May 5, 2008

Quotes

DeKALB, Ill. - Northern Illinois men's soccer coach Steve Simmons announced Monday his nine-member 2008 signing class, highlighted by Sycamore High School All-American Brad Horton.

Horton joins fellow Illinois natives Tim King (Arlington Heights/Conant), Chris Tidwell (Shabbona/Indian Creek), and Johnny Tyma (Mundelein/Mundelein). Other members of the class include Alex Evert (Marietta, Ga./Harrison), Jason Guehler (The Colony, Texas/The Colony), Finn Jor (Oslo, Norway/Academy for Elite Athletes), Matt Lampson (Hillard, Ohio/St. Charles Prep), and Franny Otira (London, England/Finchley Catholic).

"To be certain, I am excited about this year's recruiting class and the direction it will help take us in the future," Simmons said. "In addition to filling needs vacated by our outgoing senior class, I see these young student-athletes raising the bar within the team that will allow us to achieve our goals to successfully compete at the national level for years to come."

Perhaps the top recruit in NIU soccer history, Horton (Sycamore, Ill./Sycamore) garnered All-American notice from the National Soccer Coaches Association of American in addition to being named the Illinois State Player of the Year as a senior. A unanimous first team all-state selection, Horton scored a jaw-dropping 44 goals as a senior, including eight hat tricks and a string of 19 consecutive matches with a goal. He holds the Sycamore High School career records for both goals and assists, with 98 and 50, respectively.

Playing club soccer, Horton was equally effective. As a member of the Rockford Raptors (now the Chicago Fire Academy), Horton led his team to the Illinois Cup Championship in 2005, and to the Cup Finals three other times. His team was the Region II Champion in 2004 and 2005. As a member of the Region II Olympic Developmental Program squad, Horton played in tournaments across the globe, including in Spain, Argentina and France. He was also a member of the U.S. Youth National team pool. Horton is currently enrolled at NIU and participated in the spring season after graduating a semester early from Sycamore.

"Brad is the most decorated youth soccer player to come out of DeKalb County," Simmons said. "As a youth All-American and Illinois High School Player of the Year, Brad will be exciting to watch in front of the home fans for a long time."

Horton won't be the only prolific scorer joining the Huskies for the 2008 campaign. The Colony, Texas-native Guehler led the Dallas-Fort Worth area with 78 points as a junior, year in which he also set a The Colony High School record with 29 goals. As a senior, Guehler broke his own record by scoring 44 goals, while setting another school record with 28 assists. His performance brought accolades as a University Interscholastic League All-Tournament Team player, district MVP, and Dallas Morning News Second-Team All-Area honoree. As a member of the Andromeda club, Guehler was the leading goal-scorer for his team, which won the U-17 National Championship in 2007, and to a trio of Dallas Classic League titles.

Offensive weapons Tyma, Evert and Jor will also join Northern Illinois in 2008. Tyma was the top-scorer for the Chicago Sockers FC, the nationally-ranked club program that produced current Huskies Drew Jeskey, Joe Zimka, Josh Karsten and J.C. Aikenhead. Tyma forwent high school soccer, instead playing in the "Top Talent" Metro League, and elite Chicago-based men's conference.

Evert is the leading scorer for the Harrison Hoyas in Marietta, Ga., who won Georgia's 5A state championship in 2006. The Hoyas were also state finalists in 2005. Evert's club experience is with the nationally-ranked Concorde Fire Elite, who were regional champions and national finalists in 2006.

Jor will join Engebreth Faerden as the second Olso, Norway native on the Huskie team this year. Jor tallied seven goals on a team which recorded an 8-1 record in 2007, taking first place in the Junior Interkrets league.

Simmons also added four defensive players to the team for 2008. Tidwell, a goalkeeper, is already playing with the team after transferring to NIU. Tidwell was a NJCAA All-American at Kishwaukee Community College as a freshman. In high school, Tidwell was a three-time All-Little 10 First Team honoree, and garnered all-area accolades as a senior. Tidwell, a mult-sport athlete who garnered all-conference honors in basketball and baseball in addition to soccer, registered 14 shutouts as a senior, the 30th-most in IHSAA history.

A second keeper, Lampson, will also join the Huskies for 2008. Lampson was originally a 2007 recruit, but held off a year after being diagnosed with cancer.

"Matt's journey to NIU was supposed to begin in fall of 2007," Simmons said. "However it took a detour when he was diagnosed with cancer in June 2007. His natural talent combined with his new excitement to get back on the field gives Matt some unique tools to bring to the job here in DeKalb."

London, England's Otira complements Jor in adding international flavor to the 2008 class. Otira captained Borehamwood U18 to the Southern County League title, and won the County Cup with that team.

Arlington Heights, Ill. native King completes Simmons' 2008 group. King was a two-time all-area and all-conference player who earned four varsity letters at Conant High School. Consistently the top defenseman on his team, King played in the IHSSCA Senior Classic after helping his team to a 13-7 record.

The Huskies have compiled a record of 45-28-7 over the last four seasons, including a trip to the second round of the 2006 NCAA Men's Soccer Tournament.