far this season for Dallas Jesuit College Prep, the No. 1 Boys Team in Texas Class 5A Coaches Poll, along with fellow signee Nate Dombrowski…DJCP is also ranked the No. 1 Boys Team in the nation by ESPN Rise Magazine and is No. 2 in the nation in the NSCAA/adidas Poll…Led Andromeda SC to the U17 USYS National Championship…Named to the Top 10 Class of 2009 as the No. 7 recruit out of Texas by TopDrawerSoccer.com and named to the Top 100 National Class of 2009 as the 88th best recruit by the same publication.
Evan McCreary Position: MF/F Height: 6’4” Hometown: Canton, Ohio High School: Massillon Jackson Club/ODP: Everest FC/Ohio North
Coach Currier’s Comment on Evan McCreary: Evan is a big, athletic target forward with an excellent work rate. He has a tremendous history of scoring goals and led his club team to the national final.
High School Accolades – Was named First Team all-Region and All-State his senior season at Massillon Jackson after leading the squad to a 17-1-2 record…Earned Federal League and District Player of the Year honors, and was named Jackson’s MVP after scoring 21 goals in 2008…A four-time First Team All-Federal League pick and a three-time First Team All-County selection…Led the Polar Bears to a State runner-up finish in 2007 and three Federal League Championships (2005, 2007, 2008)…Played for the Everest FC that were crowned Regional Champs and were 2008 National Championship finalists.
Nathan Dombrowski Position: F/MF Height: 6’0” Hometown: Flower Mound, Texas High School: Jesuit Preparatory School of Dallas Club/ODP: FC Dallas/Texas U10-U14
Coach Currier’s Comment on Nate Dombrowski: Nate is a versatile attacking player with excellent quickness. He has received tremendous coaching from FC Dallas Youth and Coach DeLong at Jesuit.
High School Accolades – A two-time Second Team all-district selection after leading his high school to a 47-3 record and two regional appearances…Scored 23 goals and had 16 assists in the two seasons…Plays for Dallas Jesuit College Prep, the No. 1 Boys Team in Texas Class 5A Coaches Poll, along with fellow signee Sewell Strifler…DJCP is also ranked the No. 1 Boys Team in the nation by ESPN Rise Magazine and is No. 2 in the nation in the NSCAA/adidas Poll…Plays for FC Dallas Academy.
Ryan Bauer Height: 6’0” Hometown: O’Fallon, Mo. High School: Chaminade College Preparatory Club/ODP: Scott Gallagher/Missouri
Coach Currier’s Comment on Ryan Bauer: A standout for Chaminade HS and Scott Gallagher, Ryan is considered one of the top youth players in the 2009 class. He is a tremendous leader that can play anywhere in the midfield as well as up top. He possesses every quality that a Dayton Flyer is about.
High School Accolades – Named Second Team All-State and All-Metro after captaining Chaminade to the 2008 Class 3 District Championship…Scored six goals and had four assists and was named team MVP…A 4.0 student and member of National Honor Society…Played at the National Camp in Carson, Calif. in 2008-09 season…Has played for Scott Gallaher U.S. Development Academy Team since 2007 and was named Starting XI in Midwest Region by U.S. Soccer…Named the 14th Top Recruit for the National Class of 2009 by TopDrawerSoccer.com…Trained with Clube Athletico Paranese for five weeks in Curitiba, Brazil with their U17 squad…Holds a National D Coaching License and is a USSF soccer referee.
Sam Cooksey Position: GK Height: 6’3” Hometown: O’Fallon, Mo. High School: St. Dominic Club/ODP: Scott Gallagher/Missouri
Coach Currier’s Comment on Sam Cooksey: Sam comes from one of the top clubs in the nation, Scott Gallagher and will give us tremendous depth at the goalkeeping position.
High School Accolades – Named Missouri Goalkeeper of the Year and a three-time Class 2 All-State selection…Also a three-time all-AAA Conference selection and named AAA Goalkeeper of the Year…Led St. Dominic to three state appearances, including a runner-up finish in 2006…Owns the school record for career wins (70) and shutouts (46)…Closed out career with 660 saves…Plays club ball for Scott Gallagher, two-time Missouri State champions (2006 & 2007).
Matt Russo Position: D Height: 6’0” Hometown: Denton, Texas High School: Lake Dallas Club: Dallas Texans
Coach Currier’s Comment on Matt Russo: Matt is a very athletic center back that has tremendous 1v1 defending ability. He continues our successful pipeline with one of the most prestigious clubs in the nation, the Dallas Texans.
High School Accolades – A two-time Second Team all-district selection for Lake Dallas…Named Defensive MVP as a freshman…Earned the Merit Scholar Award…Plays club for the Dallas Texans, two-time Premier League champions, and the 2008 State Cup champs.
Chad Caldwell Height: 6’2” Hometown: Highland Village, Texas High School: Marcus Club: Andromeda
Coach Currier’s Comment on Chad Caldwell: Chad is an athletic forward with excellent size. He led Andromeda SC to a national championship. He is an imposing threat over 90 minutes with his size and relentless work rate.
High School Accolades – Led Marcus High School to back-to-back 5A State Championships…Scored 28 goals and had 12 assists in two seasons and the Marauders posted a 56-3-3 combined record…Earned All-State Tournament honors in 2008, as well as being honored with the Marcus Newcomer Award…Born in South Africa, he also led his club Andromeda to a national championship.
Daniel Rice Position: MF Height: 6’0” Hometown: Annandale, Va. High School: Gonzaga College High School Club: DC United Academy
Coach Currier’s Comment on Daniel Rice - Daniel is an athletic midfielder that captained the No. 4 ranked high school team in the nation, Gonzaga. He is highly regarded in the DC United youth program.
High School Accolades – Was named Third Team All-Met in 2008 after scoring 17 goals and notching 15 assists for the No. 4 team in the nation, Gonzaga College High School…Was also named a TopDrawerSoccer.com Player to Watch in the U.S. Development Academy…In three seasons at Gonzaga, tallied 30 goals, 31 assists and 91 points…Played for Team America that advanced to four consecutive Virginia State Cups, winning it all in 2002 and 2004…Currently plays club for DC United Academy.
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