VCU men’s soccer unveils 9-player signing class ranked No. 26 in nation

RICHMOND, Va. – Head Coach Dave Giffard and VCU Men’s Soccer will welcome nine new signees to the 2020 roster, it was announced Friday.

The incoming class is ranked No. 26 by TopDrawer Soccer. This is the fourth-consecutive top ranked recruiting class following No. 15, No. 18 and No. 19 rankings the last three years.

“This year’s class in another great mixture of what we look for in a new group of players,” said Giffard. “We were again fortunate enough to add what we felt were the top players in Virginia who fit us and what we value. At the same time, we’ve added some really talented players from other parts of our country and around CONCACAF.”

VCU’s nine signings include: Tariq Moutaouakil (Midfielder; McLean, Va.), David Hughes (Midfielder; Moseley, Va.), Nolan Coetzee (Striker; Glen Allen, Va.), Andrea Nguionza (Midfielder; Ontario, Can.), William Hitchcock (Midfielder; Frisco, Tex.), Jonathan Kanagawa (Midfielder; Entebbe, Uganda), Elton Quintanilla (Striker; Leesburg, Va.), Scott McLeod (Defender; Kingston, Jamaica) and Noah Wright (Defender; Bowie, Md.).

The new additions will compliment 26 returners that compiled a 6-1-1 Atlantic 10 record in 2019.

MEET THE NEW RAMS

Tariq Moutaouakil – Midfielder – McLean, Va.

Tariq Moutaouakil will join the Rams after playing for McLean High School. In addition, the midfielder was a key player for McLean ECNL.

David Hughes – Midfielder – Moseley, Va.

A Richmond area native, David Hughes joins VCU after playing for Richmond United. The midfielder also has experience playing for the United States U-15 National Team.

Nolan Coetzee – Striker – Glen Allen, Va.

Another local native, Nolan Coetzee will join the Rams’ talented offensive force. Coetzee spent his junior career with Richmond United.

Andrea Nguionza – Midfielder – Aurora, Ont., Can.

Midfielder Andrea Nguionze joins VCU after captaining the École Secondaire Catholique Renaissance team. Nguionze played at the club level for Vaughan Azzurri and was also a member of the Canadian Provincial Team.

William Hitchcock – Midfielder – Frisco, Tex.

Texas native William Hitchcock will join the VCU squad after playing for Wakeland High School. At the club level, the midfielder played for Solar Soccer Club.

Jonathan Kanagawa – Midfielder – Entebbe, Uganda

Midfielder Jonathan Kanagawa captained Savior New American School NY before joining the Rams. Kanagawa was a member of Lake Grove Newfield SC, but most recently joined NYCFC U19 where he played the last year.

Elton Quintanilla – Striker – Leesburg, Va.

Elton Quintanilla is a striker who joins the VCU squad after captaining the Forest Park High School team. In addition, Quintanilla played for Loudoun ECNL.

Scott McLeod – Defender – Kingston, Jamaica

Defender Scott McLeod is an experienced defender from Kingston, Jamaica where he captained the Jamaican U-15 and U-17 National Teams. With Kingston College, he led his team to earning the prestigious Manning Cup Championship title in 2018.

Noah Wright – Defender – Bowie, Md.

Noah Wright is a transfer from Alvernia University. The defender appeared in 38 games and scored a goal and dished out two assists in his two seasons with Alvernia.

“This is probably as solid a top to bottom of recruiting class that we have had in my ten years here at VCU,” added Giffard. “I think each of these nine young men have the potential to be impactful during the course of their careers here.”