NC State men’s soccer program unveils signing class

RALEIGH, N.C. – NC State men’s soccer head coach George Kiefer has announced the Wolfpack’s newcomers ahead of the start of the 2020 season.

Coming off three straight NCAA Tournament appearances in his first three seasons at the helm of the Pack, Kiefer and his staff will welcome in a pair of transfers from Appalachian State (who discontinued their program), a legacy transfer from Wake Tech and five new freshmen.

“With the foundation that we have been building here at NC State, we are now able to go out and be able to be very specific in our recruiting,” said Kiefer. “These newcomers hit on all the position groups, and I’m really excited to see them out on the field as they have all played high-level soccer and will be tremendous additions to our team culture.

“I’m also very happy about their academic backgrounds, and how they will excel here in the classroom.”

Meet the newcomers:

Declan Brose
Midfielder
5-8 • 145
Holly Springs, N.C. • Home Schooled/Wake Tech
• Transferred to NC State after playing one season at Wake Tech
• Earned all-conference honors after stating 13 games and finishing with seven goals and seven assists.
• Took a gap year out of high school and played in France for Stade Briochin.
• Posted a 3.6 GPA at Wake Tech.
• Son of former Wolfpack All-American Dario Brose.

Marco Cottone
Defender
5-8 • 160
Syosset, N.Y. • Syosset HS
• Played for Met Oval Academy
• Named All-County as a junior
• Full name is Marco Cosimo Cottone
• Born February 14, 2002
• Son of Vincent and Maria Cottone

Parker Cross
Defender
5-5 • 160
Cary, N.C. • Panther Creek HS/Appalachian State
• Transferred to NC State after playing his first two seasons at Appalachian State.
• As a sophomore (2019), started all 19 games and finished with three assists.
• As a freshman (2018), appeared in 14 games with one start.
• Tallied 38 goals and 14 assists in two seasons at Panther Creek.
• Named all-state as a junior and all-conference twice.
• Born September 7, 1999
• Son of Brian and Brittany Cross and has three brothers.

Alex Darko
Defender
5-7 • 158
Accra, Ghana • St. Andrews HS
• Played for Phoenix Academy
• Helped team become Inter High School Champions and Inter Houses Champions
• Named Phoenix Academy Tournament MVP
• Born August 11, 1998
• Son of Alex Kweku Darko

Alex Hernandez
Midfielder
5-6 • 165
Asheboro, N.C. • Asheboro HS/Appalachian State
• Transferred to NC State after playing his first two seasons at Appalachian State.
• As a sophomore (2019), lead the Mountaineers in scoring with a team-high five goals and also one assist. Played in all 19 games, with 16 starts.
• As a freshman (2018), played in 17 games with one start. Tied for second on the team with three goals. Named Sun Belt Offensive Player of the Week for the game-winning goal in a 2-1 win vs. #22 Coastal Carolina.
• Played for USSDA Fusion. Scored 25 goals in three seasons and helped the team to a National Cup final.
• Posted a 4.67 GP in high school, finishing 18th in his class.
• Born on Sept. 16, 2000
• Son of Silvia Karina Hernandez
• Has six siblings (four sisters, two brothers)

Pau Palacin
Forward
6-4 • 180
Alzira, Spain • University of Valencia
• Played for multiple clubs in Spain: UD Alzira, Valencia CF U18 academy, Hercules U19 academy, and UE Tavernes
• Scored nine goals in his final campaign
• Full name is Pau Palacin Serra
• Born on April 22, 2000
• Son of Francisco Jose Palacin Perez and Sonia Serra Pla

Tyler Perrie
Goalkeeper
5-10 • 165
Waldorf, Md. • North Point HS
• Played for D.C. United Academy
• Coached by Javier Cano
• Team captain and MVP as a senior
• An honor roll student all four years in high school, also won the Principal’s Honor award.
• Also a letterwinner on the swimming team
• Born on June 4, 2001
• Son of Joe and Shellie Perrie

Jahon Rad
Midfielder
6-1 • 164
Durham, N.C. • Shawnee Mission West (KS)
• Played for Sporting KC Academy
• Full name is Jahon Alexander Rad
• Born on June 13, 2001
• Son of Mehran Rad
• Has two brothers: Cyrus is a senior on the NC State men’s soccer team and older brother Kaveh Rad plays professionally for Swope Park Rangers.