DAYTON, Ohio - Atlantic 10 Coach of the Year Dennis Currier has announced the signing of 15 student-athletes to the University of Dayton men’s soccer 2010 recruiting class.
After capturing back-to-back Atlantic 10 titles, Currier and his staff have signed one of their best classes since he arrived at Dayton. The 15 recruits may seem like a large class, but the Flyers had 12 seniors on last year’s squad that posted a 14-5-1 record and won the A-10 regular season title.
“We suffered crucial losses from our 2009 graduating seniors. It was imperative that we added a very strong class for 2010. On paper, it is one of our best classes since 2006,” said Currier. “However, they will need to prove themselves over the next four years to earn that title.
“This particular class continues our tradition of balance across the field. Each of these young men has a very successful youth pedigree along with a winning mentality,” added Currier. “We look forward to working with them and watching them grow over the next few seasons.”
The 2010 class features players from 12 different states; Texas, Maryland, New Jersey, Georgia, Kentucky, New York, Illinois, North Carolina, Missouri, Ohio, Indiana, Florida, and one from Slovakia.
Marlon Duran
Defensive Mid • 5’4
Hometown: Duncanville, Texas
High School: Bradenton Prep
Club: U-17/U-20 United States National Youth Team / Latino Americana / FC Dallas U-18 Academy
CLUB ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
- 19 Caps with U-17 national youth team
- 3 Caps with U-20 national youth team
- Finalist for US Soccer Young Male Athlete of The Year
- Parade High School America
- NSCAA High School All-American
- Ranked 6th in TopDrawerSoccer top 100
ODP:
- 2005-2009 Regional Team
- 2007-Present National Team
COACH CURRIER’S COMMENT: Marlon is a midfielder who is exceptional at disrupting attacks and then linking play with precision passing. He is excellent at reading the game, controlling tempo, and has proven to be very effective on set pieces.
Andres Acevedo
Forward/Outside Mid • 5’7
Hometown: Bradenton, Fla.
High School: Bradenton Prep
Club: IMG Academies
CLUB ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
- U-18 Developmental Academy National Finals; 3rd Place with IMG Academies (2008)
- ENY State Cup Finalist with Albertson SC (2006)
- ENY State Cup Champions with BW Gottschee (2004)
- IMG Soccer Academy MVP (2008-09)
- Developmental Academy Starting XV in Southeast Division (2009)
- Developmental Academy Select Team (2009)
- Albertson Academy 91 Captain (2007-08)
ODP:
- 2004 State Team Eastern NY
- 2008 National Pool Camp
COACH CURRIER’S COMMENT: Andres is a soccer junkie with exceptional technical ability and a proven scoring history.
Brian Alvarez
Center Mid • 6’2
Hometown: Hyattsville, Md.
High School: Dematha Catholic High School
Club: Soccer Association of Columbia
HIGH SCHOOL ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
- All-WCAC (2008, ‘09)
- All-County First Team (2008, ’09)
- Dematha Jr. Player of the Year
- Dematha Sr. Player of the Year
- DeMatha Team Captain (2009)
- DeMatha ranked No. 1 by NSCAA (2007)
- In three seasons, led DeMatha to a 62-6-3 overall record
- Tallied 22 goals and 26 assists
- Named to Principal’s Honor Roll and carries a 3.9 GPA
CLUB ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
- Won Atlanta Cup and Florida President’s Cup with West Pines United (Fla.) where he played from 1998-2002
- Played for Schultz Academy in 2003
- Won the 2008 and 2009 Jefferson Cup, 2010 MSSL, 2008 Columbia Cup, and 2006 and 2009 Bethesda Cup with current club SAC United Premiere
COACH CURRIER’S COMMENT: Brian provides excellent presence in the midfield that links play up very well.
Viktor Balis
Outside Mid • 6’2
Hometown: Bratislava, Slovakia
High School: Sportove Gymnazium Ostredkova
Club: FK Inter Bratislava Youth
HIGH SCHOOL ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
- First place in National High School Championship (2006, ’07)
CLUB ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
- Played for FK Inter Bratislava from 1998-2009
- Led FK Inter Bratislava to 2nd place in U-15 National Championship; 6th place in U-17 nationals, and 7th place in U-19 nationals.
ODP:
- Led Bratislava to Regional Championship (2002-03, 2003-04 and 2004-05)
- Played for Slovak National Team (2005-06 and 2006-07)
COACH CURRIER’S COMMENT: Victor is an athletic flank player with an excellent service from wide areas of the field.
Jordan Beckett
Midfielder • 6’2
Hometown: Edison, N.J.
High School: The Wardlaw – Hartridge School
Club: PDA
HIGH SCHOOL ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
- Four-time NJISAA All-State selection
- Four-time Courier News-Home Tribune All-Area
- Scored 44 goals, including 21 his senior season, and also had 40 assists for career 128 points
CLUB ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
- 2006 New Jersey State Tournament runners-up with Jersey Crew
- 2007 New Jersey State Tournament and Regional Champions/National runners-up with PDA
- 2008 Led PDA to runner-up finish at the USSF Academy Finals Week
- 2009 Led PDA to 5th place finish at the USSF Academy Finals Week
ODP:
- New Jersey ODP State Team (2005)
COACH CURRIER’S COMMENT: Jordan provides excellent size and athleticism to our midfield and is exceptional in the air.
Jonathon Buschur
Central Back/Sweeper • 6’2
Hometown: Dayton, Ohio
High School: Carroll High School
Club: Metro FC Rapids
HIGH SCHOOL ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
- 2009 NSCAA/adidas High School All-American
- 2009 NSCAA/adidas All-Region IV
- 2009 First Team All-State
- 2009 Miami Valley D-II Player of the Year
- 2009 Greater Catholic League-North Player of the Year
- 2009 Academic All-Ohio
- Three-time GCL-North All-Conference (2007, ’08, ’09)
- Three-time Miami Valley-South All-District (2007, ’08, ’09)
- Had three goals and 10 assists from his defensive position as a senior
- Led Carroll to four consecutive district finals, three regionals and the 2008 State championship. Carroll posted a 56-9-7 record during his four seasons.
- Honor Roll, National Honors Society, Latin Honors Society, 3.8 GPA
CLUB ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
- Led Metro FC Rapids to two State runner-up finishes and two regional finals
COACH CURRIER’S COMMENT: Jon is the best local product coming out of Dayton this year. He will add depth to our defense.
Victor Duru
Midfielder • 5’10
Hometown: Powder Springs, Ga.
High School: Hillgrove High School
Club: Cobb Futbol Club
HIGH SCHOOL ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
- Three-year letter winner
- Led Hillgrove to three consecutive state tournaments
- 2009 Final Four
- Hillgrove was 43-19-1 during his three seasons
- Scored 21 goals and had 16 assists in two seasons at Hillgrove
- Named a Top Drawer Soccer Top 100 Prospect
CLUB ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
- 2002 State Champions with Cobb FC
- 2006 Won Dallas Cup with Cobb FC
- 2008 Regional quarterfinals with Cobb FC
ODP:
- Selected to the U-14 and U-15 US National Team Training Camp
- Member of Georgia ODP from 2004-2007
- Played in Mexico and Spain with Georgia ODP in 2004 and ‘05
COACH CURRIER’S COMMENT: Victor is an exciting, dynamic attacking player that can play several positions in the midfield.
John Howe
Center Back • 6’3
Hometown: Ballwin, Mo.
High School: St. John Vianney
Club: US Developmental Academy U18 Scott Gallagher
HIGH SCHOOL ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
- Three-time Metro Catholic All-Conference honors
- Led St. John Vianney to three consecutive quarterfinal appearances (2007, ’08, ’09) and 62-19-6 record in his three seasons
- Had 11 goals and six assists from his defensive position for 28 career points
- National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta Math Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, 4.25 GPA
COACH CURRIER’S COMMENT: John adds excellent size to our backline and continues our strong pipeline of St. Louis players.
Brandon Leonhard
Defender • 6’1
Hometown: Indianapolis, Ind.
High School: Lawrence Central High School
Club: FC Pride Storm ‘92
HIGH SCHOOL ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
- 2008-09 All-County and All-District selection
- Led Lawrence Central to 2006-07 Regional Finals, County Championship and 2009-10 Sectional Final
- Tallied 10 goals and 14 assists for 34 career points from his defender position
- Two-time captain (2008-09 and 2009-10)
- Named to 2008-09 Academic Super Bowl Team
CLUB ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
- Led Indy Burn to 2004-05 State semifinals
- Led FC Pride to back-to-back State championships in 2007 and 2008
- Led FC Pride to the 2009 Disney Showcase
ODP:
- Captain of Indiana ODP team that won the 2008 and 2009 regional and national championships
COACH CURRIER’S COMMENT: Brandon is a powerful defender that has excellent abilities to get forward in the attack.
Charles Leonhard
Outside Mid/Forward • 6’2
Hometown: Indianapolis, Ind.
High School: Lawrence Central High School
Club: FC Pride Storm ‘92
HIGH SCHOOL ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
- In 2008 earned first team all-district and all-state honorable mention
- Named Lawrence Central’s Top Player in 2008 and 2009
- In 2009 earned first team all-district and second team all-state honors
- Led Lawrence Central to 2006-07 Regional Finals, County Championship and 2009-10 Sectional Final
- Team Captain
- Scored 39 goals in his career, including 19 as a senior, and also had 21 assists for 99 career points
CLUB ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
- Led Indy Burn to 2004-05 State semifinals
- 2007 and 2008 Midwest Regional League Champions
- Led FC Pride to back-to-back State championships in 2007 and 2008
- Led FC Pride to the 2009 Disney Showcase
- Team Captain
ODP:
- Led Indiana ODP to the 2008 and 2009 regional and national championships
COACH CURRIER’S COMMENT: Charles is a pure athlete that can feature in the midfield or up top.
Jonathan Nelson
Central Defender • 6’1
Hometown: Suwanee, Ga.
High School: Collins Hill High School
Club: Cobb Futbol Club
HIGH SCHOOL ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
- Earned Varsity Letter in three seasons (2007, ’08, ’09)
- In three seasons, led Collins Hill to a 48-15-1 overall record
- Tallied 7 goals and 16 assists
- Advanced to 1st round of state (2007)
- Advanced to state finals (2008)
- Won State Championship (2009)
- Named to Honor Roll and carries a 4.0 GPA
- Named a Top Drawer Soccer Top 100 Prospect
CLUB ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
- Advanced to the Regional quarterfinals in 2008 with Cobb FC
- Won the Dallas Cup in 2006 with Cobb FC
ODP:
- Played in Georgia ODP (2007, 2008)
COACH CURRIER’S COMMENT: Jonathan provides tremendous character, leadership and athleticism to our back line.
Stefen Picton
Outside Mid/Striker • 5’9
Hometown: Lenoir, N.C.
High School: Hibriten High School
Club: North Meck Soccer Academy
HIGH SCHOOL ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
- 2009 All-State honoree
- Three time all-conference selection
- Two-time all-county
- Two-time all-region selection
-Named County Player of the Year (2009)
-In four seasons, led Hibriten to a 59-33-3 overall record and to the playoffs every year
-Tallied 49 goals and 23 assists
-Named to Honor Roll and carries a 4.33 GPA
CLUB ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
-NMSC Premier League Champions (2007)
-NCYSA State Cup Finalist (2007)
-NMSC Disney Finalist (2006)
COACH CURRIER’S COMMENT: Stefen is one of the most athletic players in the country that breaks down defenses with his speed and tenacity.
Badir Sherman
Striker/Left Back • 5’9
Hometown: Pelham, N.Y.
High School: Pelham Memorial High School
Club: Albertson SC
HIGH SCHOOL ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
- Selected to the 2009 adidas Elite Soccer Program
- 2008 NYSPHSAA All-League and all-section honoree
- 2008 and 2009 Team Captain
- 2007 Lower Hudson Athletic Conference League B
- Named Journal News Player to Watch in 2008
- Named Player of the Week in Journal News
- Tallied 17 goals and 18 assists for 50 career points
- Two-time Honor Roll
CLUB ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
- Attended 2007-08 Development Academy Nationals and won NE Division in USSF
- Played for FC Westchester in 2001-02
- Played for Albertson SC from 2003-07
- Played for USSF from 2007-2010
ODP:
- Played for NY-North ODP from 2003-2006
COACH CURRIER’S COMMENT: Badir is an extremely athletic player that has the capability in excelling in several different positions.
Alec Storm
Goalkeeper • 6’ 0
Hometown: Inverness, Ill.
High School: William Fremd High School
Club: Sockers FC Chicago
HIGH SCHOOL ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
- Named to the High Honor Roll every semester and carries a 3.9 GPA
CLUB ACCOMPLISHMENTS
- 2009 adidas ESP participant in Denver
- Played in Sockers FC Top Talent Development Program from 2006-2009
- U-17 Disney Soccer Showcase Champions in 2008
- 2006 and 2007 Manchester United Cup champions
- 2007 Nike Friendlies
- U-14 Midwest Regional League Champions in 2006
COACH CURRIER’S COMMENT: Alec is a hardworking goalkeeper with a very strong pedigree of youth soccer.
Alex Winrich
Midfield • 6’ 0
Hometown: Louisville, Ky.
High School: Trinity High School
Club: United 1996 FC
HIGH SCHOOL ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
- All-State Honorable Mention (2009)
- All Region Team (2009)
- Named to the All Tournament Team for the Great Midwest Classic Tournament (2009)
- Vype Magazine Community Athlete of the Month (2009)
- Four year Varsity starter and was captain senior year
- Career Record of 70-20-7 at Trinity
- Led his team to the 2007 Kentucky Final Four and two Region 7 championships (2007-08 and 2009-10)
- Academic All State—First Team (2009)
- National Merit Honorable Mention (2009)
- Member of National Honor Society and Beta Club
- Honor Roll every quarter (all 4 years)
CLUB ACCOMPLISHMENTS
- Led Mockingbird to two state titles
- Led United 1996 FC to two state finals appearances in 4 years (2007-2010)
- Led his team to CASL College Showcase, Metro United College Showcase, and Jefferson Cup Championships during four years with United 1996 FC
COACH CURRIER’S COMMENT: Alex has an exceptional work-rate and can be utilized in multiple positions.
