Feb. 7, 2008

GREEN BAY, Wis. - Green Bay men's soccer head coach Tom Poitras has announced the addition of nine student-athletes as his 2008 freshman class.

Included in Poitras' crop of newcomers is Green Bay men's soccer's first high school All-American since the 1994 season as well as five other all-state honorees and eight team captains.

Joining the Phoenix in 2008 are Paul Box (Naperville, Ill./Neuqua Valley), Josh Chamberlain (De Pere, Wis./De Pere), Stuart Grable (Neenah, Wis./Neenah), AJ Konchar (Cedar Rapids, Iowa/Xavier), Joe Marasco (Milwaukee, Wis./Pius XI), Travis Meikle (Cottage Grove, Wis./Monona Grove), Mike Ohnesorge (Mosinee, Wis./Mosinee), Tony Patterson (Menomonee Falls, Wis./Menomonee Falls) and Ryan Wehking (St. Louis, Mo./Priory).

Each player has either signed a National Letter of Intent or has been admitted to UW-Green Bay and committed to playing for the Phoenix.

"Our 2008 class has a lot of guys who are both used to winning and being in leadership roles," said Poitras. "Leadership and success are traits necessary for us to continue developing our program. The players in this class demonstrate those characteristics."

Box, a 6-0 defender, aided Neuqua Valley to an Illinois High School Association Class AA state tournament runner-up finish in 2007. A two-year starter and team captain, Box aided the Wildcats in earning a No. 5 national ranking while gaining all-city and all-conference honors.

"Paul has a lot of traits to be a very good Division I defender," said Poitras. "He is athletic, tough and hard working. We look forward to seeing Paul contribute and compete for the Phoenix."

Chamberlain, a 5-11 midfielder, was a three-year starter at De Pere High School and was a two-year captain for the Redbirds. He helped De Pere to a 22-5-1 record in 2007 and a Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association state quarterfinal appearance. Chamberlain also gained all-area player of the year honors and was a two-time all-conference selection while ranking first in his class academically.

"Josh is a talented local player and we have been watching him for years," said Poitras. "We are excited to have him join our program. He is a technically sound midfielder and a smart player. He has the type of character we look for in our players, both on and off the field."

Grable, a 5-10 midfielder/forward, earned All-America honors from the National Soccer Coaches Association of America after a stellar senior season at Neenah High School. Grable garnered first-team all-region honors and was named the Wisconsin Player of the Year in 2007 after leading the Rockets to a WIAA Division 1 title. Grable also was a standout for FC Milwaukee, where he aided his team in finishing second in the country.

"Stuart will be a great addition to our midfield," said Poitras. "He is a highly decorated player and a winner at the club level. We believe his best soccer is still ahead of him."

Konchar, a 6-2 forward/midfielder, enters his senior season this spring. A three-year starter for the Saints, he led his prep team in scoring the last two years on his way to earning all-state and all-conference honors. Konchar aided Xavier in posting a 60-6 record over the past three seasons, including Iowa High School Athletic Association Class 1A championships in 2005 and 2006.

"AJ is a big, athletic forward who can also play in the midfield," said Poitras. "He has good feet for his size and will fit into our style of play. We look forward to AJ having a nice career in a Phoenix uniform."

Marasco (pronounced mar-AH-sco), a 5-11 defender, was the team captain for Milwaukee Pius XI as the Popes finished the 2007 campaign with a 19-3-2 record. A first-team all-state honoree, Marasco also was a two-time all-conference and all-area selection. At the club level, Marasco was also a member of the FC Milwaukee club team that posted back-to-back top three finishes at the national tournament.

"Joe is a hard-working player who is really excited to be a part of our program," said Poitras. "At the same time, we are excited to have him join Green Bay soccer. He is a guy who always helps his team win."

Meikle, (pronounced MEE-kuhl) a 6-4 goalkeeper, was a two-year starter at Monona Grove. As a prep, Meikle was a two-time all-conference selection and gained all-state honors as a senior. At the Olympic Development Program level, Meikle has been a four-year participant at the state level and was a Region II team member last year.

"Travis is a vocal and hard-working goalkeeper with a great build for the position," said Poitras. "He has ODP experience at both the regional and state level and he will enhance our already deep goalkeeper position."

Ohnesorge (pronounced oh-neh-SORE-gee), a 6-0 forward/midfielder, was the Mid-State Conference player of the year in 2007 and was named the 2007 offensive player of the year by the Wausau Daily Herald. As a senior at Mosinee, Ohnesorge was named a second-team all-state performer by the Wisconsin Soccer Coaches Association. The four-year starter tallied 99 goals and 27 assists during his prep career.

"Mike is a good athlete who will excel in a strong soccer environment," said Poitras. "He is very focused and driven to succeed. We look forward to having him join Green Bay soccer."

Patterson, a 5-8 midfielder, was a four-year starter and a second-team all-state honoree at Menomonee Falls High School. A team captain and MVP for the Indians, Patterson is the third of Green Bay's recruiting class to hail from the FC Milwaukee club. A five-year member of FC Milwaukee, Patterson has aided the club in posting four state championships, two regional titles and its back-to-back national tournament appearances.

"Tony is a true competitor who takes on challenges and constantly succeeds," said Poitras. "He is another guy who helps his team win. As a coach, I can never have enough of those kind of players."

Wehking, a 6-2 goalkeeper and son of former Green Bay soccer standout Matt Wehking (1974-77), guided Priory to a perfect 26-0-0 record and a Missouri Class 2 state title in 2005. Wehking garnered first-team all-state honors twice during his prep career and was named the state's Class 2 goalkeeper of the year in 2006. During his career with the Rebels, Wehking had 34 shutouts as a prep.

"Ryan comes from a well-known soccer family associated with Green Bay soccer," said Poitras. "He is a good athlete having earned all-state honors in both soccer and football. Ryan joins a strong goalkeeping corps and he will be a quality addition to the Phoenix."

Green Bay is coming off an 11-5-6 season in 2007, the team's second-straight 10-win campaign. Along the way, the Phoenix set a team record with 12 shutouts, including shutout wins over NCAA national runners-up Ohio State and NCAA Elite Eight participant UIC. The Phoenix also appeared in the Horizon League title game for the second straight season.