Stetson men’s soccer unveils 9-player recruiting class

Stetson men’s soccer today announced the addition of nine student-athletes for the upcoming 2019 season. The Hatters kick-off the regular season on Aug. 30 at College of Charleston.

“We are very pleased and excited to welcome our 2019 incoming class,” Stetson head coach Cristian Neagu said, “We have a great mixture of cultures and styles of play included in this class. I am expecting them to help elevate our program to new heights.”

Among those signing with the Hatters are Thomas Anderson (Clear Lake, Texas), Brendan Clark (Pompano Beach, Fla.), Daniel Espinosa (Coconut Creek, Fla.), Calum Ferguson (Glasgow, Scotland), Chase Hester (Indian Harbour, Fla.), Lute Lillo Portero (L’Altet (Elche), Spain), Philip Ajmeer Spengler (Tampa, Fla.), Christian Vinasco (Coral Springs, Fla.), and Daniel Wintermeier (Palm Harbor, Fla.).

Thomas Anderson * D * Houston, Texas (Clear Lake HS)
2019 graduate of Clear Lake High School where he was team captain, and Team MVP as a freshman … member and captain of Texans SC Houston U18/19 DA and Texans SC Houston U-16/17 DA – Houston FC PDL … started at age 16 … team captain for Houston Express 01B Navy, the No. 1-ranked team in South Texas … 2017 State Cup Finalist.

Brendan Clark *D * Pompano Beach, Fla. (Boca Raton Community HS) 
2019 graduate of Boca Raton Community High School … played two years in D.C. United Academy … attended Generation Adidas Cup champions division … helped lead Community HS to the FHSAA State Championship in 2016.

Daniel Espinosa * GK * Coconut Creek, Fla. (North Broward Prep)
2019 graduate of North Broward Prep … 3-time first-team all-county selection … Ironman award in 2018 for playing multiple sports in same season … team captain final three seasons … starting goalkeeper for Boca United Academy four years … team captain final three seasons … trained with Atletico Nacional (Colombia) Accolades.

Calum Ferguson * D * Glasgow, Scotland (Chiba Keiai High School, Japan)
Played for youth team of Japanese league club JEF United since 2013 … played 2018 season full time in 16 out of 18 league games as well as in national competitions … participated in Mundial de Clubes Juvenil 2018, including games against Real Madrid and FC Barcelona … named as one of the defenders in the competition’s Best 11.

Chase Hester * M * Indian Harbour Beach, Fla. (West Shore Jr./Sr. High School)
Helped lead West Shore to the 2017 Florida 2A state championship as a starter … named to the All-Cape Coast Conference team … helped lead Space Coast United to the 2019 Florida Club State Championship.

Lute Lillo Portero * GK * L’Altet (Elche), Spain (Colegio Tabladilla)
Previously played at Sevilla FC and Elche CF U18 and U19 teams … two-time U18 league Champion with Sevilla FC … led the team in goals against average … spent time training with both first teams Sevilla FC (LaLiga Santander) and Elche CF (LaLiga 123).

Philip Ajmeer Spengler * M/F * Tampa, Fla. (Tampa Catholic)
Two-time state champion … four-year developmental academy player with the Clearwater Chargers DA … DA playoff participant.

Christian Vinasco * F * Coral Springs, Fla. (North Broward Prep)
2019 graduate of North Broward Prep … team captain … broke school record for career assists with 42 … top scorer in high school and for Doral club team … first-team all-county and Miami Herald All-Area three times … helped lead North Broward to regional finalist spot as a sophomore and two straight district championships.

Daniel Wintermeier * D * Palm Harbor, Fla. (University HS) 
2019 graduate of Palm Harbor University High School … 4-year starter who led the Hurricanes to three district titles and three regional appearances … named Rookie of the Year as a freshman … 3-time Defensive Player of the Year … named first team all-county in 2017 and 2018 and all-conference for 2018-19 …  senior year captain and Team MVP … captained the Tampa Bay United Rowdies ENCL team to a state and regional championship and final four national championship appearance … named to the 2018 National Championship Best XI Team and currently an academy player for USL Championship League Tampa Bay Rowdies.