MONTGOMERY, Ala. ----- Head men's soccer coach Wulf Koch announced Tuesday morning his 2016 signing class, the first in preparation for Auburn Montgomery's transition into the NCAA Division II.

"I'm excited about this class," Koch said. "I think this is a new horizon for us in terms of recruiting domestically, especially in the state of Alabama. We are getting strong interest from great players in state and we want to do our best to keep them. I think with the move from NAIA to NCAA we are really able to follow through with that philosophy."

The initial seven-man class is composed of Simon van Rheeden, Chandler Thomason, Christian Thomason, Brandon Kelly, Alexis Arriaga, Richard Bjornsby and Asher Gipner.

Rheeden, a native of Oud-Beijerland, Netherlands, has over 13 years of playing experience with club team VV Sho where he has become his club's leading scorer 12 seasons. Through 12 matches this season, Rheeden has 20 goals. Helping VV Sho to nine Hoeksche Waard Bokaal tournament victories, he also gives back to the youth by helping train the U/9 team.

Chandler Thomason, a center back from Oak Mountain High School in Birmingham, Ala., has lettered three years in soccer. In 2015, he helped guide his team to a 7A Alabama State Championship. He played six seasons under club soccer head coach Pete Lionos with Vestavia Hills Soccer Club where his team won state championships from 2011-2014. Chandler also lettered one year in cross-country for the Eagles.

Christian Thomason, Chandler's twin brother and teammate at Oak Mountain High School, is a three-year letterman in soccer. Winning the 2015 7A Alabama State Championship, he was also named All-State Honorable Mention. Along with his brother, Christian played six seasons of club soccer with Vestavia Hill Soccer Club where his team earned state championships for four consecutive years.  He also lettered one year in cross-country.

Kelly, a left back from Birmingham, Ala., lettered two years at Oak Mountain High School where he was teammates with the Thomason brothers and won a 7A State Championship his junior year. Kelly has seven years of club soccer experience, Vestavia Hills Soccer Club (4) and Briarwood Club Soccer (3).

Arriaga, originally from San Luis Potosi, Mexico, played his prep soccer at James Clemons High School in Madison, Ala. Under head coach Blake Havard, he was named Varsity MVP his senior year. A seven-year club soccer at the attacking midfield position, Arriaga played United Soccer Club under coaches Trevor Redpath and Rusty Campbell.

Bjornsby, a midfielder from Stockholm, Sweden, lettered three years in soccer at Thoren Business School under head coach Johan Lonn. He played club soccer for Enskede IK P97 for one year for head coach Goran Jaccopucci.

Gipner, a native of Somerville, Ala., lettered four years in soccer at A.P. Brewer High School. The midfielder also played four years of club soccer with North Alabama United Crossroads, where in 2013 his team was a state finalist. Gipner also lettered one year for the Patriots in cross-country where he earned All-County, All-Section and was a State-Qualifier.

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