GRANTHAM, Pa. - Messiah men's soccer is just a few short months away from the 2019 season, and today they released both the schedule and roster for the upcoming campaign. The incoming first-year class is comprised of nine players with eight field players and a goalkeeper. The Falcons are coming off a 2018 season that saw them advance to the Elite Eight and end the season with a 19-1-3 overall record.
Messiah's 2019 slate will begin on the road when the Falcons travel to Geneva, N.Y. for a game against Hobart College on Aug. 30 at 3:30 p.m. Messiah's opening weekend will also feature a non-conference game against Ithaca on Aug. 31. The first home game of the 2019 season will come on Sept. 7 when Muhlenberg comes to town for a 7:00 p.m. Other non-conference home games include matches against Dickinson (Sept. 11), Salisbury (Sept. 21), and John Carroll (Sept. 28). September road games of note, include back-to-back Wednesday's against York College (PA) on Sept. 18 and Elizabethtown College on Sept. 25.
After starting the MAC Commonwealth scheduled with consecutive home games against Alvernia (Oct. 5) and Arcadia (Oct. 8), the Falcons will play four of their next five games on the road before returning home for the regular season finale against Stevenson (Oct. 30). The only conference home game in the middle of October will be the Falcons' homecoming game against Lebanon Valley on Oct. 19 at 6:00 p.m.
The entire 2019 schedule can be found here, and a profile for each member of the incoming class can be found below.
Name: Cole Cristian
Hometown: Midlothian, VA
High School: James River High School
College Major: Applied Health Sciences
Position: Midfielder/Forward
Playing Experience:
James River HS
- All Region--2018
- 4 Year Varsity Member—2018, 2017, 2016, 2015
- Captain--2018
- 2 Time State Semi-Finalists
- Regional Champions
FC Richmond (2015-2019)
- CASL Champions—2016
- Capital Fall Classic Champions--2016
- Jefferson Cup Champions—2017
- State Cup Semifinalists--2017
- Virginia Cup Champions—2017
- CCL League Champions—2017
- Baltimore Showcase Champions—2018
- VA Beach Columbus Day Champions—2018
Olympic Development Program (ODP)
- 2000 Virginia State Pool
Bio: Cole plays with a high level of energy, covers a lot of ground, and is a catalyst for his team's attack. His technical ability and understanding of the game gives him the ability to create scoring opportunities for himself and others. His experience playing for both a strong club team and a strong high school program will serve him well as makes the transition to Messiah.
Name: Grant Johnson
Hometown: Midlothian, VA
High School: Trinity Episcopal School
College Major: Business and Finance
Position: Left Back
Playing Experience:
United States Soccer Development Academy (USSDA)
- Richmond United DA
- 6 years' experience in Development Academy (U13-U19)
- Academy Featured Game
Bio: Grant will be able to carpool with Cole Cristian as they are both from the same hometown of Midlothian, VA. He is a very technical and smart player who has a high level of understanding of how to play a dynamic left back. Grant has the pace to both attack and defend on the flank, but also the IQ to build out of the back and connect first and second targets. His six years' experience at the development academy level will transfer well to the college game.
Name: Ben Lefever
Hometown: Lancaster, PA
High School: Lancaster Mennonite School
College Major: Business
Position: Midfield
Playing Experience:
Lancaster Mennonite
- 2 Time All State—2018, 2017
- 2 Time League Section 3 Player of the Year—2018, 2017
- 3 Time All League—2018, 2017, 2016
- 3 Year Varsity Starter—2018, 2017, 2016
- State Finalists—2017
- 2 Time District Champions—2018, 2017
- 2 Time League Finalists—2018, 2017
- BrackBill Scholar-Athlete Nominee—2019
United States Soccer Development Academy (USSDA)
- PA Classics DA
- 2 years' experience in Development Academy (2013-2015)
PA Classics Elite (2015-2019)
- Premier Cup Champions--2018
Bio: Ben comes from a long line of Messiah athletes as his Mother (Lori "Hoober" Lefever '92) was a two-time All-American Field Hockey player, and his two uncles (Chuck Hoober '86 and Scott Hoober '89) were All-Region and All-American soccer players respectively at Messiah. Ben has a tremendous work ethic, is tough as nails, and has a motor that allows him to have a large area of influence. He is fundamentally sound technically and has a strong understanding of Messiah's system of play as he has played under former Messiah Assistant Coach Fred Winey who coached at Messiah from 1997-2007. Ben is very effective on both sides of the ball and has demonstrated the ability to attack and score at both the club and high school level.
Name: Jake "LC" Lent-Koop
Hometown: Rio Rancho, NM
High School: V Sue Cleveland High School
College Major: Biomedical Engineering
Position: Centerback
Playing Experience:
V Sue Cleveland HS
- 2 Time All State—2018, 2017
- 2 Time All Metro—2018, 2017
- 2 Time All District Player of the Year—2018, 2017
- 2 Time All District—2018, 2017
- 2 Year Captain—2018, 2017
- 4 Year Varsity Starter—2018, 2017, 2016, 2015
- 4 Time All Academic—2018, 2017, 2016, 2015
- State Champions—2018
- 2 Time District Champions—2018, 2017
Rio Rapids SC '00s
- 5 Time State Champions—2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014
- Surf Cup Champions--2016
- Surf Cup Finalists—2018
- President's Day Tournament Champions—2014
- President's Day Tournament Finalists—2018, 2017
Olympic Development Program (ODP)
- New Mexico ODP—2015, 2014, 2013
Bio: Jake picked up his nickname when his teammates heard his last name was Lent-Koop and mistakenly tagged him "LC". He is a very athletic left footed centerback who at 6'3" can run the 40 in 4.72 and is excellent in the air. LC is fundamentally sound technically and has good understanding of the game allowing him to play high percentage passes out of the back. His experience competing in championships at the club and high school level will serve him well as he looks to contribute at centerback for Messiah.
Name: Matt McDonald
Hometown: North Wales, PA
High School: Lansdale Catholic High School
College Major: Accounting
Position: Midfielder / Defender
Playing Experience:
Lansdale Catholic
- All League—2018, 2017
- Lansdale Catholic MVP—2018
- Lansdale Catholic Golden Boot—2018
- Lansdale Catholic Most Versatile Player—2017
- 3 Year Varsity Starter—2018, 2017, 2016
- Captain—2018
- State Semifinalists—2016
- 4 Time District Champions—2018, 2017, 2016, 2015
- Student Athlete Academic Honors—2017, 2016
- Marine Semper Fidelis All-American—2018
Montgomery United Soccer Club
Warrington Soccer Club
- Potomac Memorial Champions—2018
- Indoor State Champions--2019
Bio: Matt is a very athletic player whose toughness and instincts make him very effective on both sides of the ball. His versatility is evident at both the club and high school level where he has played in the back, in the midfield, and up top in the attack. Defensively he steps hard, tackles well, and wins 50/50 balls. Offensively his pace and athleticism has created scoring opportunities for himself and his teammates (HS Career Stats: 25 goals and 20 assists).
Name: Chris Sepessy
Hometown: Greensboro, NC
High School: Wesleyan Christian Academy
College Major: Finance/Business
Position: Midfielder
Playing Experience:
Wesleyan Christian Academy
- All State—2018
- NCISSA All State—2018
- Greensboro News Player of the Year—2018
- Greensboro News All-Area—2018
- 2 Time All Conference—2017, 2016
- State Champions—2018, 2017, 2015
- State Finalists—2016
- 3 Year Starter for Varsity
- Career HS Record: 79-3-7
Piedmont Triad Futbol Club (2017-2018)
- State Cup Finalists—2018
United States Soccer Development Academy (USSDA)
- North Carolina Fusion (2014-2016)
Bio: Chris is a highly technical player who has a large area of influence and finds ways to have a positive impact on the game. He has a high soccer IQ and makes good decisions regarding when to possess and when to attack. His ability to score goals and set up his teammates at both the club and high school level will serve him well in Messiah's attack oriented offense.
Name: Drew Stief
Hometown: Lititz, PA
High School: Warwick High School
College Major: Broadcasting and Media Production
Position: Goalkeeper
Playing Experience:
Warwick High School (2018)
- 1 Year Varsity Member—2018
- Captain—2018
- Section Champions—2018
- League Semifinalists—2018
- District Quarterfinalists—2018
United States Soccer Development Academy (USSDA)
- 4 Years Experience in Development Academy (2013-2018)
- PA Classics Academy '01
PA Classics Elite (2018-2019)
Bio: Drew played four years with the PA Classics Development Academy program, and then his senior year made the transition to play for his local high school team (Warwick HS) helping them to a section championship and a run into districts. Stief is a very fundamentally sound technical goalkeeper with good hands, good footwork, good extension dive, a good low hand, and good front smother. What he brings to the table is a consistency, confidence, and calm to be able to play at a high level when the lights are the brightest—during big games.
Name: Zack Venus
Hometown: Medina, OH
High School: Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy
College Major: Business
Position: Target / Winger / Midfielder
Playing Experience:
Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy (CVCA)
- All-Region (United Soccer Coaches)—2018
- All-State—2018
- 2 Time All District—2018, 2017
- 2 Time Akron, OH All-Star—2018, 2017
- Best of Akron, OH All Star-Preps—2018
- 4 Year Varsity Starter—2018, 2017, 2016, 2015
- CVCA Top Goalscorer—2018, 2017
- Career Goals: 35
- District Champions--2015
- National Honor Society—2018, 2017
Team Challenger FC
- Ohio North State Champions—2018
- Midwest Regional Tournament—2018
- State Semifinalists—2016
Bio: Zack is a dynamic player with ideas and creativity on the ball that are special. When combined with his high level technical ability and his pace/athleticism he has the potential to have an impact on the college game. His composure on the ball provides him opportunities to create scoring chances for his teammates as well as find the back of the net himself. His combination of technical ability, soccer IQ, and pace will serve him well as he looks to contribute in Messiah's attack.
Name: Chad Vrolijk
Hometown: Hinton, VA
High School: Eastern Mennonite High School
College Major: Education
Position: Winger / Wingback
Playing Experience:
Eastern Mennonite HS
- 2 Time All State—2018, 2017
- 2 Time All Conference—2018, 2017
- Menno Classic All-Tournament Team—2017, 2016
- 4 Year Varsity Starter—2018, 2017, 2016, 2015
- Captain—2018
- Career Stats: 49 Goals and 31 Assists
- State Finalists—2015
- State Quarterfinalists—2018, 2017, 2016
- Futsal Regional Champions—2018
Shenandoah Valley United
- Colonial Cup Champions
- Adidas Labor Day Shootout Champions
- Ralph Downey Memorial Classic Champions
Bio: Chad is an athletically dynamic player who has the strength, athleticism, and pace to have an impact at the college level. Chad is strong in the air and has demonstrated the ability to score both with his head and with his feet. His willingness to get forward and attack combined with his desire to run at players 1v1 on the dribble will transfer well to Messiah's system of play that requires dynamic wing play.
