Grantham, PA - With Messiah College's 2016 Commencement just days away, the Falcons' men's soccer program made a look to the future by releasing the 2016 incoming class. The newcomer group includes seven field players and a goalkeeper.
"We are looking forward to the contribution of this class to our program," head coach
Brad McCarty said about the 2016 class. "We don't typically have a class made up of players from seven different states, but we believe these guys are excellent fits-- both on and off the field."
To McCarty's point, this year's group includes players from Pennsylvania, Maine, New Jersey, Massachusettes, Virginia, California, and North Carolina. Of the 28 players slated for the 2016 roster, including 20 newcomers, less than half will be from the home state of Pennsylvania.
"This group is a good mix of attacking players, midfielders, defenders, and a goalkeepers to help fill spots left behind by our graduating seniors," McCarty went on to say. "We're excited to get everyone together after the summer months."
The Falcons are scheduled to return to training in mid-August, and the new season will
starts on Sept. 2 in Southern Virginia.
See below for a profile of each of the Falcons' incoming players for 2016:
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High School: Union Catholic Regional High School
College Major: Undecided
Playing Experience:
- Union Catholic Regional High School
- Four-time varsity member (2015, 2014, 2013, 2012)
- 2015 captain
- Two-time Conference Champions (2015, 2014)
- FC Copa Academy (2016, 2015, 2014, 2013)
- Two-time Outstanding Player Achievement Award (2016, 2013)
- State Cup Finalists (2015)
- Potomac Memorial Tournament Semifinalists (2015)
- EDP Cup Semifinalists (2015)
- USCS Mid-Atlantic Regionals Semifinalists (2015)
- New Jersey Soccer Academy (2013, 2012, 2011)
- Saint John Vianney (2010)
Snapshot: Joey is a strong central defender and at 6'3" can win balls both on the ground and in the air. He also has the technical ability and tactical knowledge to possess out of the back. Joey will look to contribute to the back line as a central defender this fall.
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High School: Homeschool
College Major: Undecided
Playing Experience:
- Fredericksburg FC of NPS, National Premier Soccer League (2016, 2015)
- Qualified for Lamar Hunt US Soccer Open Cup (2015)
- Mid-Atlantic Region Champions (2015)
- Northern Virginia Soccer Club (2015)
- DC United—US Soccer Development Academy (USSDA) (2014-2015)
- Virginia Olympic Developmental Program (ODP) (2013, 2012)
- Prince William Soccer, Inc.
- State Cup Semifinalists (2012)
- Two-time Jefferson Cup Champions (2012, 2011)
- Atlantic Soccer League Champions (2012)
- Virginia Soccer Association (2010)
- Region 1 Champions (2010)
- VA State Cup Champions (2010)
Snapshot: At 6'0" Micah is a tall and technical player who has the ability to break pressure through interplay or on his own. His experience at the club level, in the USSD Academy, and with the NPSL will serve him well as he transitions to the college game. He will look to contribute in the midfield for the Falcons this fall.
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High School: Lancaster Mennonite High School
College Major: Occupational Therapy
Playing Experience:
- Lancaster Mennonite School (2015, 2014)
- Two-time varsity starter
- District Champions (2015)
- PA State Finalists (2014)
- Captain (2015)
- Four-year Honor Roll Student-Athlete
- Christian School of York (2013, 2012)
- Two-time All-Conference (2013, 2012)
- Two-time varsity starter
- Two-time captain (2013, 2012)
- PA Classics US Soccer Development Academy (USSDA) (2014, 2013)
- 1.5 years of Academy Experience
- PA Classics Elite (2015, 2016)
Snapshot: Nate is a strong, athletic, and dynamic goalkeeper who is willing to come off his line as well outside his box to defend his goal. His technical ability allows him to help distribute out of the back and help his team start the attack. Nate helped lead his high school team to the State Championship game his junior year and will compete for playing time in goal this fall.
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High School: Orange Lutheran High School
College Major: Accounting
Playing Experience:
- Orange Lutheran High School (2016, 2015, 2014)
- League Offensive MVP (2016)
- All-League (2016)
- Nominated for SoCal All-Star Team (2016)
- Orange Lutheran H.S. Offensive MVP (2016)
- Three-time varsity starter (2016, 2015, 2014)
- Two-time captain (2016, 2015)
- Senior year: 14 goals and five assists (2016)
- Warrant Township High School, Ill. (2013)
- West Coast Football Club (2016, 2015)
- Dallas Cup Quarter-Finalists (2016)
- No. 1 in California Regional League (2016)
- Manchester City Cup Champions (2015)
- Orange County Premier Soccer Club (2015, 2014)
- Chicago Magic PSG (2013, 2012)
Snapshot: Atu is a strong, athletic, and technical player who has the ability to play a variety of positions from up top to in the back. He brings a presence to the field as well as a variety of playing experiences from California to Chicago to Nigeria. Atu is the younger brother of current Messiah head men's lacrosse coach, Asten Bulus.
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Photo by the Standard Journal (Milton, Pa.)
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Jonathan Groothoff - Wing - Chebeague, Maine
High School: Yarmouth High School
College Major: Biopsychology / Pre-PA
Playing Experience:
- Yarmouth High School, Maine (2015)
- Maine All-State
- Maine Class B South All-Star
- Western Main All-Academic Team
- Maine State Champions
- Southern Maine Regional Champions
- Western Maine Conference Champions
- Brady Cup Champions
- Ranked No. 9 in New England (NSCAA)
- Ranked No. 25 in U.S. (MaxPreps)
- Rincon Valley Christian School, Calif. (2014, 2013, 2012)
- Three-time varsity starter (2014, 2013, 2012)
- Two-time All-Conference (2014, 2013)
- Tw-time All-Empire (2014, 2013)
- Conference leader in goals, assists, and points (2013)
- Conference leader in points (2014)
- Captain (2014)
- RVC Athletic Award (2013)
- Conference Champions (2013)
- Eight goals and 30 assists in 63 games (2014, 2013, 2012)
- GPS Portland Phoenix (2016)
- PDL—Premier Development League
- Santa Rosa United Chelsea
- Eurotour (2013)
- Davis Legacy College Showcase Semifinalists (2013)
- California Cup Semifinalists (2014)
- Cal North Olympic Development Program (ODP) (2014)
Snapshot: Jonathan is a dynamic attacking player that has the ability to create goals for himself and his teammates. His ability to run at defenders with the ball at his feet will serve him well as he looks to contribute at wing for the Falcons. Jonathan grew up in California but moved to Maine during his senior year in high school where his team won the State Championship.
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High School: The Christian Academy
College Major: Mechanical Engineering
Playing Experience:
- The Christian Academy
- Four-time varsity starter (2015, 2014, 2013, 2012)
- Two-time captain (2015, 2014)
- Player of the Year (2015, 2014)
- Runner-Up League MVP (2014)
- All-League (2014, 2013, 2012)
- All-County (2015, 2014)
- League Champions (2014, 2013)
- Second leading scorer and All-County (2015, 2014)
- Pennsylvania Hall of Fame Scholar Athlete Award (2015)
- Rose Tree Soccer Club
- Atlantic Champions (2015)
- Atlantic Premier League Runner-Up (2014)
- EDP Cup Champions— (2014)
Snapshot: Brit is an attacking player who brings to the table a high work ethic as well as the ability to combine with teammates to create scoring opportunities in the attacking third. He is great in the midfield in possession and has demonstrated the ability to finish opportunities in front of the goal (90 career goals). Brit has the ability to play target, attacking central midfield, or wing in a 4-3-3.
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High School: Milton Academy
College Major: Engineering
Playing Experience:
- Milton Academy
- Four-time varsity starter (2015, 2014, 2013, 2012)
- Captain (2015)
- Massachusetts All-State (2015)
- All-League (2015)
- New England Prep All Star (2014
- New England Prep School Class A Champions (2015)
- Undefeated season, 22-0-0 (2015)
- Independent School League Champions (2015)
- #2 Nationally Ranked Prep School Program (2015)
- New England Prep School Class A Semifinalists (2014)
- New England Prep School Class A Quarterfinalists (2013)
- Global Premier Soccer Massachusetts (2016, 2015, 2014, 2013)
- Region 1 Northeast League Finalists (2014)
- New England Premiership League Champions (2014)
- New England Football Club (2012, 2011, 2010, 2009)
- Region 1 Premier League Champions (2012)
Snapshot: Shay is a left-footed technical player with a high soccer IQ who helped his high school to an undefeated season and a New England championship during his senior season. His willingness to work hard, cover ground, and get stuck in will transfer well to the college game. Shay will look to play on the left side of the field as a left back, central midfielder, or wing.
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High School: Wesleyan Christian Academy
College Major: Undecided
Playing Experience:
- Wesleyan Christian Academy
- Two-time National Soccer Coaches Association of America All Region (2015, 2014)
- Two-time North Carolina All-State (2015, 2014)
- Two-time NCSCA All-Region (2015, 2014, 2013)
- Two-time Conference Player of the Year (2015, 2014)
- Triad Player of the Year (2015)
- 3A State Player of the Year (2014)
- Two-time All-Conference (2015, 2014, 2013)
- Wesleyan Academy Offensive MVP (2015)
- Three-time N.C. State Champions (2015, 2014, 2012)
- Four-year record at Wesleyan: 86-4-6
- Piedmont Triad Football Club 96 Black
- N.C. State Finalists (2013)
Snapshot: Cooper is a high level player who had a tremendous high school career helping Wesleyan Academy to three State Championships in his four seasons. He has the size, athleticism, technical ability, and tactical understanding to have a positive impact at the collegiate level. He has played center back, holding central midfield, and attacking central midfield in the past and will look to contribute in the midfield for the Falcons.
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