GRANTHAM, Pa. - On Wednesday afternoon, the Messiah men's soccer team announced their incoming class for the 2022 season. The Falcons will welcome six new members to the program ahead of the 2022 campaign. The Falcons finished the 2021 season with an overall record of 19-2-2, winning the MAC Commonwealth Championship, and advancing to the Elite Eight. Messiah is scheduled to open their season in Lexington, Va. against the Washington & Lee Generals on Sept. 1 in a re-match of their Elite Eight contest in November of last year.
See below for a quick profile on each of the incoming student-athletes.
Name: Samuel de la Riva
Hometown: Mechanicsburg, PA
High School: Cumberland Valley High School
College Major: Civil Engineering
Position: Midfielder
Height: 6' / 170
Playing Experience:
Club: PA Classics / Eagle FC
- MLS Next – 2020-2022
- United States Soccer Development Academy (USSDA) 2018-2020
- Top 25 National Ranked by TopDrawerSoccer
- MLS Next Fest Group Winners
Bio: Samuel is a talented and intelligent central midfielder that has been playing at a high level in both the MLS Next and USSDA. He has the pace and athleticism to have a positive impact on both sides of the ball. Samuel has the ability to play a variety of positions both in the middle and out wide.
Name: Jordan Gilman
Hometown: Elgin, Illinois
High School: Harvest Christian Academy
College Major: Political Science
Position: Midfielder/Defender
Height: 6'1" / 165
Playing Experience:
Club: Sockers FC Chicago
- MLS Next
- USS Development Academy
- 2x NPL League Champions
Bio: Jordan is a strong, athletic, and technical player who has the ability to play in the midfield or along the back line. He is skillful enough to play as a central midfielder, but is aggressive enough to play center back. Jordan will look to play somewhere along the spine in Messiah's 4-3-3.
Name: Ethan Gregory
Hometown: Belington, WV
High School: Philip Barbour High School
College Major: Sports Management
Position: Midfielder
Height: 5'10" / 160
Playing Experience:
HS: Philip Barbour High School
- West Virginia State Player of the Year – 2021
- 3x All State—2021, 2020, 2019
- 2x Regional Player of the Year—2021, 2020
- Conference Player of the Year (2021)
- 3x All Conference—2021, 2020, 2019
- 3 Year Captain
- 4 Year Varsity Starter
Club: Pittsburg Riverhounds / FC Alliance / FC33
- 3 Years ECNL – 2022, 2021, 2020
- OPD Region 1 – 2019, 2018, 2017
- Region 1 International Roster – 2019, 2018
- ECNL National Qualifier – 2021
Bio: Ethan is a technical, smart, hardworking midfielder who has a great motor and has a large area of influence. As a box to box midfielder he has the ability to defend, transition from defense to offense, and help create in the attacking third. Ethan will look to contribute in the midfield at Messiah.
Name: Patrick Lee
Hometown: Nashville, TN
High School: Christ Presbyterian Academy
College Major: Undecided
Position: Midfielder
Height: 5'10" / 160
Playing Experience:
HS: Christ Presbyterian Academy
- Gatorade Player of the Year Nominee—2022
- Middle Tennessee Player of the Year Finalist--2022
- 2x All State—2022, 2021
- 2x All Mid-State—2022, 2021
- Region MVP—2022
- THSSCA All Star--2022
- Tennessee Player of the Year Finalist--2021
- 4 Year Starter
- Career: 73 Goals / 42 Assists
- State Finalists—2019
- State Semi-Finalists—2021
- State Quarter-Finalists—2022
Club: Tennessee Soccer Club
- ECNL
- Leading Scorer (18 Goals / 5 Assists)
Club: Nashville United Soccer Academy Tennessee Soccer Club
- 3x State Finalist
Bio: Patrick is a talented attacking player who finds ways to create scoring opportunities for himself and his teammates. As an attacking central midfielder, he has the technical ability to play in tight spaces and the athleticism to be dynamic going forward. Patrick will look to contribute in the front 4 at Messiah.
Name: Davis Pagett
Hometown: State College, PA
High School: State College High School
College Major: Marketing
Position: Midfielder/Defender
Height: 5'9/155
Playing Experience:
HS: State College High School
- 2X All Conference—2022, 2021
- Captain—2022
- Senior Year: 25 Goals / 7 Assists
- 3 Year Varsity Starter—2022, 2021, 2020
- 3 Year District 6 Champions
Club: North Union United / Williamsport City Lions UPSL
Bio: Davis is an excellent soccer player who combines athleticism with a high soccer IQ. He is able to impact the game whether he is playing central midfield or outside back, and find ways to help his team create scoring opportunities. Davis will look to contribute in the midfield or out wide.
Name: Isaac Schmitke
Hometown: Belmont, NC
High School: Charlotte Christian School
College Major: Business Administration
Position: Midfielder
Height: 5'9/150
Playing Experience:
HS: Charlotte Christian School
- All Region – 2022
- 3x All Conference—2022, 2021, 2020
- Captain
- 4 Year Varsity
- State Finalists—2019
- State Quarterfinalists—2021, 2020
Club: Charlotte Independence
- United States Soccer Development Academy (USSDA)
- ECNL
- President's Cup Champions
- State Cup Semi-Finalists
Bio: Isaac is a technical player who has a good understanding of the game. He is dynamic moving forward and likes to put his opponents under pressure. Isaac will look to contribute as an attacking player in Messiah's system.
