Bucknell University Athletics
Eight Recruits Welcomed to Bucknell Men's Soccer Program
2/15/2006 7:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Feb. 15, 2006
LEWISBURG, Pa. - Bucknell head men's soccer coach Brendan Nash announced Wednesday the eight members of his incoming recruiting class. The talented group includes student-athletes that hail from six different states and Japan.
The versatile class of players, which includes one forward, five midfielders, one defender and one goalkeeper, features seven players who served as team captain and three who earned all-state honors. Three players helped lead their teams to state championships, while one led the Far East Pacific League in Japan in scoring.
"This class filled our needs, as well as helps us improve in some areas, after losing four starters to graduation," said Nash, who owns a 63-55-14 career record. "They embraced the fact that with our new facility the program will have higher expectations and they all welcome the challenges Bucknell will offer them in the classroom and on the soccer field.
"Most of the class visited on the same weekends and really bonded, which should only add to our team chemistry. The majority of the class gave their verbal commitments on their official visit in October, showing how excited they are to be coming here."
Following is an alphabetical list of the eight Bucknell men's soccer recruits that comprise the Class of 2010:
William Byrne (Harrisburg, Pa./Susquehanna) - Goalkeeper ... two-year team captain of high school team ... most valuable player ... named to Patriot News Big 11 Team as a junior and senior ... member of Eastern Pennsylvania Olympic Development Program (ODP) ... plays club soccer for Super Nova F.C. ... talented football player who will participate in Pennsylvania East vs. West state football game.
Nash on Byrne: "William is an intimidating presence in goal. His height (6-5) allows him to reach many crosses and balls played into the box. He is also very quick at stopping shots for a goalkeeper his size. I think he has all the tools to continue our tradition of strong goalkeepers."
Ben Clements (St. Louis, Mo./John Burroughs) - Midfielder ... served as team captain of high school squad ... two-time all-state selection ... member of all-metro team ... plays club soccer for three-time state champion and 2003 national finalist Lou Fuz.
Nash on Clements: "Ben is going to be a big presence in the middle of the field for us. His size (6-2) allows him to win many balls in the air. Additionally, he has great vision and excellent technical ability for a big guy."
Sean Gilmartin (Branchburg, N.J./St. Joseph's Metuchen) - Midfielder/Defender ... captain of high school team as a senior ... named first-team all-state ... member of New Jersey ODP ... plays club soccer for defending state champion PDA Cantona.
Nash on Gilmartin: "I am very excited about Sean. He is a natural lefty and can play either position on the left flank. Sean has a great work ethic and his defensive pressure fits perfectly in our system."
Sean King (Medford, N.J./Shawnee) - Midfielder ... named South Jersey Midfield Player of the Year as a senior ... first-team all-state selection ... led high school team to state championship in 2003 and to second-place showing in 2005 ... plays club soccer for the Matchfit United squad.
Nash on King: "Sean is as versatile a player as we have recruited into our program over the years. He can play numerous spots on the field and is comfortable in all of them. The other thing I like about Sean is the success of the teams he has played with. He has always been part of a winning team."
Nathan LaGrave (Okinawa, Japan/Kadena) - Forward ... earned "Golden Boot" award for leading entire Far East Pacific League in Japan in scoring as a junior ... named most valuable player of the Far East Pacific tournament.
Nash on LaGrave: "In today's recruiting it is very rare when you can find someone who `falls through the cracks' and I feel this is the case with Nathan, who came through our summer camp. He is a big, powerful forward with a great understanding of the offensive third of the field. He has the ability to make an immediate impact on our team and in the Patriot League."
Alex Meisel (Newton, Conn./Newton) - Midfielder ... captain of high school team ... led squad to LL state title in 2004 ... two-time all-conference selection ... member of FC Westchester club team.
Nash on Meisel: "Alex is what we call our type of soccer player. He has a solid all-around game and it is difficult to pick out specific strengths or weaknesses when watching him play. He just consistently goes out and gets the job done. His style fits perfectly with the way we ask midfielders to play."
Conor O'Brien (Mt. Sinai, N.Y./St. Anthony's) - Midfielder ... captain of high school team that won its first-ever state championship in 2005 ... two-time All-Long Island selection ... named most valuable player of the 2004 Tampa Bay Sun Bowl while playing club soccer with the Long Island Rough Riders ... has played for Eastern New York ODP squad ... recently named to Super Y League National ODP Camp.
Nash on O'Brien: "Conor is an extremely versatile player who has received most of his recognition as a center midfielder, but can play any position on the field. He has always competed and excelled at the highest level in high school and club soccer. Conor's competitiveness, to go along with his soccer ability, is going to be a great addition to our program."
Patrick Selwood (Darnestown, Md./The Heights School) - Defender ... two-year captain and most valuable player of high school team ... earned recognition as an all-met team choice ... has played for Maryland ODP team ... plays club soccer for FC Delco Delco Crunch, the defending state champions.
Nash on Selwood: "I think Pat is one of the toughest defenders on the East Coast. Through ODP and club, he has always had to defend against the top forwards in the country. He has been very successful defending any forward he has encountered. Pat also brings an extremely competitive side, which will continue to elevate our training environment."
