University of Maryland men’s soccer announces 2015 recruiting class
COLLEGE PARK, Md. (Via Maryland Athletics) – Head coach Sasho Cirovski and the Maryland men’s soccer team announced its 11-player recruiting class for the 2015 season on Wednesday.
“I am very proud to welcome the biggest and deepest class in the history of Maryland Soccer,” Cirovski said. “Each one of our talented signees has the ability to contribute immediately. We have added quality in all areas and, combined with our talented, humble and hungry returnees, I am confident that we have put together the pieces for a team to once again play attractive soccer and contend for championships, as is the tradition and expectation for Maryland Soccer.”
Maryland’s recruiting class includes seven national team players and seven players ranked in the top 100 of the Top Drawer Soccer recruit rankings.
“I want to commend my staff for their great work but I must highlight Brian Rowland, who deserves special recognition for his great work in the recruiting process to secure this great class,” Cirovski said.
Below is a listing of this year’s class:
Before Maryland: Ranked #25 by Top Drawer Soccer and #15 by College Soccer News…Honduras U-20 national team… US U-17 MNT player…DC United Academy member…three-time State Cup champion in Virginia with Team America.
Personal: Jorge Calix was born on Feb. 6, 1996…son of Jose Calix and Isai Ortiz…chose Maryland because it was “close to home”…lists his father as his hero…major is undecided.
Cirovski on Calix: “Jorge is a gifted and versatile attacking player capable of playing multiple places. He has a special left foot and a fantastic shot. His many experiences with both US and Honduras national teams will have him well prepared for the highest levels of college soccer.”
Before Maryland: Ranked #13 by Top Drawer Soccer and #4 by College Soccer News…US U-18 MNT player…member of the Philadelphia Union Academy…competed with the US U-17 MNT in CONCACAF qualifying tournament in Panama…played for Boca United.
Personal: Sebastian Elney was born on June 26, 1997… son of Milher Elney and Dr. Aurora Francois…came to Maryland to “win national championships”…craziest ambition is to own a Chipotle…lists biggest sports thrill as winning the Czech Republic tournament with the US U-18 national team…undecided on major.
Cirovski on Elney: “Seba is a special attacking talent. He is extremely skillful and crafty around the goal. His physical gifts and engaging personality combine to ooze the confidence necessary for a top striker.”
Before Maryland: Captain of the Boca United U-18 team…played for Boca United with Sebastian Elney… helped guide Boca United to the State Cup championship, three Disney Showcase titles and a Jefferson Cup championship…four-time soccer MVP at Scheck Hillel School.
Personal: Aaron Franco was born on March 9, 1997…son of Alberto and Rossana Franco…father played tennis at Yale…came to Maryland for the “pro-environment”…favorite pregame meal is fruit snacks…major is undecided.
Cirovski on Franco: “Aaron is a very creative midfielder who is extremely comfortable with the ball. His soccer IQ allows him to play anywhere on the field and contribute positively to his team.”
Before Maryland: A First Team NSCAA/JUCO All-American at Eastern Florida State Junior College in 2013…tabbed a Second Team NSCAA/JUCO All-American in 2014…named E.F.S.C. Athlete of the Year.
Personal: Ivan Magalhães dos Santos was born on Dec. 23, 1993…son of Edison and Sonia dos Santos…has one brother, Pedro…named to Dean’s List at E.F.S.C…chose Maryland to “be a champion and move on to the next level”…craziest ambition is to travel around the world…major is business.
Cirovski on Magalhães: “Ivan is a very polished defender who is comfortable in both playing out of the back, winning balls and breaking up plays. He has the humility to defend and the skill to play out of the back.”
Before Maryland: Ranked #93 by Top Drawer Soccer and #76 by College Soccer News…US U-18 MNT player pool…member of the DC United Academy…Atlantic Division Best XI for the 2013-14 season…US Soccer Development Academy Eastern Region goal leader and goals per game leader for the 2013-14 season.
Personal: Daniel James Reeves was born on October 14, 1997….son of Gregory and Jacqueline Reeves…father played baseball at Wright State…has one sister, Alexandra…honor roll student at Sherwood High School all four years…creator and founding member of SHOP (Students Help Other People) – an initiative to help students navigate socially and academically in high school…major is business.
Cirovski on Reeves: “DJ is a physically gifted athlete who seems to get better every day. He can play up top or in a wide midfield/forward role. His skill set allows him to be a threat every time he touches the ball. ”
Before Maryland: First Team All-State…played for Clearwater Chargers Development Academy U-18s…played for former Terrapin Doug Smith at Tampa Jesuit…won two state championships in 2012 and 2013 with the Terrapins…three-time All-County selection.
Personal: Andrew Samuels was born on May 15, 1997….son of Yvonne Samuels…hobbies include fishing and boating…chose Maryland for the “beautiful campus, good academics and coaches and team”…undecided on major.
Cirovski on Samuels: “Andrew is very skillful player who is master of playing simple. He is a defensive midfielder who can defend and create. He can also play in the back in both central and wide roles.”
Before Maryland: Ranked #50 by Top Drawer Soccer and #37 by College Soccer News…spent a year in Holland at top youth academy…played for U-18s with Real Salt Lake Academy.
Personal: Amar Sejdic was born on Nov. 29, 1996…son of Rizah and Elvira Sejdic…chose Maryland because of the business school and soccer success…craziest ambition is to skydive over Dubai…major is business.
Cirovski on Sejdic: “Amar has great feet and fantastic comfort with the ball. He has the rare ability to be both a provider and a scorer out of the midfield.”
Before Maryland: Ranked #59 by Top Drawer Soccer and #46 by College Soccer News… US U-18 MNT player…member of Real Salt Lake Academy…Real Salt Lake captured US U-16 Academy Championship in 2013.
Personal: Born in Buenes Aires, Argentina…undecided on major.
Cirovski on Silva: “Diego is an extremely dynamic left back. He has a very cultured left foot, loves to get forward and has fantastic endurance. His attacking mentality fits in perfectly in our style of play.”
Before Maryland: Ranked #33 by Top Drawer Soccer and #25 by College Soccer News…NSCAA National Player of the Year…Maryland State Player of the Year…US U-18 MNT player pool…posted 23 goals and 18 assists to lead McDonogh to a 20-1-0 record in 2014…three-time All-Metro…two-time All-State…two-time NSCAA All-American.
Personal: Connor Smith was born on March 7, 1997…son of Don and Cathy Smith…has one brother, Alec…on honor roll all four years in high school…chose Maryland because its “close to home, great soccer program, great academics and felt like the right place”…major is business.
Cirovski on Smith: “Connor is an elegant box to box midfielder. He has tremendous vision with terrific passing precision and has the range to find anybody at any time.”
Before Maryland: U-18 Canadian National Team goalkeeper…two-sport athlete in soccer and volleyball at Notre Dame Catholic Secondary School…played for Vaughan Soccer Club where he helped squad win League 1 Ontario Cup championship.
Personal: Dayne St. Clair was born on May 9, 1997…son of Fabian and Julie St. Clair…has one sibling, Arisa…served as Student Athletic Association President while in high school….chose Maryland for the “rich tradition of winning and producing pros”…major is psychology.
Cirovski on St. Clair: “Dayne is a very athletic goalkeeper with massive potential. He has good hands, organizes very well and is very comfortable in distribution with both his hands and feet.”
Before Maryland: Ranked #61 by Top Drawer Soccer and #60 by College Soccer News…US U-18 MNT player…played for U-18s with DC United Academy…part of state champion T.C. Williams squad in 2014…named First Team All-State, All-Conference and All-Region with the Titans.
Personal: Eryk Tyrek Williamson was born June 11, 1997…son of Nicole Brisco…has three siblings, Andre Brisco, Tiffany Brisco and Terell Williamson…brother, Terell, plays soccer at Chowan University…lists Jackie Robinson as his sports hero…related to Queen Latifah (cousin)…came to Maryland to “win a national championship”…undecided on major.
Cirovski on Williamson: “Eryk is another great attacking talent. Like Jorge, he can play in multiple roles in attack. Possesses a unique ability to run at his opponents like water going through the path of least resistance while also having a lethal ability to score from a variety of ways.”
