GRANTHAM, Pa. – Messiah men's soccer is already looking ahead to the 2018 season, and today they released both the schedule and roster for their upcoming campaign. The incoming first-year class includes seven field players. The Falcons had a tremendous 2017 campaign finishing 24-2 and won their 11th NCAA Division III National Championship.
"We are looking forward to the 2018 season," head coach
Brad McCarty said. "We are very excited about our incoming class, they are a great group of guys who have already spent a lot of time on campus. Some of them have been coming to camp for years, have older brothers on the team, or have attended a number of our contests this past fall. They collectively care about their faith, academics, and pursuing excellence on the soccer field. We are really looking forward to having them be a part of our program."
In addition to seven newcomers, the Messiah roster includes 26 total players, with seven seniors, seven juniors, and five sophomores.
The Falcons are set to start the 2018 season against SUNY Cortland University on Aug. 31. The game will be played at home on Shoemaker Field, and the Falcons will also host the Whitworth Pirates on the next day at 5:00 p.m. Messiah's first conference game comes on Saturday, Sept. 29 when Hood travels to Shoemaker. After the final non-conference game against Johns Hopkins on Thursday, Oct. 1, the Falcons will play seven-straight conference games to end the regular-season.
The entire schedule for Messiah can be found by clicking the schedule link in the top navigation, and a profile for each of the Falcons' incoming players is below.
|
Luke Brautigam – Midfielder – Doylestown, Pa.
High School: Plumstead Christian School
College Major: Accounting
Playing Experience:
- Plumstead Christian School
-Conference MVP—2017
-3 Time All-Conference—2017, 2016, 2015
-3 Time Academic All-Conference—2017, 2016, 2015
-Team MVP—2017, 2015
-3 Year Captain—2017, 2016, 2015
-4 Year Varsity Starter—2017, 2016, 2015, 2014
-District Champions—2014
-State Finalists--2014
Lehigh Valley United—2016-2018
-Regional League Champions—2017
-National League—2017, 2016
-Ranked #1 in Pennsylvania East—2018, 2017
Olympic Development Program
-Pennsylvania East ODP—2015, 2014, 2013, 2012
Snapshot: Luke is a highly technical and fundamentally clean player who has all the tools required to play at Messiah—first touch, turning, cutting, and ball striking. He has the vision and IQ to play in the midfield, but also has a nose for the goal as well. As the younger brother of rising senior Justin Brautigam, he will look to play in the midfield or at target.
|
|
|
Darryl Daniels – Wing – Pittsburgh, Pa.
High School: Seton LaSalle High School
College Major: Undecided
Playing Experience:
- Seton LaSalle High School
-All-Region: United Soccer Coaches—2017
-2 Time All-State PA—2017, 2016
-WPIAL Player of the Year—2016
-All Conference—2017, 2016
-3 Year Captain—2017, 2016, 2015
-4 Year Varsity Starter—2017, 2016, 2015, 2014
-State Semi-Finalists—2016
-State Quarter-Finalists—2017
-Career Goals: 80
Arsenal FC
-ERL Champions—2016
-CASL Showcase Champions
-State Cup Finalists
-2 Time State Cup Semi-Finalists
-PA Classics Winter Showcase Champions
Snapshot: Darryl is a dynamic player who is very smooth on the ball and willing to run at defenders 1 v 1. He has the ability to score goals himself as well as create scoring opportunities for his teammates. His pace and technical ability will serve him well as he looks to play wing in the fall.
|
|
|
Luke Groothoff – CB/Midfield/Target – Chebeague Island, ME
High School: Yarmouth High School
College Major: Pre-Medical Illustration
Playing Experience:
- Yarmouth High School (2015-2017)
-All-American: United Soccer Coaches—2017
-Player of the Year: Maine Sunday Telegram—2017
-Fall Athlete of the Year: The Forecaster—2017
-2 Time All-Region: United Soccer Coaches —2017, 2016
-2 Time State Player of the Year: Maine Class B—2017, 2016
-2 Time All-State—2017, 2016
-3 Time All Conference—2017, 2016, 2015
-2 Year Captain—2017, 2016
-3 Year Varsity Starter—2017, 2016, 2015
-2 Time Hastrom Leadership Award—2017, 2016
-3 Time Maine All-Academic Team—2017, 2016, 2015
-3 Time Maine Class B State Champions—2017, 2016, 2015
-Overall HS Record: 49-2-1 (2015-2017)
GPS Portland Phoenix—2017
Seacoast United (USSDA): Developmental Player—2016, 2015
Seacoast United Maine
-Maine State Champions—2017, 2016
-Jefferson Cup Champions--2017
Snapshot: Luke is a high level player that grew up playing in California and moved to Maine prior to his sophomore year in high school. He is athletic, skillful, and smart and will be a great addition to the Falcons. Luke is the younger brother of rising junior Jonathan Groothoff, and has the ability to contribute up the spine from CB to Midfield to Target.
|
|
|
Luke Kokolios – Midfielder – California, MD
High School: Lenoardtown High School
College Major: Applied Health Science: Pre-PT
Playing Experience:
- Leonardtown High School
-All-State—2017
-Conference Most Outstanding Player—2017
-All-Conference—2017
-All-Met: Washington Post—2017
-Team Top Scorer (19 Goals/7 Assists)—2017
-Varsity Captain—2017
-3 Time Varsity—2017, 2016, 2015
-2 Time Conference Champions—2017, 2016
-2 Time Maryland Regional Finalists—2017, 2016
Olympic Development Program (ODP)
-Maryland ODP—2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010
-Region 1 ODP—2016, 2015
-Region 1 International Tournament Champions—2017
Maryland United FC: 2017-2018
St. Mary's United Rangers: 2008-2016
Snapshot: Luke is a dynamic player based on his technical ability, vision, and creativity. He has the ability to dribble penetrate, slip in teammates, and can finish from range. Luke will look to contribute in the midfield for Messiah in the fall.
|
|
|
Jared Pavlovich – Goalkeeper – Carlisle, Pa.
High School: Carlisle High School
College Major: Mechanical Engineering
Playing Experience:
- Carlisle High School
-2 Time All-Conference—2017, 2016
-All-Sentinel—2017
-3 Year Varsity Starter—2017, 2016, 2015
-4 Year Varsity Player—2017, 2016, 2015, 2014
-2 Time Student-Athlete Honors—2017, 2016
-Captain—2017
Central Penn United
-EDP Summer Showcase Champions—2017
-Bethesda Premier Cup Champions—2017
-Captain
Snapshot: Jared is a strong goalkeeper who is fundamentally sound in regard to his technique, foot work, and hands. In addition, his athleticism combined with his 6'1" frame provides him with a large save zone and the ability to handle balls in the air. Jared graduated high school early and has enrolled in classes this spring in preparation for next fall.
|
|
|
|
Reid Ruark – Midfielder/Defender – Belews Cree, NC.
High School: Wesleyan Christian Academy
College Major: Undecided
Playing Experience:
- Wesleyan Christian Academy
-2 Time All Region—2017, 2016
-2 Time All State—2027, 2016
-Conference Player of the Year—2016
-2 Time All Conference—2017, 2016
-Defensive Player of the Year—2017
-2 Year Captain—2017, 2016
-3 Year Varsity Player—2017, 2016, 2015
-2 Time State Champions—2017, 2015
-State Finalist—2016
Piedmont Triad Futbol Club (2013-2018)
-State Cup Champions—2017
-State Cup Finalists—2016, 2014
-Disney Showcase 3rd Place—2016
Snapshot: Reid is a very technical player with an excellent first touch and is very smooth on the ball. He plays with a lot of composure and steadiness and raises the level of play of those around him. Reid will look to contribute in the midfield or along the back line this fall for the Falcons.
|
|
|
|
Trevor Swartz – Midfielder/Defender – Peoria, AZ.
High School: Greenway High School
College Major: Undecided
Playing Experience:
- Greenway High School
-2 Time All-State—2018, 2017
-3 Time All-Region—2018, 2017, 2016
-3 Time All-Section—2018, 2017, 2016
-2 Year Captain—2018, 2017
-4 Year Varsity Player—2018, 2017, 2016, 2015
-Team Leading Scorer—2017
-Regional Champions—2018
CCV Stars
-Far-West Regional League Champions—2018
-Desert Premier Cup Champions—2018
-Far-West Regional Tournament—2018, 2017, 2016
Snapshot: Trevor is a strong player who is technically sharp and extremely intelligent. He has a high soccer IQ, thinks ahead, makes good decisions, communicates well, and has great speed of play. Trevor's offensive characteristics combined with his defensive skill set will allow him to contribute either in midfield or along the back line. |
|
