Coach Jeremy Gunn nets 13 in his first recruiting class at Charlotte. |
|
|
Coach Gunn Nets 13 In First Recruiting Class At Charlotte
July 5, 2007
Charlotte, NC - Charlotte 49ers men's soccer coach Jeremy Gunn has received 13 commitments for the 2007 season, to go along with the 12 returning letterwinners on the 49ers roster. Eight states are represented among the signees; including three players from North Carolina, two from Colorado, two from Pennsylvania, and one each from Texas, Alabama, Washington, New York, and Georgia. The twelve American players will be joined by one Englishman. Gunn welcomes Andres Cuero from Austin, Texas, George Coyle from High Wycombe, England, Tyler Duncan from Raleigh, North Carolina, Aaron Kepler from Fort Collins, Colorado, University of Connecticut transfer Josh Norwood from Federal Way, Washington, Gardner-Webb University transfer Chris Salvaggione from Monument, Colorado, Will Shull from Shelby, North Carolina, Robert Morris University transfer Chris Skovira from Scottdale, Pennsylvania, Will Summey from Raleigh, North Carolina, Tim Tritch from Watsontown, Pennsylvania, Matt Wallace from Birmingham, Alabama, Bryan White from Delmar, New York and Ryan Whitehead from Fayetteville, Georgia.
"I am really excited to see the boys arrive for preseason," Gunn said. "Some of the players were already committed to Charlotte when I arrived, and so I haven't seen them play much. We will have many new faces this year, mine included, and so the preseason will be an exciting time bringing everyone together. My hope is that the newcomers will be able to compete immediately, and that the team will be settled once we hit the second part of the season. We are bringing in some talented players, it's really just about getting the team firing on all cylinders as quickly as possible."
Cuero, a forward from Westlake High School in Austin, Texas, was a member of the Region III ODP team which toured Spain in 2006. This past January, he was invited to the U.S.S.F. National Pool Camp at the National Training Center in Chula Vista, California. At Westlake, he was named Central Texas Newcomer of the Year in 2004. He earned all-district and all-region honors twice. He plays for the Lonestar Soccer Club.
|
|
 |
"Andres is great at combining in tight spaces and always makes very good runs," Gunn said. "He will be a good linking forward and should tally both goals and assists for us. Andres will be a fun player to watch and should contribute early on in his career at Charlotte".
Coyle, a midfielder from John Hampden Grammar School in High Wycombe, England, played for the Chesham United Football Youth Club team. He was also team captain at John Hampden.
"George is a technically sound, tough tackling central midfielder," Gunn said. "He will add some steel to the middle of midfield - he's a bit of a midfield general. If he adapts quickly to the climate and style of play he should have a tremendous freshman year."
Duncan, a defender from Raleigh, North Carolina's Broughton High School, is a member of the 2006 Region III ODP team which won the ODP National Championship. He played an integral role on the Triangle Futbol Club team which was a 2006 Snickers State Cup Finalist and a Super Y League participant. At Broughton, he earned all-state honors.
"Tyler is a natural left-footed player, who will look to compete for the left back position," Gunn said. "He has a wide range of distribution and can get forward when opportunities arise."
Kepler, a forward/midfielder from Fort Collins High School in Colorado, was an integral member of the 2005 5A state championship and the 2006 5A State Championship runner-up teams. He was a high school teammate of 2006 Atlantic 10 All-Rookie team goalkeeper David Martin. He plays club soccer for the Colorado State Cup Finalist Real Colorado.
"Aaron has a tenacity and edge to how he plays the game," Gunn said. "He is quick and skillful, and always tries to assert his personality on the game. He is equally happy playing anywhere in midfield or up front."
Norwood, a defender from Decatur High School in Federal Way, Washington, transferred to Charlotte after seeing action in nine games as a freshman last season at the University of Connecticut. At Decatur High School, he was a three-time All-Washington selection. He played for the Region IV ODP and Washington State ODP teams. Norwood was also a member of FC United which is a powerhouse club program in Washington youth soccer.
"Josh will add a wealth of experience to the defensive unit, having already experienced college soccer at a high level," Gunn said. "He is extremely versatile, and so could adapt to any number of positions."
Salvaggione, a forward from Lewis Palmer High School in Monument, Colorado, transferred to Charlotte after scoring eight goals and collecting two assists in 31 games over the past two seasons at Gardner-Webb University. Prior to going to Gardner-Webb, he was a two-year member of the Colorado ODP state team and a Regional ODP camp participant. He also earned first-team all-state and all-league honors as a senior at Lewis Palmer where he led his team to the 2004 state title, the state finals in 2003 and the state semifinals in 2002. Salvaggione helped the Colorado Rush club team to the United State Club Soccer National Championship. He is playing this summer with the DFW Tornadoes of the Premier Development League.
"I tried my best to recruit Chris out of high school, and so I am elated to finally get to work with him," Gunn said. "He is a truly dynamic attacking player. He has pace, skill, and vision, but also understands movement off the ball. Going into his junior year he is poised for two tremendous seasons."
Shull, a forward from Shelby High School in North Carolina, played for the 2006 Snickers State Cup Champion Charlotte United Futbol Club team. He also helped the Charlotte United play for the USYSA Region III Club Championship this summer in Arkansas. He played for the North Carolina ODP team that won the 2006 Region III ODP Championship and the ODP National Championship. Shull won the Golden Boot Award as the leading goal scorer at the ODP National Tournament. At Shelby High School, he was named Conference Player of the Year. He also earned all-state, all-region, All-Piedmont honors as well as a Scholar-Athlete award.
"We are glad to be retaining some local born talent this recruiting class with three players from North Carolina," Gunn said. "Will is going to be a great asset to our program in upcoming years. He is a slashing, quick forward who is difficult to play against. He constantly puts defenders under pressure, and possesses a great left foot."
Skovira, a midfielder from Southmoreland High School in Scottdale, Pennsylvania, transferred to Charlotte after seeing action in 14 games as a freshman at Robert Morris University last season. He was a Regional Y-League ODP player as a member of the talented Penns Forest club team. At Southmorelenad, he earned all -section and All-WUPIL honors twice.
"Chris has gained a year of experience in college already and should make the team deeper in talent," Gunn said.
Summey, a defender from Sanderson High School in Raleigh, North Carolina, was a teammate of Tyler Duncan on the Triangle Futbol Club team which was a 2006 Snickers State Cup Finalist and a Super Y League participant. He was also a member of the Super Y League Regional Team. He also played on the North Carolina ODP team that won the 2006 Region III ODP Championship and the 2007 ODP National Championship.
"Will is a smooth right back who defends well and opens out into the attack whenever possible," Gunn said.
Tritch, a midfielder from Warrior Run High School in Watsontown, Pennsylvania, played club soccer for the Pennsylvania Classics.
"Tim is a really busy player," Gunn said. "He has a tremendous engine, works hard, and moves well, always looking to get involved. He can play anywhere across the midfield or up front."
Wallace, a midfielder from Briarwood Christian High School in Birmingham, Alabama, played an integral role on a 4A state championship team. He plays club soccer for the Briarwood Soccer Club.
"Matt is a central midfielder who is smooth and technical," Gunn said. "He is quick enough to beat players as well as having a wonderful range of passing."
White, a forward from Bethlehem Central High School in Delmar, New York, has led his Blackwatch Soccer Club team in goals and points for the last five years. He is a member of the Eastern New York ODP team as well as a Region I ODP Pool player. This past January, he was invited to the Super Y League ODP National Camp which recognizes the best young soccer players in the country. At Bethlehem Central, he earned first-team all-conference honors as the league's top goal scorer. He was also named first-team NYS Section 2.
"Pace and athleticism are key ingredients to being a successful Division 1 player and Bryan has both of these attributes," Gunn said. "His ability to get behind defenses and finish is second to none and has made him a marked man at every level he has played. I am excited to see his transition to the college game and am expecting big things in this boy's future."
Whitehead, a defender from Fayetteville County High School in Georgia, is a starting defender for the Georgia ODP team. He is also a Region III ODP pool player. At Fayetteville High School, he earned all-region honors twice as he helped his team reach the state semifinals and the state Sweet Sixteen in consecutive years. He is a member of the AFC Lightning Premier Club team.
"With the graduation of our two starting defenders, we will be expecting Ryan to compete for a starting position as a freshman," Gunn said.
These 13 newcomers will join 12 returning letterwinners as the 49ers begin their first season under Gunn in an exhibition game at Winthrop, August 20. The 49ers return to Transamerica Field for the final exhibition game when they host UNC Wilmington, Saturday, August 25 at 7 pm. Then, the 49ers start the regular season against San Jose State in a tournament at Davidson, Friday, August 31 at 5 pm.
