Air Force men’s soccer program announces 18-player recruiting class

U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo. – The U.S. Air Force Academy’s head men’s soccer coach Doug Hill has announced the addition of 18 freshman to the 2019 roster.

The class includes eight Development Academy players with four coming in by way of the USAFA Prep School. Members of the class of 2023 come from nine different states across the country.

“Coach Foster did an outstanding job bringing in another strong quality class,” Hill said. “This class will add strength and depth to our team. We graduated 10 seniors with nine of them being starters last season so some of the new recruits will have an opportunity to step in right away and make contributions, and hopefully a difference.”

“It is traditionally very hard for a freshmen to break into the starting lineup,” Hill continued.  “This year will be different, the newcomers will be required to mature quickly to take on the demands of Division I ball and I know some of these young men are ready to compete hard for starting positions.”

Freshmen to Watch
London Aghedo (Valencia, California/USAFA Prep):   So Cal Real Development Academy player that was highly recruited and a strong athletic center back. He attend the USAFA Prep School and will be more comfortable with the freshmen year with his prep school experience.  He is very quick and great one-on-one defender that will be a competitive center back that should challenge for minutes and a starting position immediately.

Luke Hill (Colorado Springs, Colorado/USAFA Prep): Real CO Development Academy Player, another USAFA Prep School grad that has a tremendous work rate and very savvy on the ball with good vision.  His quickness and attacking abilities will be needed to help replace the midfield and forward positions. We expect to see him competing for many minutes and a starting position.

Quinn Matulis (Oak Park, California):  So Cal Real Development Academy Player that has a good soccer mind with good soccer feet. He comes from the same club and played with London Aghedo and can combine well in the midfield and make teams play.  He has the engine and plays with needed pace in the midfield.

Keenan Sweeney (Akron, Ohio): International Development Academy Player who spent the last semester of High School in Argentina sharpening his already great soccer skills.  He has the ability to connect the field with passes and vision and a good shooter of the ball.  He will compete for minutes in the midfield and plays with a maturity level needed at the Division I level.

Alexander Wendt (Denver, Colorado): Real CO Development Academy Player, a previous year teammate of Luke Hill that was a standout Center Back for his Academy team. He is very quick and able to defend top attackers with his exceptional one-on-one defending.  He may see time as an outside back with speed and ability to get up the field and cross quality balls.  Very competitive player that loves to compete!  Will challenge for a starting spot and strengthen our defense.

Also joining the roster with the class of 2023, Matt Benson (Columbia, SC), Nicholas Bourgeois (Phoenix, AZ), Elijah Bussey (Sierra Vista, AZ), John Byszewski (Mission Viejo, CA), Jake Chavettz (Grand Junction, CO), Andrew Dragota (Canton, OH), Tyler Johnson (Placentia, CA), Kai Gill (La Canada, CA), John Hilbert (Ponte Verde, FL), Aaron Hill (Albuquerque, NM), Trevor Lanigan (Wilmette, IL), Mark Tienken (West Chester, NY) and Anthony Torres (Daly City, CA).

The Falcons open the 2019 campaign with exhibition play against the University of Denver, at noon, Saturday, August 13.  Air Force kicks the regular off against Army, August 31.