Grantham, PA - With a litte less than five months remaining to the start of preseason training, Messiah College men's soccer generated some excitement today by releasing their both 2015 roster and incoming class.

The Falcons have 18 returners on the roster, with seven newcomers looking to bolster what should be another talented group.

"We are very excited about the contribution this class will make to Messiah both on and off the field," head coach Brad McCarty said about the incoming group. "This is certainly a talented class with three of the players receiving NSCAA All-Region honors and six of them being recognized as All-State.

"But most importantly, we also believe each one of them is an excellent fit who will buy into the program and find ways to make our culture and environment better."

Messiah lost nine players from last season, among them two-time All-American Carter Robbins and thee-time All-American Jeremy Payne. Graduates Jack Thompson (10g, 13a) and Mike Kovach (10g, 8a) will also be missed after slotting behind Payne (21g, 10a) as the team's leading scorers. Two-time All-Region and one-time All-American honoree Brian Ramirez is also gone after patroling the midfield for the past four years.

The departing players leave holes that McCarty and company will now fill, and Falcons' fans are sure to eagerly await the competitive season which starts on Sept. 4.

 See below for a profile of each of the Falcons' incoming players for 2015:
 

David Acosta Alejos  -   Winger / Midfielder  -  Colima, Mexico High School: Lancaster Mennonite High School College Major: Marketing Playing Experience: Lancaster Mennonite High School (Grades 11 and 12) NSCAA All-Region (2014) Two-time Pennsylvania All-State (2014, 2013) Two-time LL-League Player of the Year (2014, 2013) Two-time All LL-League (2014, 2013) Two-year Varsity Starter (2014, 2013) Two-time Pennlive's All-Star Selection (2014, 2013) Pa. State Finalists (2014) 41 Goals and 21 Assists in 48 Games (2014, 2013) Universidad de Celaya (Grades 9 and 10) Celaya FC (Mexico) Regional League Finalists Metropolitan League Champions Snapshot: David is a dynamic player who has the pace, athleticism, and technical ability to create scoring opportunities for himself and others. He has the ability to play wide or in the middle of the field and will look to have an immediate impact for the Falcons.
Connor Bell   -  Goalkeeper  -  High Point, N.C.   High School: Wesleyan Christian Academy College Major: Psychology / Pre-Law Playing Experience: Wesleyan Christian Academy North Carolina All-State (2014) Two-time North Carolina State Champions (2014, 2012) North Carolina State Semifinalists (2013) 3 Time Varsity Member (2014, 2013, 2012) HS Captain and Scholar-Athlete (2014) Varsity record of 66-2-4 Piedmont Triad Football Club 96 Black State Finalists (2013) N.C. ODP Two-time member Regional 3 ODP Trip to Mexico   Snapshot: Connor is a strong goalkeeper who brings to the net excellent shot blocking skills combined with great control of his box. He is a leader on the field and brings to the program a wealth of experience in the postseason. Bell will be one of two goalkeepers on the roster looking to fill the shoes of departing senior Brandon West.
Justin Brautigam  -  Central Defender  -  Doylestown, Pa.   High School: Plumstead Christian School College Major: Pre-Physical Therapy Playing Experience: Plumstead Christian School Pennsylvania All State (2014) Pennsylvania All Southeast (2014) Bicentennial League MVP (2014) Two-time All Intelligencer Team (2014, 2013) Two-time All-League (2014, 2013) Pennsylvania State Semifinalists (2014) District Champions (2014) League Champions (2014, 2011) High School Team MVP (2014) Four-year varsity starter, captain in senior season 25 goals and 18 assists in senior season Montgomery United Celtic Region 1 League (2014) Atlantic Soccer League Regional Tournament, All-Tournament (2013) Atlantic Soccer League Regional Champions (2013) Ranked #1 in Pennsylvania East (2015)   Snapshot: Justin is a force on the field that combines strength and speed with an ability to distribute out of the back. Although he has demonstrated the ability to score goals in high school, he will be looked upon to help prevent goals for the Falcons as a central defender.
Daniel Cole  -  Holding Central Midfielder  -  Lewisburg, Pa.   High School: Lewisburg High School College Major: Undecided Playing Experience: Lewisburg High School Pennsylvania All-State (2014) Standard Journal Player of the Year (2014) All-Conference (2014) Three-year varsity starter (2014, 2013, 2012) Pennsylvania State Quarterfinalists (2014, 2012) District Champions (2014, 2012, 2011) Conference Champions (2014) Captain (2014)            North Union United Santos (2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014)   Snapshot: Daniel is an excellent central midfielder who has a great motor and large area of influence on both sides of the ball. His ability to handle the ball under pressure combined with his ball winning skills allows him to help his team maintain possession. Cole will look to play one of the two holding central midfielder positions for the Falcons.	Photo by the Standard Journal (Milton, Pa.)
Ben Haines  -  Target  -  Hershey, Pa.   High School: Hershey High School College Major: Politics Playing Experience: Hershey High School All-Conference (2013) Central Pa. Scholastic All-Star (2013) Harrisburg Patriot News Player of the Week (2013) Rookie of the Year and Offensive Player of the Year (2010) Four-year varsity starter (2013, 2012, 2011, 2010) Leader in goals and points for Keystone Division (2013) Second in total points for Mid-Penn Conference (2013) PIAA District Playoffs (2013, 2012) Hershey Soccer Tournament, All-Tournament Team (2011, 2010) Varsity Football Kicker (2012, 2011) PA Classics U17 North Eastern Pre-Academy League (2013, 2012) Second leading scorer (2013, 2012) Leading Scorer (2012, 2011) Baltimore Mania Champions (2013) Annandale Premier Cup Champions (2013)   Snapshot: Ben is a strong target who can post up and interplay, but also has a goal scorer's touch. He graduated high school in 2014 and took the fall to rehab an injury, and has since joined the Falcons for the spring semester. He will look to help fill the shoes of recent grads at the target spot.
Samuel Ruiz Plaza  -  Central Midfielder  -  Woodbury, Minn.   High School: East Ridge High School College Major: Undecided Playing Experience: East Ridge High School NSCAA All-Region (2014) All-Midwest (2014) Two-time Minnesota All-State (2014, 2013) All-State Tournament Team (2014) All-Metro (2014) Two-time All-East Metro (2014, 2013) Three-time All-Conference (2014, 2013, 2012) State Tournament Third Place (2014) Section Champions and Conference Champions (2014) Section Finalists (2013, 2012) Ancora Aranjez "A", Spain (2011, 2010) Liga Preferente ODP Minnesota 96 ODP Boys Team Region 11 96 ODP Boys Team St. Croix Academy (2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011) Minnesota State Champions (2013) US Club Nationals Supergroup Third Place (2012) US Club Regionals Supergroup Champions (2012) Midwest Regional League Champions (2012)   Snapshot: Samuel is a high-level player who has a deft first touch combined with an excellent soccer IQ. He has both the ability to interplay with his teammates as well as create his own goal-scoring chances. Samuel will look to contribute in the midfield for Messiah in the fall.
Nick West  -  Winger / Midfielder  -  East Hampton, N.Y.   High School: East Hampton High School College Major: Business Playing Experience: East Hampton High School NSCAA All-Region (2014) Two-time New York All-State (2014, 2013) Two-time League MVP (2014, 2013) MSG Varsity All Metro Tri-State Team (2014) Newsday First Team All-Long Island (2014) Two-time All-County (2014, 2013) Three-time All-Conference (2014, 2013, 2012) Four year varsity starter (2014, 2013, 2012, 2011) Two-time captain (2014, 2013) 20 goals in senior season (2014) New York State Finalists (2014) Regional State Champions (2014) Long Island Champions (2014) Three-time County Champions (2014, 2012, 2011) Four-time League Champions (2014, 2013, 2012, 2011) Dix Hills East Massapequa Tournament Champions Currently Ranked No. 4 in NYE and No. 15 in the Region Albertson Academy NYS Cup Semifinalists Eastern New York Premier League First Place   Snapshot: Nick is the younger brother of graduating goalkeeper Brandon West, but whereas Brandon tried to stop goals, Nick will look to score them. Nick is a fast, dynamic attacking player who is willing to run at his opponents with the ball at his feet. His work rate and desire to attack will provide him opportunities to have an impact on Shoemaker Field this coming fall.

 

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