Men's Soccer Announces Incoming Class
4/10/2019 12:48:00 PM | Men's Soccer
LEWISBURG, Pa. – Bucknell Head Coach Brendan Nash has announced the addition of nine new recruits to the men's soccer program class of 2023.
"Our staff could not be more pleased with this recruiting class," said Nash. "We targeted a goaltender and a forward, which we accomplished. After that, we looked to round out the rest of the class with quality student-athletes who impressed us with their overall character and soccer ability. We feel we are adding nine individuals who will be able to bring the Orange and Blue back into the playoffs, as well as compete for future Patriot League championships. The staff feels we have a few incoming freshmen who should be able to compete for playing time immediately. Regardless, we feel the future of the program is in good hands after this group become upperclassmen at Bucknell University."
- Charlie Cubbage (William H. Hall High, FSA FC ECNL '01) (CT)
- Zachary Hurchalla (Malvern Preparatory School, Penn Fusion ECNL 00-01) (PA)
- Chris Masur (Montclair HS, Match Fit Academy ECNL) (NJ)
- Eduard Perez-Pelaez (Fordham Prep HS, Manhattan Soccer Club '01 Emelec) (NY)
- Jameson Railey (Lancaster HS, Empire United DA) (NY)
- Luke Smith (Conestoga HS, Lower Merion SC) (PA)
- Mohamed Tall (Kent School, Black Rock FC Elite) (CT)
- Ethan Thomas (East Syracuse Minoa Central HS, Empire United DA) (NY)
- Micah Umeh (Taft School, Black Rock FC Elite) (CT)
"Our staff could not be more pleased with this recruiting class," said Nash. "We targeted a goaltender and a forward, which we accomplished. After that, we looked to round out the rest of the class with quality student-athletes who impressed us with their overall character and soccer ability. We feel we are adding nine individuals who will be able to bring the Orange and Blue back into the playoffs, as well as compete for future Patriot League championships. The staff feels we have a few incoming freshmen who should be able to compete for playing time immediately. Regardless, we feel the future of the program is in good hands after this group become upperclassmen at Bucknell University."
Charlie Cubbage (William H. Hall High, FSA FC ECNL '01) (Connecticut)– Member of the Region I ODP Team. Captained Hall High School to 2018 CIAC Class LL State Championship game (18-2-1 record). Selected for the CT Senior Bowl.
Nash on Cubbage – "Charlie made the Bison Elite Soccer Camp Best XI the last two summers. This was due to his versatility and work rate. Charlie has a good soccer brain and can add to our depth in a few different spots. He has the typical industrious personality we look for in recruits. With his attitude and ability to play multiple positions he is a nice addition."
Chris Masur (Montclair HS, Match Fit Academy ECNL) (New Jersey) – Named Third Team All State. Captain of high school team that won Essex County championship and finished 24-1, ranked #6 in NJ. Bison Elite Soccer Camp MVP in 2018.
Nash on Masur– "Chris attended our summer camp. It was evident from day one that he was the type of attacking player we need. Add this to his soccer brain and work rate and we felt he was going to be an impact player. He followed this up with an outstanding senior season and we look forward to seeing what he can do come August to boost our midfield."
Eduard Perez-Pelaez (Fordham Prep HS, Manhattan Soccer Club '01 Emelec) (New York)– Eddie was captain of his Fordham Prep team junior and senior year. Senior year was named Team MVP.
Nash on Perez-Pelaez– "Eddie brings a different attacking dynamic that we have not had in some time. He has the size and strength to win ball in the air and hold off defenders. However, his strongest trait is his unpredictable play on the attack. We are not sure if Eddie will fit in best as a forward or an attacking midfielder. However, we know he will add to our offensive game plan as he have watched him score many highlight reel goals with his club team."
Jameson Railey (Lancaster HS, Empire United DA) (New York)– Member of the Empire United Soccer Academy for the past 10 years. Captain for the last two. Has been named a top performer during many showcases by Top Drawer Soccer.
Nash on Railey – "Jameson was named Bison Soccer Camp MVP in 2017. He was our #1 recruit for that year but decided to do a gap year. His is a strong center midfielder with an excellent left foot. Due to his maturity we expect him to compete for playing time right away."
Mohamed Tall (Kent School, Black Rock FC Elite) (Connecticut) – Born in Burkina Faso he was selected to the Right to Dream Academy at 11 years old. Captain of high school team his junior and senior year. Named a WNEPPSA All Star and WNEPPSA Select Team.
Nash on Tall– "Mo is a dynamic winger. He reminds us a lot of our first Right to Dream graduate CK Kumah, except right footed."
Micah Umeh (Taft School, Black Rock FC Elite) (Connecticut) – Micah was a captain for his Taft and Black Rock teams. His senior year he was named All New England Soccer Journal Second Team. His Taft team were WNEPSSA Class A Runner Up in 2016 and 2018.
Nash on Umeh– "Micah has come a long way the last two years. He has worked hard on his game and his fitness. He is a big strong center back. At 6'2" 190 lbs he reminds us of Mayowa Alli at the same age. Hopefully, he will improve the same way Mayowa did during his career."
Nash on Cubbage – "Charlie made the Bison Elite Soccer Camp Best XI the last two summers. This was due to his versatility and work rate. Charlie has a good soccer brain and can add to our depth in a few different spots. He has the typical industrious personality we look for in recruits. With his attitude and ability to play multiple positions he is a nice addition."
Zachary Hurchalla (Malvern Preparatory School, Penn Fusion ECNL 00-01) (Pennsylvania) – First Team All-Inter AC, All Main Line and All Area. Captain for both his high school and ECNL teams.
Nash on Hurchalla- "Zach is natural left sided player. His best spot is center back, but he could also fill on as a left back. During the recruiting process each time we checked our resources the report came back…any coach is going to love Zach for his attitude and ability. He is a strong athlete, good in the air and is very accurate with his left footed services. Reminds us of Tommy McCabe, who played with Coach Liberati for four years."
Nash on Hurchalla- "Zach is natural left sided player. His best spot is center back, but he could also fill on as a left back. During the recruiting process each time we checked our resources the report came back…any coach is going to love Zach for his attitude and ability. He is a strong athlete, good in the air and is very accurate with his left footed services. Reminds us of Tommy McCabe, who played with Coach Liberati for four years."
Chris Masur (Montclair HS, Match Fit Academy ECNL) (New Jersey) – Named Third Team All State. Captain of high school team that won Essex County championship and finished 24-1, ranked #6 in NJ. Bison Elite Soccer Camp MVP in 2018.
Nash on Masur– "Chris attended our summer camp. It was evident from day one that he was the type of attacking player we need. Add this to his soccer brain and work rate and we felt he was going to be an impact player. He followed this up with an outstanding senior season and we look forward to seeing what he can do come August to boost our midfield."
Eduard Perez-Pelaez (Fordham Prep HS, Manhattan Soccer Club '01 Emelec) (New York)– Eddie was captain of his Fordham Prep team junior and senior year. Senior year was named Team MVP.
Nash on Perez-Pelaez– "Eddie brings a different attacking dynamic that we have not had in some time. He has the size and strength to win ball in the air and hold off defenders. However, his strongest trait is his unpredictable play on the attack. We are not sure if Eddie will fit in best as a forward or an attacking midfielder. However, we know he will add to our offensive game plan as he have watched him score many highlight reel goals with his club team."
Jameson Railey (Lancaster HS, Empire United DA) (New York)– Member of the Empire United Soccer Academy for the past 10 years. Captain for the last two. Has been named a top performer during many showcases by Top Drawer Soccer.
Nash on Railey – "Jameson was named Bison Soccer Camp MVP in 2017. He was our #1 recruit for that year but decided to do a gap year. His is a strong center midfielder with an excellent left foot. Due to his maturity we expect him to compete for playing time right away."
Luke Smith (Conestoga HS, Lower Merion SC) (Pennsylvania) – Starting GK for Lower Merion SC. Named Daily Local News Player of the year and Central League Runner Up MVP after his senior season at Conestoga.
Nash on Smith– "With the graduation of Ryan Ott bringing in a goalkeeper was one of our primary areas to focus our recruiting. We feel we have a good one coming to us in Luke. He is a very quick shot stopper and does a great job communicating with his defense. With his brother being a GK in the Patriot League Luke is very familiar with what it will take to play at our level."
Nash on Smith– "With the graduation of Ryan Ott bringing in a goalkeeper was one of our primary areas to focus our recruiting. We feel we have a good one coming to us in Luke. He is a very quick shot stopper and does a great job communicating with his defense. With his brother being a GK in the Patriot League Luke is very familiar with what it will take to play at our level."
Mohamed Tall (Kent School, Black Rock FC Elite) (Connecticut) – Born in Burkina Faso he was selected to the Right to Dream Academy at 11 years old. Captain of high school team his junior and senior year. Named a WNEPPSA All Star and WNEPPSA Select Team.
Nash on Tall– "Mo is a dynamic winger. He reminds us a lot of our first Right to Dream graduate CK Kumah, except right footed."
Ethan Thomas (East Syracuse Minoa Central HS, Empire United DA) (New York) – Ranked the #135 recruit for the Class of 2019 in the country. Has played the last six years with Empire United Soccer Academy. Has served as team captain and been invited to four US soccer training sessions.
Nash on Thomas– "Ethan along with Jameson will continue our strong relationship with Empire. We feel he is a stereotypical Bucknell holding center mid and could do well in the #6 spot. He reads the game well and is a technical player just like a Nathan Hopfinger or Brian Ward."
Nash on Thomas– "Ethan along with Jameson will continue our strong relationship with Empire. We feel he is a stereotypical Bucknell holding center mid and could do well in the #6 spot. He reads the game well and is a technical player just like a Nathan Hopfinger or Brian Ward."
Micah Umeh (Taft School, Black Rock FC Elite) (Connecticut) – Micah was a captain for his Taft and Black Rock teams. His senior year he was named All New England Soccer Journal Second Team. His Taft team were WNEPSSA Class A Runner Up in 2016 and 2018.
Nash on Umeh– "Micah has come a long way the last two years. He has worked hard on his game and his fitness. He is a big strong center back. At 6'2" 190 lbs he reminds us of Mayowa Alli at the same age. Hopefully, he will improve the same way Mayowa did during his career."
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