Former U.S. U.S. under-17 resident Joel Nash heads the 2010 Evansville men’s recruiting class.
Coach MikeJacobs announced the signing today of nine recruits: Ethan Brunk (Ellisville, Mo.), Ryan Buda (Stevens Point,Wis,), Sam Carenza (Ballwin, Mo.), Brandon Causey (Prospect, Ky.), DanielCortez (Houston, Texas), Alex Kapsalis (Fishers, Ind.), Philip Manga (Lexington, Ky.) and
“This incoming group will rate right up there with some of our recent classes,” said Jacobs, “allowing usto add some of the best youth players in the nation.”
The 2010 class:
Ethan Brunk, Goalkeeper
6-4, 170, Ellisville, Mo. / LafayetteHS
Brunk plays in goal for the St. Louis Scott Gallagher program, and was a member of the Missouri Olympic Development Program Pool.
Ryan Buda,Midfielder
5-7, 150, Stevens Point, Wis. / Stevens Point Area Sr. HS
Buda is regarded as one of the top midfielders in the Midwest, and has been a regular starter in themidfield and in the back for the Region II Olympic Development Program team.
Sam Carenza, Midfielder
6-1, 165, Ballwin, Mo./Christian BrothersCollege HS
Carenza is regarded as one of the top prospects in the St. Louis metropolitan area, leading his Christian Brothers College (CBC) High School to the 2009 Missouri statechampionship. Carenza was a first-team All-State selection. The versatile midfielder has also been a standout at the club level for St. Louis Scott Gallagher Metro.
6-1, 170, Prospect, Ky./North Oldham HS
Causey has been a standout defender for one of the top youth teams in the nation,leading Javanon FC to the U.S. Youth Soccer National Championships in 2008 and 2009 as the Region II champions.
Daniel Cortez,Defender/Midfielder
5-10, 170, Houston, Texas/Klein Forest HS
Cortez has been one of the team leaders at center back for the Dallas Texans Houston team that advanced to theU.S. Youth Soccer National Championships last summer.
Alex Kapsalis, Midfielder
6-0, 165, Fishers, Ind./Fishers HS
Kapsalis has ledhis FC Pride team to Indiana State Cup championships in 2006, 2007 and 2008, and to Midwest Regional League titles in 2007 and 2008.
Philip Manga,Forward
6-1, 160, Lexington, Ky./Henry Clay HS
Manga is one of the more dynamic attacking players in the nation. He has led his Lexington Futbol Club team to the Under-16Kentucky State Cup Championship this past summer, where they advanced to the USYSA Region II Championships.
Joel Nash, Midfielder
5-7, 150,Ellicott City, Md./The Learning Community International
Nash is one of the top midfield prospects in the nation, and represented the U.S. at the U-17 level. Nash has also participated inthe Brad Friedel Premier Soccer Academy, as well as academy programs of the Columbus Crew and D.C. United.
Taylor Parker, Forward
6-1, 175,Prospect, Ky. / Saint Xavier HS
Parker is a standout forward for Mockingbird Valley Soccer Club, the Kentucky state champions from 2004 through 2007. St. Xavier High School has beenregarded as one of the best in the nation, winning the Kentucky state championship in 2008 and 2009.