Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell Men's Soccer Welcomes Promising Recruiting Class
2/25/2009 7:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Feb. 25, 2009
LEWISBURG, Pa. - Bucknell head men's soccer coach Brendan Nash has unveiled a nine-member recruiting class that is loaded with all-state student-athletes and contains a distinctive international flavor. The Class of 2013 encompasses players from every field position, representing seven states and countries.
Joining the Bison this fall will be forward Brendan Burgdorf of Westfield, N.J., defender Vincent Cinotti of Sparta, N.J., defender Collin Costello of Bethlehem, Pa., midfielder/defender Ryan Foreman of Wilmette, Ill., midfielder Ariel Hughes of Brandon, Fla., defender Jermaine Jarrett of Kingston, Jamaica, Albert "CK" Kumah of Accra, Ghana, Charlie Pirc of Airmont, N.Y., and Josh Plump of Millburn, N.J.
"After a season in which we were disappointed to miss out on the postseason, our goal was to bring in a recruiting class with the potential to make an immediate impact," said Nash. "This is a very impressive group of student-athletes. All have had great high school careers, however we have stressed to each of them that all of their skill and athleticism is not going to be enough. The guys that work the hardest and want it the most are the ones who will help us over the next four years. There is an incredible amount of potential in this recruiting class. We just have to see who is willing to make the investment to help get us back into the Patriot League championship picture."
| BRENDAN BURGDORF Forward # Westfield, N.J. # The Pingry School Burgdorf was a first team all-state and NSCAA Regional All-American at The Pingry School in Martinsville, N.J. He helped his team capture state championships in both 2006 and 2008, with last year's team finishing 19-0-1 with a final national ranking of No. 11. Pingry was 37-1-1 over the last two seasons, the winningest team in the state. Burgdorf, who had 20 goals and 15 assists in 2008, was the Somerset County Player of the Year and was also named the Courier News Player of the Year. He also played for the Match Fit Chelsea U18 Academy Team. "Brendan has a very good understanding of the game," said Nash. "He has speed, size and strength, plus good touch and vision. He was the main reason his high school team finished No. 1 in the state of New Jersey. We expect him to bring that winning mentality to Bucknell." |
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| VINCENT CINOTTI Defender # Sparta, N.J. # Sparta High School Cinotti was a third team all-state honoree at Sparta H.S. last season. He was the New Jersey Herald and Muggs Media Player of the Year, and was a two-time team captain and two-time team MVP for a team that won four straight league titles. Cinotti played his club soccer for Parsippany United. "Vincent is the type of defender that we are always looking to recruit," Nash commented. "He is a smart player but also a very tough defender. His intensity level is going to add a lot to our program." |
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| COLLIN COSTELLO Defender # Bethlehem, Pa. # Freedom High School Costello captained the Freedom High squad last season and earned first team all-area recognition from both the Morning Call and Express Times. A member of the Super-Y Reading Rage club, he was part of the 2008 90/91 national ODP pool and was named to the Super-Y Finals All-Tournament Team. In 2005 he was part of the EPYSA ODP team. "Collin came through our summer camp system," said Nash. "He is a big, strong central defender who makes smart decisions. We will also be able to use his strength in the air both offensively and defensively." |
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| RYAN FOREMAN Midfielder/Defender # Wilmette, Ill. # New Trier High School Foreman captained the No. 1-ranked team in the state of Illinois and the No. 3-ranked team in the nation last season. He helped New Trier to 63 wins in the last three years and state titles in both 2006 and 2008. Last season he was named to the Chicago Sun Times All-Area Team after scoring 18 goals and 10 assists for a 19-1-1 team. Foreman played club soccer for the Chicago Fire U18 Academy Team and was a member of the Illinois ODP Team from 2003-07. He was on the ODP Region II Team from 2003-06 and was in the national pool in 2003. "Ryan brings the work rate and intensity we are looking to bring into the program," Nash said. "He has played various positions for his high school, club and ODP teams. He has also been a leader for every team on which he has played." |
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| ARIEL HUGHES Right Midfielder # Brandon, Fla. # St. Stephen's Episcopal School Hughes was a member of Panama's U20 National Team Pool and played with the Florida ODP Team from 2003-07. He was also a member of the IMG U18 Academy Team. "Ariel is going to bring a new dynamic to our flank play," Nash predicted. "He is a very technical attacking player with great speed. He is also a tireless worker who knows what is necessary on the defensive end. His time training with the Panamanian National Team should have him well-prepared for Division I college soccer." |
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| JERMAINE JARRETT Defender # Kingston, Jamaica # The Hotchkiss School (Conn.) Jarrett was the captain of the Jamaican U15 and U16 National Teams, and also played on the U17 and U20 National Teams. He came to the United States to attend high school at The Hotchkiss School in Lakeville, Conn., where he became an all-state and All-New England player. As team captain, Jarrett helped Hotchkiss to the 2008 New England Prep School title. He also played for the Rye Rovers club team. "We expect Jermaine to make an immediate impact on our defense," said Nash. "He possesses outstanding speed and athleticism, so he could play any of the four back positions for us. Moving through the Jamaican National Team system, he has constantly had to raise his level of play to be successful. We expect it to be no different at the Division I level." |
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| CK KUMAH Left Midfield # Accra, Ghana # The Hotchkiss School (Conn.) A teammate of Jarrett's at Hotchkiss and a native of Ghana, Kumah is a product of the Right to Dream Academy, an organization that helps talented, underprivileged African children play sport, obtain a first class education and develop key lifeskills to help them to achieve a better quality of life. Kumah earned all-state honors in both 2006 and 2007 and was an All-New England pick. He served as co-captain along with Jarrett on the 2008 New England Prep School champions. He also played club soccer with the Rye Rovers. "CK is truly a gifted attacking player," Nash lauded. "We feel he will be one of the most athletic players in the Patriot League, but more importantly he is great with the ball at his feet and can attack with speed. He will bring an unpredictable element to our attack, which has been missing." |
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| CHARLIE PIRC Left Midfield # Airmont, N.Y. # Suffern High School Pirc was the Rockland County Player of the Year and the Journal News Player of the Year this past fall after he captained Suffern High to a 10-win season. An all-state selection, Pirc was picked for the ODP Region I Team in 2007 and played on the New York ODP squad in 2006 and 2007. He played club soccer for the FC Westchester U18 Academy Team. "Charlie is our type of player," said Nash. "He gives 100 percent on a daily basis and can play many positions. Regardless of the position, he will play it intelligently and with intensity. His competitiveness will help elevate our program in games, and more importantly, during training." |
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| JOSH PLUMP Forward # Millburn, N.J. # Millburn High School One of the most decorated players to enter the Bucknell program in quite some time, Plump was an ESPN RISE Magazine Honorable Mention All-American, an NSCAA High School Boys Regional All-American and the Star Ledger New Jersey Player of the Year in 2008. Plump also earned first team all-state and Essex County Player of the Year honors after leading Millburn High to the New Jersey Group 3 state championship this past fall. The team finished the year 23-2 and ranked No. 3 in the state, helped greatly by Plump's 27 goals and eight assists. Plump also played club soccer for the Match Fit Chelsea U18 Academy Team along with fellow Bison recruit Brendan Burgdorf. "We have watched Josh score many big goals for his team during his high school career," said Nash. "He is one of the fastest forwards in the country at the high school level. Josh's biggest challenge is going to be to find out how to use his speed against college defenders who will also be much faster than what he faced in high school. Once he does this, he has the potential to score many goals for us." |
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