CINCINNATI – University of Cincinnati men’s soccer coach Hylton Dayes today announced a six-member recruiting class for the 2009 season.  The class includes four Ohio products and a junior college all-America selection.

“We were able to get four of the best players in the state of Ohio and two other quality players that will help us achieve our goal of competing for the BIG EAST championship,” Dayes said.

Two local high school standouts, Ryan Lavigne (Cincinnati, Ohio/Sycamore) and Zach Patterson (Mason, Ohio/Mason) will join the roster in 2009.  The 2008 recruiting class featured 17 players and this year’s six-player class will help sustain that nucleus of young talent.  The coaching staff expects to add two more players to the roster prior to the season.

“This group is certainly not as big as last year’s recruiting class, but they address specific needs,” Dayes continued.  “Every player in the class comes from a winning tradition and fits our athletic and academic profile here at UC.”

The Bearcats finished 2008 with a 7-10-2 mark, with six losses coming against nationally-ranked foes.  UC knocked off No. 11/11 USF, 1-0, on Oct. 28, and qualified for the BIG EAST Tournament for the fourth consecutive season.

The Bearcats open the 2009 season on Aug. 21 in Gettler Stadium with an exhibition match against Cincinnati State.


Dan Cooperider
High School: A second-team all-state selection as a senior at Sylvania Northview … three-time all-conference honoree … scored 24 career goals and added 23 assists … tallied 13 goals and 11 assists as a senior … led squad to pair of district championships and a regional championship … earned spots on honor roll and presidential honor roll during prep career.
Club: Played with Cleveland Internationals.
Personal: Born Dec. 26, 1990 … son of Todd and Jennifer Cooperider.
Academic Major: Undecided.
Dayes on Cooperider: “Dan is an excellent young man with a great background.  He’ll play primarily as a central midfielder.  He is a good passer, which is important in that position.  He plays for a very good club program in the Cleveland Internationals.  He is someone who will add depth in the central midfield and can push for playing time.”                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  

Peter Jannelli
High School: Two-time all-county and all-league selection at Springfield High School … scored 18 career goals with 15 career assists … named league’s top offensive player as a senior … helped squad to district semifinals during senior season.
Club: Played with Lower Merion SC.
Personal:  Born Sept. 9, 1991 … son of Peter and Linda Jannelli.
Academic Major: Business.
Dayes on Jannelli: “Peter is a tenacious player with a great work ethic.  We see him as someone who could contribute in a wide midfield role.  He has very good quickness and is a good technical player.”

Ryan Lavigne
High School: A two-time all-state performer at Sycamore High School … named to the all-conference squad three times and twice honored as an all-city selection … a member of the NSCAA all-Region IV team following his senior season … earned Greater Miami Conference Player of the Year and Cincinnati Enquirer Division I Player of the Year honors following senior season … scored 32 career goals with 13 career assists … led Sycamore to 2008 conference title with a 14-2-4 mark.
Club: Played with Ohio Elite Soccer Academy, where he was coached by UC assistant Jared Micklos.
Personal: Born July 4, 1991 … son of Andre and Ruth Lavigne … father played hockey at Wisconsin from 1973-75.
Academic Major: Undecided.
Dayes on Lavigne: “Ryan is one of the top players coming out of Cincinnati.  We are very familiar with him, as he attended our camp.  He is primarily a central midfield player, but he can also play outside.  He has the potential to develop into a BIG EAST-caliber player.”

Christian Myton
High School: A two-time all-conference and all-area selection at Chaminade Julienne High School … second-team all-Ohio selection as a senior.
Club: Member of the Metro FC Rapids club team in Dayton, Ohio … a member of the Ohio Olympic Development state team … an ODP Region II pool player for two years … helped club to a pair of state cup runner-up finishes.
Personal: Born July 14, 1991 … son of Mark and Alexis Myton … brother, Andrew, played soccer for UC in 2008.
Academic Major:  Physical therapy.
Dayes on Myton: “Christian is a physical presence.  He has great balance, quickness, and holds the ball well.  We feel that he is one of the better players coming out of Ohio.  He has the ability to contribute immediately because of his work ethic, quickness, and his ability to finish around the goal.”

Zach Patterson
High School: Led Mason High School to three league championships during prep career … scored 20 career goals, which tied school record, with nine assists … first-team all-conference, all-city, and all-state as a senior … NSCAA all-Region IV selection following senior season … also earned all-conference honors following sophomore and junior seasons.
Club: Played with Ohio Elite Soccer Academy, where he was coached by UC assistant Jared Micklos.
Personal: Born Sept. 5, 1990 … son of Mike and Kim Patterson … father is a UC graduate.
Academic Major: Undecided.
Dayes on Patterson: “Zach is a versatile player and a very good athlete.  He can play as a defender as well in midfield.  He gets forward very well, which is very important in our system.”

Tristan Watson
Prior to UC: Spent 2008 season at Lakeland Community College, scoring nine goals and adding four assists … helped Lakeland to conference title … missed 2007 season with knee injury … spent 2006 season at Genesee Community College … earned second-team all-America honors during freshman campaign … scored 19 goals and added nine assists in 18 matches at Genesee … helped squad to conference title and regional semifinals.
Club: Played club soccer with Erin Mills SC … helped club to 2005 and 2006 Ontario Cup championships.
Personal: Born June 27, 1986 … son of Anthony Broomfield and Debbie Watson.
Academic Major: Criminal Justice.

Dayes on Watson: “Tristan has all the physical tools to be an impact player in the BIG EAST from an athletic standpoint.  He was with us this spring and showed glimpses of what he can do.  He will be a very tough matchup for opposing defenders because of his size, speed, first touch, and ability to create goal-scoring opportunities.”