Today’s examination begins with a mid-major contender:

Butler
Signed: Brycen Howard (Indiana United), Thor Kellin (Sereno Soccer Club), Tyler Lasky (Westside United Soccer Club), Vlad Lekarev (Internationals SC), Jesse Miser (Indiana United Soccer Club), Chad Rigg (Indiana United Soccer Club), Tanner Wilcox (Indiana United Soccer Club)
Skinny: It could be a year of transition for the Bulldogs who have a new coach and some new faces in tow. The program has risen to the top of the Horizon League, and the next step is extending their success to the national scene. Despite a great regular season, Butler bowed out early in the NCAA Tournament last season. Can this year’s group help change things?

Vlad Lekarev

Lekarev is a versatile starter for Internationals SC, and could play multiple positions for the Bulldogs. Butler tapped Indiana United, one of the top clubs in the Development Academy, for four of its prospects in Howard, Rigg, Wilcox and Miser. Defender Kellin has already gotten high marks from coach Paul Snape for his work ethic and intensity.  

Rutgers
Signed: Nathan Bruccoleri (PDA), Juan Pablo Correa (Match Fit), Connor Hurff (Pittsgrove SC), Liam Dolan (Pittsgrove Premier), Connor Marino (Next Level Soccer Academy), Max Moller (Tulsa Soccer Club), Matt Berman (FC Copa), Devin Fuller (NJSA 04), Matthew Sawaged (NJSA), Bobby Spracklin (Pittsgrove Premier), Ryan Woods (Next Level Soccer Academy)  
Skinny: Following a season in which they won just one Big East match, the Scarlet Knights could use some reinforcements. This explains why so many new players will be arriving this fall. Among them is Correa, our No. 28 ranked player in the Top 100. Corea is a tricky winger who combines quickness with creativity. He’ll be a welcome threat in Rutgers’ attack. Joining him is also Bruccoleri , the No. 13 ranked player in the New Jersey Region. He is a PDA winger who could be a strong contributor. Sawaged, No. 20 in our New Jersey ranking, is a talented defender.

Bowling Green
Signed: Dan Baraldi (Internationals SC), Alex Bechtol (Columbus Crew), Tony Boerio (Columbus Crew), Jon Kumher (PA Classic), Nico Oliverio (Indiana United)
Skinny: The Mid-American contender has addressed its defense. Kumher will play in the backline and is the No. 19 ranked player in the Pennsylvania Region. He is also capable of seeing some minutes in the midfield, which can be said about the other Falcons pickups. Olivero also falls into that category. He plays in the back much of the time for his Indiana United squad, but he certainly has the skills to play up. He’s a tough competitor as well. Bechtol is also a defender with good size and experience playing against top competition.

Adelphi
Signed: Phillip Carllson (Cairo Egypt), Matt Delph (Middle Country Soccer), Danny Finn (Auburndale Soccer Club), Christopher Herrara (Cosmos Academy East), Jordan Hibbert (Sigma Football Club), Greg Mallia (Gottschee Academy), Gianluca Masucci (Brooklyn Italians), Nick Orsaris (New York Red Bulls), Ahmad Salanah (Blackwatch Soccer Club), Adrian Sundquist (Gothenburg, Sweden), Andres Torres (Beachside Soccer Club)
Skinny: It’s a big collection for the Panthers this season who are coming off a strong showing in the Atlantic Soccer Conference last season. This freshmen class is just about two-deep at each position and also features some international prospects. Herrera is a 6-foot-3 goalkeeper who has shown some good signs this season with Cosmos Academy East. Of course, he’s also joined by keeper Salanah.

Finn is a defender with good size and poise and he’ll be joined by fellow defender Hibbert, who could see some time in the midfield. It will be interesting to see which of these newcomers can separate themselves from the pack and earn some minutes this season.

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