CHICAGO - DePaul University men’s soccer coach Craig Blazer announced the signing of seven student-athletes to a National Letter of Intent. Antonio Aguilar, David Leverentz, Josh Magness, Matt Riggio, Brian Schultz, Eric Sorby and Austin Toth are set to join the Blue Demons next season.

 

“We are pleased to introduce our seven new student-athlete’s and their families to the DePaul soccer program” said Blazer. “During the last two seasons DePaul soccer has earned national recognition on the field and in the classroom. We have had back to back winning seasons and BIG EAST Conference Championship semifinal appearances, 2007 BIG EAST Red Division Champions, 2007 NCAA Tournament and the 2007-08 BIG EAST Team Academic Excellence Award. We believe these young men will be great additions to the program and will play an important role of our future success.”

 

Antonio Aguilar

Position: Midfield and Forward

Hometown: Hammond, Ind.

High School: Mt. Carmel

Club: Chicago FC

 

Aguilar has earned All-Midwest, All-State and All-Area honors at Mt. Carmel while being named a first team All-Catholic League honoree on three occasions. He was named MVP of the Pepsi Showdown and is coached by Adrian Calleros. He plays club soccer for Chicago FC coached by Nico Lambropoulos.

 

Coach Blazer on Aguilar: “Antonio is a very skillful left-sided attacking player who has the ability to score goals. Antonio will be an excellent attacking option for us next season.”

 

David Leverentz

Position: Midfield

Hometown: Barrington, Ill.

High School: Lake Zurich

Club: Sockers FC

 

Leverentz plays on the club circuit with fellow DePaul signees Matt Riggio and Eric Sorby. In the last two years, he has participated in the Sockers FC Academy Program while playing for David Richardson. Sockers FC claimed the Illinois State Cup.

 

Coach Blazer on Leverentz: “David has good feet, a good work rate, and passes very well in the attacking third. David will be a good addition and will strengthen our midfield.”

 

Josh Magness

Position: Midfield

Hometown: Overland Park, Kan.

High School: St. Thomas Aquinas

Club: Blue Valley Soccer Club and KCFC

 

Magness was part of four straight state championships with St. Thomas Aquinas coached by Craig Ewing. He totaled 32 points as a senior on 11 goals and 10 assists and earned All-State honors. In addition to the All-State honors, he received All-League, All-Region and All-State Academic recognition. With Blue Valley Soccer Club, he won six state cup championships since 2002 and also plays with KCFC. At the club level, he is coached by Fred Schlichting and Gareth Hughes.

 

Coach Blazer on Magness: “Josh is a versatile offensive and defensive player with a tireless work rate. Josh will develop into a quality BIG EAST player.”

 

Matt Riggio

Position: Defender

Hometown: Mundelein, Ill.

High School: St. Viator

Club: Sockers FC

 

Riggio played at St. Viator for head coach Mike Taylor. He is a two-time Defensive Player of the Year, IHSSCA All-State honoree and All-Conference member for the East Suburban Catholic Conference. He was named ESCC co-MVP after leading St. Viator to back-to-back conference title while allowing just four goals. Riggio picked up All-Area honors from the Daily Herald, Chicago Sun-Times and Chicago Tribune. He joins fellow Sockers FC teammates David Leverentz and Eric Sorby. The trio led Sockers FC, coach by David Richardson, to the Illinois State Cup.

 

Coach Blazer on Riggio: “Matt is a competitive central defender who has an outstanding on field presence. Matt’s leadership will be counted on.”

 

Brian Schultz

Position: Midfield/Forward

Hometown: St. Louis, Mo.

High School: Saint Louis University High School

Club: Scott Gallagher

 

Schultz continues the Saint Louis University High School pipeline to Lincoln Park as he joins Matt Leinauer on the Blue Demon roster in 2009. He is a three-year letterwinner on his high school team that was ranked in the top five nationally in each of the last two seasons. He totaled 39 goals and 18 assists during his prep career and earned All-Metro honors while playing for Charlie Martel and Charlie Clark. His club team, Scott Gallagher, reached the Region II finals and is coached by Mike Dorsey.

 

Coach Blazer on Schultz: “Brian is an attacking player and consistently scores goals. Brian will be an outstanding attacking option as a forward or midfielder.”

 

Eric Sorby

Position: Goalkeeper

Hometown: Mundelein, Ill.

High School: Mundelien

Club: Sockers FC

 

Sorby plays club soccer with fellow DePaul signees David Leverentz and Matt Riggio. He was selected to play in the Sockers FC Academy Program while playing for David Richardson. Sockers FC claimed the Illinois State Cup. He played as a freshman, sophomore and junior for Mundelein High School where he earned Rookie of the Year honors as a freshman from the Pioneer Press. While playing three seasons for former Blue Demon Chris Sell, he added All-Area recognition.

 

Coach Blazer on Sorby: “Eric is a technically sound goalkeeper and has many of the innate qualities that the position requires. Eric’s confidence will serve him well in the BIG EAST.”

 

Austin Toth

Position: Defender

Hometown: Milwaukee, Wis.

High School: St. Pius

Club: Croatian Eagles

 

Toth earned All-State honors and was a four-year letterwinner. The three-year starter picked up All-Conference recognition twice and served as team captain his last two seasons. With the Croatian Soccer Club, he claimed a state cup championship and two finals appearances. Toth has also been a member of Wisconsin’s state ODP team five times.

 

Coach Blazer on Toth: “Austin is a very intelligent, hard working left-sided defender. Austin will provide us a solid defensive option.”