AU announces men's signing class

AU announces men's signing class
March 24, 2020

WASHINGTON – American University men's soccer head coach Zach Samol has announced his first recruiting class as a new staff, which features nine student-athletes from seven states. More additions to the class will be announced in the coming weeks.
 
"We are really excited about our first recruiting class. It's a big group of players with real versatility and we believe all nine of them have the ability to contribute right away or provide valuable competition amongst the squad," said Samol. "Mike Montross and Dan Louisignau have worked extremely hard helping to put this group together and continue to work! After taking a look at our positional needs, character and what we value here at AU, we feel good about the balance in the class and how they will fit into our system. I'm excited about the personalities and the character that will be joining the program and excited about the future. Lastly, we want to thank all nine players for putting their trust in the staff and the program as we look to the future."
 
NEVIN BAER
 
Position: Defender/Midfielder
Club: Lehigh Valley United / FPA
 
NSD
 
Prior to AU: In 2019, Baer was part of an FPA team that won the state and regional championships qualifying them for nationals. During his senior season at Abington High School, Baer was named First Team All-League, All-Southeastern PA, All-Region, and the Player of the Year after scoring 12 goals and 15 assists. He was named MVP of the 2018 squad that made it to the district finals. Over the course of his career, Baer was named First Team All-League three times. Baer is also a member of the National Honor Society.
 
Why AU: "I chose American because I am really excited to get down to campus and start working with the men's soccer staff and my future teammates. I also really like D.C. and the campus here is beautiful."
 
MIKE BLEEKER
 
Position: Defender
Club: NJ Stallions Academy

NSD
 
Prior to AU: Bleeker has played his club soccer for the NJ Stallions Academy since 2012. He was part of a NJ Stallions team that was the 2017 New Jersey State Cup champion and was also the 2018 national semifinalist. The team won four EDP championships as well. Bleeker was a two-time team captain at Wayne Valley High School. In addition to being named First Team All-County and All-League in each of his final two seasons, Bleeker also earned All-State recognition twice, including First Team honors as a senior.
 
Why AU: "I felt an immediate connection with the coaching staff on my first visit and felt very comfortable on the campus. With the new coaching staff in place, I knew the program was heading in the right direction and I am excited to be a part of it. I'm excited to be in the Washington, D.C. area and look forward to the great education that I will be receiving at AU."
 
JASON BOUREGY
 
Position: Midfielder
Club: PDA

NSD
 
Prior to AU: Bouregy spent eight years playing his club soccer with World Class FC, highlighted by finishing as the ECNL Northeast finalists in 2018. He played for the New Jersey state ODP team in both 2017 and 2018, and also played for the ODP Region I team. In three seasons of high school soccer, Bouregy scored 51 goals and added 49 assists. In 2019, Bouregy joined PDA of the U.S. Soccer Development Academy. This season he has started 11 out of 14 games and scored twice.
 
Why AU: "I chose AU because I believe it is one of the best universities in country. Also, as a soccer player and a student-athlete, I believe I can be a part of AU history in helping to build the soccer program."
 
ETHAN BOYLE
 
Position: Midfielder
Club: Real Colorado

NSD
 
Prior to AU: Boyle spent two seasons with the Colorado Rapids and attended multiple U.S. Soccer training centers while in the Rapids academy. He also excels in futsal, playing in national and regional tournaments with three-time league champion, 303Futsal Academy. Boyle was selected to attend a U.S. Futsal National Team ID camp. In 2018, Boyle played his club soccer with FC Denver. Currently, Boyle plays for Real Colorado in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy. This season he has started 10 of 15 games with one goal scored and three assists.
 
Why AU: "I really connected with the coaching staff and I am excited about their vision for the program. Additionally, AU offers a lot of great academic opportunities."
 
LORENZO GORDON
 
Position: Goalkeeper
Club: D.C. United

NSD
 
Prior to AU: During his youth career, Gordon was invited to multiple U.S. National Training Centers from 2012-15. He played for the 2015 Virginia State Cup champion as well as the 2016 Region I ODP champion. Since 2016, Gordon has played for D.C. United and has also captained the squad. He was invited to D.C. United's first-team pre-season camp in 2020 and he's currently rostered with Loudoun United FC for the 2020 USL Championship season.
 
Why AU: "I chose to be a student-athlete at American University because it checked off all of the boxes for what I was searching for in a university. The soccer program and its outstanding coaching staff will provide a great platform for me to develop. The academic curriculum of American is excellent and will challenge me in many ways."
 
TOMAS MARTINI
 
Position: Midfielder
Club: Bethesda SC

NSD
 
Prior to AU: Martini has played his club soccer for Bethesda SC since 2015. He was a member of the team that won the 2015 Maryland state championship. In 2016, his squad qualified for the NPL Northeast Academy playoffs and finished in third place. Martini was invited to the U.S. National Training Centers multiple times from 2015-18. Most recently he's been a part of teams that appeared in the academy playoffs and Winter Cup after finishing third in their conference in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy league.
 
Why AU: "I chose AU because it provides me the opportunity of getting a great education in the nation's capital, as well as competing in high-level, Division I soccer."
 
ROBERT MATEI
 
Position: Midfielder/Forward
Club: Sockers FC

NSD
 
Prior to AU: As a member of Sockers FC, he has made 97 appearances and scored 26 goals since the 2015-16 season. Matei spent time training with FC Schalke in Germany in 2016. Top Drawer Soccer has ranked Matei as the No. 8 prospect in the Midwest. His Sockers FC team finished fourth in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy in 2018-19. During the current season, Matei has started all 13 games and scored five goals.
 
Why AU: "I chose AU because the combination of academics and athletics fits me perfectly. I was attracted by the great coaching staff because they are very determined to improve each individual player and the team. Also, AU is a very prestigious school that provides the students with many career paths and internships."
 
EVAN SCHWEICKERT
 
Position: Midfielder
Club: Oakwood SC

NSD
 
Prior to AU: Schweickert has played his club soccer for Oakwood SC since 2011. He has been named the team captain over the last four seasons and Top Drawer Soccer has ranked Schweickert as the No. 3 player in the Northeast Region. This season he has started all 13 games and scored seven goals. Schweickert comes from a family of athletes, as his brother plays soccer at Army West Point, his mother played field hockey at Northwestern, and his grandfather played soccer at Brown.
 
Why AU: "I want to play my next four years of soccer under the coaching staff at AU. They bring a style of play I want to play in. Similarly, the guys on the team are guys that I can see myself playing soccer with and fitting in with. I want to focus on Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement, so being in our nation's capital seemed like the best place for me."
 
KEVIN VENTURA
 
Position: Midfielder/Defender
Club: Bethesda SC

NSD
 
Prior to AU: Ventura has been a starter for both Bethesda SC and D.C. United academy teams during the last three seasons in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy league. During the current season, he has started 11 of 12 games for Bethesda SC. He is a lieutenant in Junior ROTC at St. John's College High School and has earned the Presidential Physical Fitness Award.
 
Why AU: "I picked AU because of the high academics and the drive to improve the soccer program."

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