VMI men’s soccer announces 10-player recruiting class

LEXINGTON, Va. – The VMI men’s soccer team announced its 2020 recruiting class, as first-year head coach Max Watson has 10 newcomers slated to join the squad this fall.

“We are extremely excited about this incoming 2020 recruiting class – it features a balanced group that will add depth and quality to many areas of our program,” said Watson. “Furthermore, and most importantly, they are all quality fits for VMI, our team, and represent the continued progression of the program. I’m excited to see their contribution, as a class, on the future of our program while I personally am looking forward to working with each of them.”

Walker Buck
Hometown: Long Beach, CA
High School: Millikan High School (CA)
Club: Slammers FC
Accolades: Memorial Players Challenge Champions 2x … Las Vegas Cup Champions … Trinity League Champions … 2^nd in Moore League.
Why VMI: ”I chose to attend VMI and play for the men’s soccer team, because I wanted to challenge myself at the next level as well as become a contributing member to a great team.”

Robert Castro
Hometown: Canyon County, CA
High School: Golden Valley High School (CA)
Club: LA Breakers
Accolades: Three Seasons of Varsity Soccer … Served as captain for three consecutive seasons … 2x All Foothill League first team … All Foothill League Second Team … 4x Scholar-Athlete Award … 3.5 (GPA or higher). Played Club Soccer for LA Breakers ECNL and LA Premiere ECNL … 2018 Man City Cup Champion … 3x Surf Showcase Champion … 2019 Potomac Memorial Champion … 2019 Surf Cup Champion … LA Breakers FC ECNL ranked number 1 in the nation by Got Soccer
Why VMI: ”I chose VMI because it’s an opportunity to be pushed and become a better version of myself.”

Warner Collier
Hometown: Richmond, VA
High School: St. Christopher’s High School (VA)
Club: Richmond Kickers
Accolades: St. Christopher’s (High School): Only 4 year player on the team. Accumulated 37 goals and 25 assists over four years … three-year starter and captain for one season. 2019 VISAA DI First Team All-State, 2019 Virginia Premier League All-Prep Team. VISAA DI State Champion 2016, State Runner Up 2017 and 2019, State Semifinalist 2018 … State Cup Champions 2020
Why VMI: ”I chose VMI because of the opportunity to play at a high level while attending an institution that develops me intellectually, physically, and mentally.”

Jack Kainer
Hometown: Virginia Beach, VA
High School: Cape Henry Collegiate (VA)
Club: Virginia Rush
Accolades: First Team All-Conference … First Team All-State … Conference Player of the Year – TCIS (2019) … VISAA D1 State Player of the Year (2019) … United Soccer Coaches All Region (2019) … United Soccer Coaches All-American (2019) … Conference Champions x3 – TCIS (2017, 2018, 2019) … VISAA D1 State Champions x3 (2017, 2018, 2019).
Why VMI: ” From the first time I stepped foot onto VMI, I knew it was where I wanted to spend the next four years of my life.”

Steven Lourenco
Hometown: McLean, VA
High School: McLean High School (VA)
Club: Arlington Soccer
Accolades: Three years on varsity team … 2019 president cup state champions … 2019 presidents’ cup regional finalist
Why VMI: ”I chose to play soccer at VMI because I want to challenge myself and become the best player and student that I can be.”

Brent Machonis
Hometown: Vienna, VA
High School: James Madison High School (VA)
Club: Braddock Road Youth Club
Accolades: Team captain in 2020 … Helped James Madison to their first 6A Virginia State Finals with 16-3-2 record in 2019. Awarded 2nd team all-conference in 2019 … 3 year Varsity Soccer.
Why VMI: ”I chose VMI due to its strong Academic program and its reputation for producing national leaders.”

Malcolm McIntosh
Hometown: Cary, NC
High School: William G. Enloe High School (NC)
Club: NC Fusion/ Raleigh International Football Club
Accolades: 2x State Cup Champion … played on NCFC Academy at U14 and U17 … Fusion Academy at U19 … played every minute of every game in sophomore year, earning all-conference honors, and helped take the team to the 2nd round of the playoffs … In HS went to the second round of the playoffs, won two state championships with CASL, Quarterfinalists of the southeastern Regional Tournament in Arkansas and in North Carolina (also club soccer) and competed in the academy winter showcase two years in a row.
Why VMI: ”I chose to come to VMI because I wanted to have a military experience that would prepare me for a life of service.”

Jakub Mihulka
Hometown: Westminster, MD
High School: Francis School Key High School (MD)
Club: Baltimore Celtic
Accolades: Four Year varsity starter … Captain sophomore, junior, and senior year … All county honorable mention, all county second team 2x, all county first team, all state honorable mention… 1A State finalist senior year … National Honors Society … Rho Kappa English Honors Society … Student Government … 2017 and 2019 Maryland Futsal State cup champion
Why VMI: ”I chose VMI because I want to be in a military environment while playing the sport I love.”

Tate Pospichal
Hometown: Blacksburg, VA
High School: Blacksburg High School (VA)
Club: VBR Star
Accolades: 2018 4A VHSL State Champions … 2018 4A Region 4D Champions … 2018 and 2019 All District Honorable Mention Selection … 2018 and 2019 District Tournament Champions … 2018 Maxpreps #1 Boys High School Soccer Virginia Ranking … 2018 Maxpreps #4 Boys High School Soccer National Ranking … 2018 undefeated high school season
Why VMI: ”I chose VMI because of the opportunity to join a renowned brotherhood while receiving a quality education and playing soccer at a high level.”

Julius Williams
Hometown: Fredericksburg, VA
High School: Massaponax High School (VA)
Club: Fredericksburg FC
Accolades: A four-year varsity member in high school … national finalist for his club team … has been a part of many different international tours with CCL United, playing in Sweden, Denmark, and Italy … In 2019, his high school team qualified for states for the first time in almost 20 years … his club team, traveled around the county many times attend different tournaments and cup games, as well as going to Colorado to compete in nationals and placed second in the county in 2015
Why VMI: ”I choose VMI because I knew it with give me the best challenge as an individual and as a soccer player.”