Stetson University men’s soccer welcomes 15 newcomers for Spring 2021 season

Stetson University men’s soccer head coach Emmett Rutkowski unveiled his first recruiting class as the Hatters welcome 15 newcomers for the 2021 spring season.

“We are very excited to welcome this outstanding group of student-athletes to our program,” Rutkowski said. “Our staff has worked extensively to recruit players who will make significant contributions to our program on the field, but most importantly, who will be ambassadors of the university and are young men of great character who aspire to build and develop our culture.”

The class consists of players from four states and three countries. It also includes three transfers, including one from junior college.

The signees are: Maxime Allione (Toulon, France), Ben Alram (Roujan, France), Jano Baxmann (Wietzen, Germany), Oliver Bryneus (Halmstad, Sweden), Tom DiLorenzo (Le Pontet, France), Alex Fuentes (DeLeon Springs, Fla.), Dylan McDermott (Rochester, N.Y.), Colton Myers (St. Simons Island, Ga.), Steele Norton (Lake Mary, Fla.), Spencer Rawlins(Tampa, Fla.), Michael Smith (Port St. Lucie, Fla.), Sebastian Somoza (Fort Myers, Fla.), Luis Vega (DeLand, Fla.), Aidan Whitlock (Raleigh, N.C.), Kelvin Zinck (Oviedo, Fla.).

Maxime Allione – Toulon, France (Lycée Privée de l’ AC Ajaccio)
Attended University of Toulon in France. Played for Olympique Marseille’s famous academy, the highest youth level in France.
Rutkowski on Allione: Max is an exciting, left footed player who can attack and defend well in the flanks. He adds talent and experience to our group having played at the highest youth level in France.

Ben Alram – Roujan, France (Lycée Privé MHSC)
One year University transfer from University of Montpellier … played for Montpellier HSC u19s.
Rutkowski on Alram: Ben is a quick, dynamic attacking player as well as being a strong student. He joins us after competing in the top academy league in France, while also attending University for one year.

Jano Baxmann – Wietzen, Germany (Geschwister Scholl Gesamtschule)
One-year University transfer from Germany, having spent his playing career with Bundesliga clubs Werder Bremen and Borussia Dortmund before coming to Stetson.
Rutkowski on Baxmann: We are really excited to have Jano join our program at Stetson. He has an elite level playing background, as well as showing great character and personality throughout the recruiting process.

Oliver Bryneus – Halmstad, Sweden (Cal Baptist/Aspero Idrotssgymnasium)
Played two seasons at Cal Baptist in Riverside, Calif. … played in 36 games in two seasons with the Lancers, making 33 starts … led CBU with five assists as a sophomore … scored three goals in two seasons … earned WAC All-Freshman honors after starting career with two goals and six assists … twice named WAC All-Academic … 2017 graduate of Aspero Idrottsgymnasium … played with Halmstad BK’s U17, U19, and U21 teams in the highest youth league in Sweden (Allsvenskan).
Rutkowski on Bryneus: Oliver has productive NCAA Division I playing experience and is an All-Academic student. His experience and versatility at playing multiple positions will positively impact our group.

Tom Di Lorenzo – Le Pontet, France
Tom was a key member of HSC Montpellier’s French Ligue 1 u19 championship winning side … is a one-year university transfer from the University of Avignon.
Rutkowski on DiLorenzo: Tom is another exciting player who joins us from the highest youth level in France after spending time with the Academy at HSC Montpellier. He is a tenacious defender in 1v1 situations and has a relentless work ethic.

Alex Fuentes – DeLeon Springs, Fla. (Daytona State/Taylor HS)
Spent two seasons competing and studying at Daytona State College …  in two years scored 5 goals and had 3 assists for the Falcons … 2018 graduate of Taylor High School in Pierson, Fla.
Rutkowski on Fuentes: Alex is a great local signing who joins us after two years with the Daytona State Men‘s Soccer Program.  We‘re excited to add his attacking play along with his great work ethic and humility.

Dylan McDermott – Rochester, N.Y. (Duquesne University/Greece Athena HS)
Played one season at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, Pa. … played in 10 games, making two starts … played a total of 365 minutes … 2019 graduate of Athena High School in Greece, N.Y. … played three years for the Empire United USSDA Team … earned salutatory honors for academics … also earned and athletic scholar award … received a Presidential Award for Academic Excellence.
Rutkowski on McDermott: Because of his Division 1 experience at Duquesne, Dylan knows what it takes to be a successful collegiate player. We look forward to Dylan positively impacting our program on and off the field.

Colton Myers – St. Simons Island, Ga. (Frederica Academy)
2020 graduate of Frederica Academy in Saint Simons Island, Ga. … spent his freshman, sophomore and senior seasons at Frederica, helping the team to a combined 31-5-2 record … two-time all-region pick … All-State as a senior … scored 29 goals and contributed 33 assists in his high school career … won three straight regional championships … played club soccer for Southern Soccer Academy, Carolina Rapids Development Academy, and Jacksonville Armada Development Academy.
Rutkowski on Myers: Colton is a gritty and mentally tough player that we are excited to have in our program. Because of his versatility, we anticipate Colton being an impactful player in multiple roles.

Steele Norton – Lake Mary, Fla. (Lake Mary HS)
2020 graduate of Lake Mary High School in Lake Mary, Fla. … all-county selection as a senior … helped lead Lake Mary to the 2019 5A state championship … played club soccer for Orland City ECNL … teammate of fellow Stetson freshman Kelvin Zinck.
Rutkowski on Norton: Steele joins a growing number of exciting Orlando City youth products that have joined our roster. His speed and ability to get in behind defenses will add another dimension to our attack.

Spencer Rawlins – Tampa, Fla. (Land O’ Lakes HS)
2020 graduate of Land O’ Lakes High School in Land O’ Lakes, Fla. … helped lead Lakes to a 2020 district championship, the school’s first such title in 10 years … team captain as a senior … played club soccer for Tampa Bay Rowdies.
Rutkowski on Rawlins: We‘re excited to have Spencer join the program after his youth career with Tampa Bay Rowdies. He is a player that will add quality and depth to multiple positions in our team.

Michael Smith – Port St. Lucie, Fla. (West Centennial HS)
2020 graduate of West Centennial High School in Port St. Lucie, Fla. … also attended Florida Virtual School … played club soccer for D.C. United Academy and Houston Dynamo Academy.
Rutkowski on Smith: With his strong academy background, Michael has the potential to be a quality Division I goalkeeper during his career. We are happy to welcome him to Stetson and have him in our program.

Sebastian Somoza – Fort Myers, Fla. (Fort Myers HS)
2020 graduate of Fort Myers High School … named Team MVP … chosen for the Region 3 ODP team and the ODP national team … played club soccer for Black Watch Premier and Lee County Strikers.
Rutkowski on Somoza: Sebastian is a strong, aggressive defender that is a great signing for us. He is extremely coachable and always wants to learn and improve which will serve him well throughout his career.

Luis Vega – DeLand, Fla. (DeLand HS)
2020 graduate of DeLand High … helped lead the Bulldogs to a district championship, the school’s first in over 30 years … played club soccer for Stetson FA.
Rutkowski on Vega: We‘re excited to welcome Luis to our program after playing for Stetson FA and Men‘s Soccer Alum Allen Mandell. Luis is an extremely humble and hardworking player that will make us better on and off the field.

Aidan Whitlock – Raleigh, N.C. (Crossroad FLEX)
2020 graduate of Crossroads FLEX in Cary, N.C. … also attended Cardinal Gibbons in Raleigh for his freshman and sophomore years … played club soccer for North Carolina FC Youth … 2014 state cup champions.
Rutkowski on Whitlock: Aidan is a midfield player that could contribute to the program in as early as his first year. His vision and quality on the ball will be a great asset for us in the way we want to play.

Kelvin Zinck – Oviedo, Fla. (Florida Virtual School)
2020 graduate of Florida Virtual School … played club soccer for Orlando City … named to the ECNL All-Conference team … club teammate of fellow Stetson freshman Steele Norton.
Rutkowski on Zinck: After playing at a very competitive level as a youth player for Orlando City, Kelvin will be a great signing for us. He has the correct mentality and drive to succeed at the Division I level.