WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. – Monmouth University men’s soccer head coach Robert McCourt has announced the addition of 10 student-athletes for the fall season.

“I am very excited about this year’s class,” McCourt said. “It’s a big class in terms of number and also quality. There is a balance of experienced players and incoming college freshmen, which will add quality and depth to a very talented group of returners. They will help create real competition for playing time in every position. The class is comprised of players that have gained valuable experience in college, U.S. Soccer Development Academy and high school. I’m excited to get the 2018 season started.”

The Hawks registered a 7-9-2 record last year and will open the 2018 season at the University of Denver Aug. 24. Monmouth welcomes Lafayette to West Long Branch for its Aug. 28 home opener.

MEET THE CLASS

John Askin

Howell, N.J.

5-10, 160 lbs.

Defense

High School: Christian Brothers Academy

Club Team: Ocean Township Spartans

First Team All-Shore Conference as a senior at Christian Brothers Academy… As a senior, earned First Team A-North, A-North Player of the Year, First Team All Non-Public A, and Second Team All-State… 2016 Shore Conference Champion, 2016 and 2017 A-North Champion, 2016 Non Public A Sectional Champion, 2017 Non Public A Sectional Champion, 2016 Non- Public A State Champion… Plays for legendary Jersey Shore soccer coach Jim Sintic for Ocean Soccer Club… 2017 NJ Youth U17/18 National President Cup Finalist… 2017 NJ Youth U17/18 President Cup Region 1 Champion… 2017 NJ Youth U17/18 New Jersey State Champion… On the Honor Roll every semester of high school

Ramon Bernad

Elche, Spain

6-0, 165 lbs.

Defense

High School: Colegio Aitana

Club Team: Elche C.F.

Played for Elche CF in Spain… Attended Colegio Aitana in Alicante, Spain… Son of Ramon Bernad Grima… Intends to major in Business and Marketing

Boris Del Valle

Linden, N.J.

6-0, 160 lbs.

Goalkeeper

High School: Linden

Club Team: PDA U-19 Academy

Played at both Linden High School and Players Development Academy from 2015-18…Won pre-academy National Championship in 2014

Nicholas Gaviria

Elmont, N.Y.

6-1, 165 lbs.

Goalkeeper

High School: Sewanhaka

Club Team: Dix Hills

Registered the most saves and played the most games in Sewanhaka High School history… All-County honors as a junior and senior… Team MVP as a junior and senior… 2015 US Youth Soccer Region 1 Championships Finalist, 2016 US Youth Soccer National Championships Finalist, 2017 US Youth Soccer Region 1 Championships Finalist, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 US Youth Soccer New York State Champions, 2015, 2016 Disney Showcase Champions… National Honor Society, National Language Honor Society, AP Scholar

Ryan Keenan

Bethlehem, Pa.

5-11, 160 lbs.

Forward

High School: Northampton Area

Club Team: PDA

Earned Second Team and Third Team All-State during his high school career… At Players Development Academy U-18/19, he played in 15 games with 11 starts, scoring four goals… Played for US Youth Soccer’s Olympic Development Program (ODP)… Also played with Lehigh Valley United club team

Liam McGregor

Middletown, N.J.

5-10, 160 lbs.

Forward

High School: Middletown North

Club Team: FC Copa

Three-year varsity starter at Middletown North… Scored 29 goals with 19 assists during his career… As a junior and senior, he earned First Team All-Division, Second Team All-Conference, and was also an All-State selection

Michael Neff

Holmdel, N.J.

5-10, 145 lbs.

Defense

High School: Holmdel

Club Team: FC Copa

Scored 15 goals with 10 assists during career… First Team All-Shore selection and Second Team All-Group II as a senior… Third Team All-State after senior season… Won State Championship, Sectional Championship, and Shore Conference Championship throughout career

Nathan Reyes

Bergenfield, N.J.

5-7, 165 lbs.

Midfield

High School: Bergenfield

Club Team: Cedar Stars Academy

Played for both Bergenfield High School and New Jersey Cedar Stars Academy… Went on a six-game winning streak to lead team to Academy playoffs in 2016, becoming first team to do so in Cedar Stars history

Chris Scheuerman

Old Bridge, N.J.

5-11, 160 lbs.

Midfield/Defense

High School: Old Bridge

Previous: Providence

Club Team: Cedar Stars Academy

USSDA member… Ranked top-11 player in the region… Played for New England Revolution Academy … Captained the team for three seasons … Started 24 games in the 2014-15 season … Led the team in assists, with six … Participated in the Development Academy Showcase and started in all three games… Won Big East Championship with Providence in 2016

James Weinberg

Morganville, N.J.

6-2, 175 lbs.

Goalkeeper

High School: Marlboro

Previous: Seton Hall

Club Team: NJCSA Marlboro Warriors

At Marlboro, compiled a 0.86 career goals against average with 21 shutouts in 42 games played… First Team All-Shore Conference as a senior… Shore Conference Goalkeeper of the Year in 2016… First Team All-State selection in 2016… During senior season, went 20-1-3 with 14 shutouts… Led Marlboro to Conference Finals and Group 4 State Finals… With NJCSA Marlboro, he won four NJ State Cup Championships, the 2016 US Club National Championship, and was a 2017 US Club National Finalist

In 14 seasons at Monmouth, McCourt has compiled a 157-70-51 (.656) record while leading the Hawks to five conference championships and nine regular season titles.

Front Row Soccer editor Michael Lewis has covered 13 World Cups (eight men, five women), seven Olympics and 25 MLS Cups. He has written about New York City FC, New York Cosmos, the New York Red Bulls and both U.S. national teams for Newsday and has penned a soccer history column for the Guardian.com. Lewis, who has been honored by the Press Club of Long Island and National Soccer Coaches Association of America, is the former editor of BigAppleSoccer.com. He has written seven books about the beautiful game and has published ALIVE AND KICKING The incredible but true story of the Rochester Lancers. It is available at Amazon.com.