Grantham, PA - Less than four months removed from winning the program's
tenth NCAA Division III National Championship, Messiah College men's soccer is already preparing for their 2014 national title-defense. On Thursday, the Falcons did as much by announcing their incoming class for the upcoming season.
Messiah lost just six players to graduation this year, though it was a strong group that included National Player of the Year
Joshua Wood. Still, the Falcons will return high-level talent across all classes and field positions, including All-Region players
Jeremy Payne,
Jack Thompson, and
Carter Robbins. In total, six players will return after collecting All-Commonwealth honors last season.
See below for a profile of each incoming player for the Falcons' men's soccer team. Fans are also encouraged to follow
GoMessiah.com for upcoming news on the Falcons' 2014 schedule.
Name:
Josh Bender
High School: Calvert Hall High School
College Major: Engineering
Position - HT- WT: Defender - 6'2" - 175
Playing Experience:
Calvert Hall High School
- MD All-State (2013)
- All League (2013)
-Three-year varsity member (2013, 2012, 2011); Captain (2013)
- MIAA Semifinalists (2012)
Pipeline Black (2009-2012)
- Maryland State Cup Finalists
DC United USSD Academy (2012-2013)
- Finished 3rd in Division and qualified for USSD Academy Playoffs
-19 games played, 12 games started; three goals scored
Baltimore Bays USSD Academy (2013-2014)
- Six games played/started; One goal scored
Snapshot: Josh is a standout centerback with a tremendous amount of experience playing at a high level with both the DC United and Baltimore Bays USSD Academy programs. Josh is well equipped to excel within Messiah's system to press defensively as well as maintain ball possession out of the back.
Name:
Zeb Cross
Hometown: Hop Bottom, Pa.
High School: Mountain View High School
College Major: Biology/Pre-Med
Position - HT- WT: Midfielder, Winger - 6'1" - 170
Playing Experience:
Mountain View High School
- Pa. State Champions (2012)
- Pa. State Finalists (2013)
- District Champions (2013, 2012, 2011)
- Two-time HS Captain (2013, 2012)
- Three-time Varsity Starter (2013, 2012, 2011)
- Ranked #5 in Pa. for Career Assists (95 Assists)
- Ranked #6 in Pa. for Assists in a Season (42 Assists)
- Ranked #5 in Pa. for Consecutive Wins (35) (2012-2013)
- Stats: 88 goals and 95 assists (in three years)
Super Nova FC
- Indoor State Cup Champions (2014)
- Super Y National Semifinalists (2012)
Super Y League
- National ODP (2013, 2012)
Snapshot: Zeb is a left footed player who has the athleticism, size, and technical ability to have an impact at Messiah. He is comfortable in the midfield or attack and has demonstrated the ability to both score goals as well as create scoring opportunities for his teammates.
Name:
Caleb Griffith
High School: William Mason High School
College Major: Undecided
Position - HT - WT: Left Back - 5'10" - 155
Playing Experience:
William Mason High School
- Ohio State Champions (2013)
- Ohio State Semi-Finalists (2012)
- All-State Honorable Mention (2013)
- All-Southwest Ohio Coaches Selction (2013)
- GMC All-Conference (2013, 2012)
- Led GMC Conference in Assists (13) (2013)
Cincinnati United Premier (CUP Crew Jr's)
- USYSA National Championship Finalists (2013)
- USYSA Region II Midwest Champions (2013)
- Ohio State Cup Champions (2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008)
- USYSA National League (First Place) (2013, 2012)
- USYSA Midwest Regional League (First Place) (2013, 2012, 2011)
- Disney Showcase Champions (2013, 2012)
- Ohio Elite College Showcase Champions (2013, 2011)
- Adidas Blue Chip Showcase Champions (2012)
- Jefferson Cup Showcase Champions (2012)
Snapshot: Caleb is a fast, tough, athletic, and technical left footed defender who will look to contribute at left back for Messiah. He brings with him a tremendous amount of experience playing at a high level and winning championships both at the high school and club levels.
Name:
David Figueroa
Hometown: Piscataway, N.J.
High School: Timothy Christian School
College Major: Biology/Pre-Med
Position: Midfield/Defender - 6'1" - 185
Playing Experience:
Timothy Christian
- N.J. All-State (2013)
- All-Conference (2013)
- All-Division (2013, 2012, 2011)
- Three year HS captain (2013, 2012, 2011)
- Four year varsity starter (2013, 2012, 2011, 2010)
- First Team All-Area Home Tribune (2013)
- Sectional Semifinalists (2013)
- Stats: 26 Goals / 55 Assists
FC Premier Milan (2009-2014)
- Ranked #2 in N.J. (2013)
- Ranked #16 in the Nation (2013/2014)
- Potomac Tournament Champions (2013)
- Region 1 Colonial League Champions (2013)
- State Cup Semi-Finalists (2013)
Snapshot: David is an imposing presence on the field at 6'1"/185 and he is able to combine his strength and power with the technical ability necessary to contribute at this level. He has demonstrated the ability to play a variety of positions from target to centerback for both his high school and club teams.
Name:
Kirby Robbins
Hometown: Randleman, N.C.
High school: Wesleyan Christian Academy
College Major: Biology
Position - HT - WT: Midfielder, Forward - 6'1" - 170
Playing Experience:
Wesleyan Christian Academy
- N.C. State Champions (2012, 2011)
- N.C. All-State (2013)
- All Region (2013)
- All Area (2013)
- All Conference (2013)
- Ranked #3 in the Nation in 2012 (25-0-0)
- Three-year Varsity Member (2013, 2012, 2011)
- Two-year Varsity Starter (2013, 2012)
- HS Captain (2013)
N.C. Soccer Fusion 95 Elite
- Two-time State Cup Finalists
- Two-time State Cup Semifinalists
- Region III League
Snapshot: Kirby has the frame and technical ability to have an impact in the midfield and attack at Messiah. As the younger brother of rising senior defender
Carter Robbins, Kirby will look to carve out his own impact on the attacking end of the field.
Name:
Dakota Rosenberg
High School: South Williamsport High School
College Major: Pre-Physical Therapy
Position - HT - WT: Defender - 6'1" - 165
Playing Experience:
South Williamsport High School
- Pa. All-State (2013)
- First Team All-Conference (2013, 2012, 2011)
- Williamsport Sun Gazette All-Star (2012)
- Four-year varsity starter (2013, 2012, 2011, 2010)
- HS Captain (2013)
- State Qualifier (2011)
- State Semifinalists (2010)
- District Finalists (2011, 2010)
North Union United Santos (2012-2014)
STN North Penn (2007-2012)
Snapshot: Dakota is a fast and lively defender that likes to step hard, tackle hard, and start the attack out of the back. He will look to contribute on the field at both centerback and right back for Messiah.
Name:
Colby Thomas
High School: Mountain View High School
College Major: Sport Management
Position - HT - WT: Forward - 5'8" - 175
Playing Experience:
Mountain View High School
- Pa. State Champions (2012)
- Pa. State Finalists (2013)
- Times Tribune Player of the Year (2013, 2012)
- Times Tribune All-Region (2013, 2012, 2011)
- League All-Star (2013, 2012, 2011, 2010)
- District Champions (2013, 2012, 2011, 2010)
- Two-time HS Captain (2013, 2012)
- Four-time varsity starter (2013, 2012, 2011, 2010)
- Ranked #4 in Pa. for Career Goals (170) (2010-2013)
- Ranked #5 in Pa. for Consecutive Wins (35) (2012-2013)
- Ranked #10 in Pa. for Goals in a Season (58) (2013)
- Ranked #12 in Pa. for Goals in a Season (55) (2012)
Lehigh Valley United '95 (2009-2014)
- USYSA National Championship Appearances (2013, 2012, 2010)
- USYSA Nationals Best 11 (2013, 2012)
- USYSA Regional Champions
- USYSA National League (2013, 2012, 2011, 2010)
- Golden Boot Award at Regionals (2012)
- Region 1 Premier League Champions (2011)
- Pa. State Cup Champions (2012, 2011, 2010, 2009)
- Pa. State Cup Finalists (2013)
- Disney Showcase Champions (2010)
- Disney Showcase Finalists (2011)
- Alliance Cup Champions (2010)
Snapshot: Colby is a dynamic goal scorer whose strength, balance, and finishing touch has helped him lead both his high school and club teams to championships. His ability to maintain possession combined with his knack for finding the back of the net will serve him well as he looks to contribute at target for the Falcons.
