Bucknell University Athletics
Men's Soccer Announces Six-Player Recruiting Class
6/20/2017 4:04:00 PM | Men's Soccer
LEWISBURG, Pa. – Bucknell men's soccer head coach Brendan Nash has announced a six-player recruiting class on Tuesday that will join the Bison starting in the 2017-18 season. The Bison recently graduated a very strong senior class, but the incoming group features talent that Nash feels will immediately solidify the team's depth.
“We are very pleased with our six-person recruiting class,” commented the three-time Patriot League Coach of the Year. “Coach Liberati and Klekota knew what we needed to replace for next year. They fit into the Bucknell student-athlete model very well. More importantly, we felt they would add to the high character we are always looking to have in our culture. We feel we have added some impact student-athletes as well as depth for the future.”
Here's a closer look at each recruit:
Bucknell Men's Soccer Incoming Recruiting Class
Stefan Gollisz (Garden City, N.Y./Chaminade)
Eamon O'Connor (Wilmington, Del./Charter School of Wilmington)
Aiden Perry (Brookline, Mass./Lawrence Academy)
Matt Thorsheim (Manalapan, N.J./Christian Brothers Academy)
Jokubas Uznys (Williamsburg, Va,/Walsingham Academy)
Trevor Wiggins (Annapolis, Md./Broadneck)
Stefan Gollisz | Garden City, N.Y. | Chaminade H.S. | BW Gottschee | Midfield/Defender
Before Bucknell: Played at Chaminade High School as a sophomore … recorded 13 goals and two assists … led team to the CHSAA Championship game … two- year member of Chaminade's track team … starter for BW Gottschee's U18 Academy … three-year captain for Albertson Academy prior to joining BW Gottschee… also played for New York Cosmo's Youth Academy … helped squad win the Jefferson Cup, Annadale Premier Cup and FC Delco Player's Cup … was a finalist at the Volkswagen Cup, Surf Cup and Manhattan Tournament … attended three United States Federation Market Training Centers
Personal: Stefan Gollisz … born September 17, 1999 … son of Gus and Ingrid Gollisz … has one sister, Renee.
Nash on Gollisz - “This is the third straight year we have someone from the BW Gottschee Academy. We know the coaches there have prepared him for our environment and style of play. Stefan is a versatile soccer player with a high IQ. Hopefully, we can find his best spot for the Bison in the immediate future.”
Eamon O'Connor | Wilmington, Del. | Charter School of Wilmington | Penn Fusion | Defender
Before Bucknell: Lettered in soccer and track and field at the Charter School of Wilmington … two- year team captain … high school team had an overall record of 53-1-13 with O'Connor … totaled 10 goals and 13 assists … two-time NSCAA Regional All-American … two-time First Team All-State … two-time XI All-State … selected to High School All-American game in 2016 … led team to a top-25 national ranking in 2015, guiding the squad to its most successful season, a berth in the state championship game … helped team to consecutive state semifinal appearances for the first time in school history … played club soccer for the Delaware Rush … helped team win the USYS Regional title and qualify for the USYS National Championship in 2014 … joined Penn Fusion the following season, winning the USYS Regional and National League titles.
Personal: Eamon O'Connor … born June 19, 1999 … son of Martin and Bonnie O'Connor … father, Martin, played soccer at King's College and rugby for the Wilkes-Barre Rugby Club … mother, Bonnie, played softball at King's College … has a twin brother, Pat.
Nash on O'Connor – “Eamon has attended our summer camp a few times over the years. While watching him, we kept thinking he would be a prefect fit into our team before self-culture. Eamon is a solid defender who reminds me of Collin Costello from years ago.”
Aiden Perry | Brookline, Mass. | Lawrence Academy | The Hill School | Goalkeeper
Before Bucknell: Four-year varsity starter at Lawrence Academy … earned all-league, all-state and NSCAA Regional All-American honors his senior season … led the team to consecutive league titles … allowed the fewest goals in the league as a sophomore … played a post graduate year at The Hill School … converted a penalty kick to help squad capture the PAISSA State Championship
Personal: Aiden Perry … born September 20, 1999 … son of George and Theresa Perry … has four siblings, Joseph, Mercedes, Nicole and Darcy.
Nash on Perry – “When looking at our roster, a goalkeeper was not a very high need for us. However, when watching Aiden play and his training habits, we felt like we needed to bring him into the program. He will push the other keepers each day to work harder as he looks to prepare to become our goalkeeper of the future.
Matt Thorsheim | Manalapan, N.J. | Christian Brothers Academy | Match Fit Academy | Midfield/Forward
Before Bucknell: Four-year varsity starter at Christian Brothers Academy … All-USA selection ... two-time NSCAA High School All-American … First-Team All-Region and All-State honoree … two-time Shore Conference Player of the Year … played in the High School All-American game, scoring on a free kick … led team to a Shore Conference A North Championship, Shore Conference Tournament Championship, Non- Public A North Championship and New Jersey State Championship in 2016 … posted career with 33 goals and 47 assists … played for the New York Red Bulls Academy before switching to Match Fit Academy in 2016.
Personal: Matt Thorsheim … born November 27, 1998 … son of Chris and Lori Thorsheim … brother, Chris Thorsheim '16, was a four-time All-Patriot League selection and key member of Bucknell's run to the Patriot League title in 2014.
Nash on Thorsheim – “Matt's resume is one of the more impressive ones we have ever recruited. However, he has stayed humble despite his success. Obviously we've had a long relationship with the Thorsheim family. Now it is Matt's turn to create his legacy as a Bison. He is another versatile player, but we feel he will help us most on the attack.”
Jokubas Uznys | Williamsburg, Va. | Walsingham Academy | Midfield/Forward
Before Bucknell: Played for FC Vilnius (2006-10) and FK Zalgiris (2012-16) … came to Walsingham Academy for his senior year … tallied six goals and five assists in six games before having his season cut short due to injury … came to the United States from Lithuania … named “The Best Player” in several youth soccer tournaments … played with the Lithuania U15 National Team in 2013.
Personal: Jokubas Uznys … born March 26, 1998 … son of Ilona Uzniene and Virmantas Uznys … has an older brother, Danielius.
Nash on Uznys – “Our staff feels we've found a real sleeper in Jokubas. Since coming to high school in the U.S. from Lithuania, Jokubas dealt with some injuries. Therefore, not many schools were aware of his talent. He is a special attacking player. We have big things expected once he makes the adjustments to the college game.”
Trevor Wiggins | Annapolis, Md. | Broadneck H.S. | ASA Premier | Midfield/Defender
Before Bucknell: Four-year varsity starter at Broadneck High School… team captain his senior season … led team in scoring from the center back and center defensive midfield positions ... named team MVP … First-Team All-State and All- County honoree … NSCAA Regional All-American … NSCAA Scholar All-American ... Washington Post All-Met selection … played for ASA Premier … helped squad win the Region 1 Tournament and EDP League title … led club team to a Potomac title and was a Maryland State Cup finalist … also played hockey, earning all-star honors his senior season.
Personal: Trevor Wiggins … born March 7, 1999 … son of Michael and Lenelle Wiggins … has an older sister, Amanda.
Nash on Wiggins - Trevor had a strong high school career, earning All-State honors. He brings a presence on the field with his size and ability in the air. We will have to see if he fits in best as a center midfielder or center back.”
