Photo by: Lianne Garrahan
Men’s Soccer Welcomes Nine Newcomers in 2023
6/12/2023 2:26:00 PM | Men's Soccer
LEWISBURG, Pa. – As Bucknell head men's soccer coach Dave Brandt enters his second season at the helm, his retooling of the roster continues with the addition of nine first-year players who will join the squad this fall.
Brandt brought in 12 newcomers last season, including a couple of transfers, meaning the Bison will field a relatively young but talented side on the heels of a strong finish to the 2022 campaign.
Below is a closer look at Bucknell's nine 2023 newcomers:
Rex Alphen Personal/Before Bucknell: Born Nov. 30, 2004 in Richmond, Va. … parents are Lisa and Glenn Alphen … has two siblings, Maggie and Liles … mother competed on the track and field team at Richmond … aunt Leslie played soccer at Rhode Island and has cousins who played women's water polo at Villanova and women's rowing at Michigan … 2023 graduate of St. Christopher's School in Richmond … lettered four times in soccer and once in basketball … captained the soccer squad and was a First Team All-State selection … also Richmond Times Dispatch All-Metro and two-time All-Virginia Prep League … MVP of the Eastern Mennonite Classic … led team to a 16-1-4 record, a state championship, and a No. 20 national ranking by United Soccer Coaches in 2022 … team also reached the state final in 2019 and semifinals in 2021 … 2020 season was canceled due to COVID, but in the other three his teams combined for a 43-8-10 record … played club soccer with the Richmond Kickers … allowed only three goals in the fall and winter season on the way to a 13-2-2 record … did not concede a goal in the state tournament.
Dave Brandt on Rex Alphen: "Rex is a 6'4" goalkeeper with great size and shot-stopping ability, and he is capable of impacting right away. He will be a welcome addition to a Bucknell goalkeeping core that has been thinned by injury over the past 12-14 months."
Sean Boyle Personal/Before Bucknell: Born June 22, 2005 in Philadelphia … parents are Marianne and Danny Boyle … has two older siblings, Niamh and Caelan … father is from Donegal, Ireland … has played Gaelic football in addition to soccer … earned four varsity letters in soccer at Haverford High School … captained the team as a senior and earned All-State and Delaware County Player of the Year honors … broke the school record for goals in a season (20) in 2021 on the way to being named Daily Times Player of the Year … two-time First Team All-Central League, First Team All-Main Line, All-Delaware County … played club soccer for Penn Fusion ECNL … team was playoff group winners in 2022.
Dave Brandt on Sean Boyle: "Sean is a 6'4" central defender out of Philly ECNL club Penn Fusion. Very comfortable on the ball and excellent in the air, Sean is a commanding presence physically and an excellent passer out of the back."
Jack Heintz Personal/Before Bucknell: Born May 6, 2005 in Los Angeles … son of Diane and Jon Heintz … has two younger sisters, Lily and Abby … 2023 graduate of Chevy Chase High School in Bethesda, Md. … spent two years with DC United Academy and five with Baltimore Armour, where his coach was Bucknell Athletics Hall-of-Famer Mike Lookingland … played in Generations Adidas Cup … invited to U14 National Team camp.
Dave Brandt on Jack Heintz: "Jack is a versatile defender who is comfortable at either wing back or center back. He is excellent technically and a tough and tenacious defender who comes to us with a high level of experience, having played at the MLS NEXT level a year ago for DC United, and then through his senior year with Baltimore Armour under Bucknell soccer alum Mike Lookingland."
Francisco "Kiko" Hidalgo Personal/Before Bucknell: Born Apr. 16, 2005 in Bethesda, Md. … parents are Ellisa and Manny Hidalgo … has three older siblings, Ellie, Ian, and Sofia … 2023 graduate of Montgomery Blair High School in Silver Spring, Md., where he captained the soccer team and earned All-State and Washington Post All-Metro honors in 2022, one year removed from an ACL injury … recorded nine goals and 10 assists while leading the team to a 13-1-2 record and a berth in the state semifinals, which was the school's deepest run in more than 20 years … played club soccer for Potomac Soccer Association and Washington Capital United, which were both ranked No. 1 nationally … PSA won three straight EDP South Atlantic titles and was a state finalist … WCU squad was a state finalist, EDP South Atlantic winner, and USYS regional finalist.
Dave Brandt on Kiko Hidalgo: "Kiko Hidalgo is a central midfield player from National League team Potomac 05, who in our opinion flew under the radar because of a junior year injury. Highly decorated in the DC area this past fall as a result of his high school soccer success, Kiko is a well-rounded CMF player with an extremely high soccer IQ."
David Krumov Personal/Before Bucknell: Born Feb. 14, 2005 … son of Denitsa Krumova and Krum Krumov … has an older sibling, Kelly … first-generation Bulgarian … 2023 graduate of Lebanon Trail High School in Frisco, Texas … played high school soccer as a freshman and then with Solar Academy club the rest of the way … GA Cup and Dallas Cup super group.
Dave Brandt on David Krumov: "David is an attacking midfielder from Dallas MLS NEXT club Solar who can also play in the front three. David is very experienced, very two-footed, very intelligent, and has been a key player for a very successful Solar team over the past several years."
Mason Lillis Personal/Before Bucknell: Born June 24, 2005 in Reading, Pa. … parents are Jaime and Lance Lillis … has an older brother, Logan … played soccer and baseball at Tulpehocken High School in Bernville, Pa. … two-year captain of the soccer team … 2022 All-State selection and Berks County Player of the Year … two-time all-county … led 2022 squad to a 24-2 record and county and district titles … recorded 64 goals and 25 assists in his career, with 39 of the goals coming during his senior campaign … played club soccer for FC Revolution.
Dave Brandt on Mason Lillis: "Mason is another player we feel flew under the radar by virtue of his area and club team. A natural center forward, Mason excelled for Reading club FC Revolution and brings size, technical ability, and a knack for goal, as well as a natural work rate and the ability to cover ground."
Jack Lucas Personal/Before Bucknell: Born Aug. 29, 2004 in Merriam, Kan. … parents are Jean and Andy Lucas … has a younger sister, Kate … 2023 graduate of Shawnee Mission East High School in Prairie Village, Kan … captained the soccer team as a senior and was named 6A First Team All-State, First Team All-Sunflower League, and All-Metro in both 2021 and 2022 … team MVP as a junior … helped team to a 13-3-3 record and regional and KAMO championships in 2022 … recorded nine goals and 12 assists as a senior and seven goals and three assists as a junior … also played high-level club soccer for Sporting Kansas City MLS Academy and KCSG ECNL … club was Heartland Conference champions in 2022 and 2023 … First Team All-Heartland in 2022 after recording 20 goals and 18 assists … represented the US Youth Futsal National Team in Costa Rica and Montreal in 2017 … part of a youth team that played in France in 2015.
Dave Brandt on Jack Lucas: "Jack is a skillful attacking winger from Kansas City who has good size, good speed, and is very dangerous on the dribble and in combination with teammates in the attack. He can play wide of course, but is also very comfortable playing in the pocket inside."
Kasper Piela Personal/Before Bucknell: Born Sept. 29, 2005 in Passaic, N.J. … son of Aneta and Jan Piela … 2023 graduate of Fair Lawn High School … played club soccer at TSF Academy of MLS NEXT.
Dave Brandt on Kasper Piela: "Kasper is a physical, tough central midfield player who has been the glue and best player on his TSF MLS Next team over the past two seasons. He is left-footed, and most naturally an attacking CMF player but can play anywhere in the midfield, as well as up top and wide."
Jakub Samelko Personal/Before Bucknell: Born Feb. 3, 2005 in Philadelphia … son of Boguslawa and Tadeusz Samelko … has three older siblings: David, Sylvia, and Kamilia … father was a professional karate fighter and cousin Cezary was a pro boxer … has three other cousins who played college football … 2023 graduate of Cherry Hill High School East … played high school soccer as a freshman and sophomore and was team MVP in his second year … played club soccer with Cherry Hill FC from 2014-18 and then with Real Jersey FC of MLS NEXT from 2018-23 played in MLS NEXT All-Star Game.
Dave Brandt on Jakub Samelko: "Jakub is an attacking player with great size, pace, and presence, as well as a high level of experience with MLS NEXT side Real Jersey FC, as he has been one of their key attacking players over the past two seasons. Jakub can play anywhere in the front three and is dangerous anywhere in and around the penalty area."
Brandt brought in 12 newcomers last season, including a couple of transfers, meaning the Bison will field a relatively young but talented side on the heels of a strong finish to the 2022 campaign.
Below is a closer look at Bucknell's nine 2023 newcomers:
Rex Alphen Personal/Before Bucknell: Born Nov. 30, 2004 in Richmond, Va. … parents are Lisa and Glenn Alphen … has two siblings, Maggie and Liles … mother competed on the track and field team at Richmond … aunt Leslie played soccer at Rhode Island and has cousins who played women's water polo at Villanova and women's rowing at Michigan … 2023 graduate of St. Christopher's School in Richmond … lettered four times in soccer and once in basketball … captained the soccer squad and was a First Team All-State selection … also Richmond Times Dispatch All-Metro and two-time All-Virginia Prep League … MVP of the Eastern Mennonite Classic … led team to a 16-1-4 record, a state championship, and a No. 20 national ranking by United Soccer Coaches in 2022 … team also reached the state final in 2019 and semifinals in 2021 … 2020 season was canceled due to COVID, but in the other three his teams combined for a 43-8-10 record … played club soccer with the Richmond Kickers … allowed only three goals in the fall and winter season on the way to a 13-2-2 record … did not concede a goal in the state tournament.
Dave Brandt on Rex Alphen: "Rex is a 6'4" goalkeeper with great size and shot-stopping ability, and he is capable of impacting right away. He will be a welcome addition to a Bucknell goalkeeping core that has been thinned by injury over the past 12-14 months."
Sean Boyle Personal/Before Bucknell: Born June 22, 2005 in Philadelphia … parents are Marianne and Danny Boyle … has two older siblings, Niamh and Caelan … father is from Donegal, Ireland … has played Gaelic football in addition to soccer … earned four varsity letters in soccer at Haverford High School … captained the team as a senior and earned All-State and Delaware County Player of the Year honors … broke the school record for goals in a season (20) in 2021 on the way to being named Daily Times Player of the Year … two-time First Team All-Central League, First Team All-Main Line, All-Delaware County … played club soccer for Penn Fusion ECNL … team was playoff group winners in 2022.
Dave Brandt on Sean Boyle: "Sean is a 6'4" central defender out of Philly ECNL club Penn Fusion. Very comfortable on the ball and excellent in the air, Sean is a commanding presence physically and an excellent passer out of the back."
Jack Heintz Personal/Before Bucknell: Born May 6, 2005 in Los Angeles … son of Diane and Jon Heintz … has two younger sisters, Lily and Abby … 2023 graduate of Chevy Chase High School in Bethesda, Md. … spent two years with DC United Academy and five with Baltimore Armour, where his coach was Bucknell Athletics Hall-of-Famer Mike Lookingland … played in Generations Adidas Cup … invited to U14 National Team camp.
Dave Brandt on Jack Heintz: "Jack is a versatile defender who is comfortable at either wing back or center back. He is excellent technically and a tough and tenacious defender who comes to us with a high level of experience, having played at the MLS NEXT level a year ago for DC United, and then through his senior year with Baltimore Armour under Bucknell soccer alum Mike Lookingland."
Francisco "Kiko" Hidalgo Personal/Before Bucknell: Born Apr. 16, 2005 in Bethesda, Md. … parents are Ellisa and Manny Hidalgo … has three older siblings, Ellie, Ian, and Sofia … 2023 graduate of Montgomery Blair High School in Silver Spring, Md., where he captained the soccer team and earned All-State and Washington Post All-Metro honors in 2022, one year removed from an ACL injury … recorded nine goals and 10 assists while leading the team to a 13-1-2 record and a berth in the state semifinals, which was the school's deepest run in more than 20 years … played club soccer for Potomac Soccer Association and Washington Capital United, which were both ranked No. 1 nationally … PSA won three straight EDP South Atlantic titles and was a state finalist … WCU squad was a state finalist, EDP South Atlantic winner, and USYS regional finalist.
Dave Brandt on Kiko Hidalgo: "Kiko Hidalgo is a central midfield player from National League team Potomac 05, who in our opinion flew under the radar because of a junior year injury. Highly decorated in the DC area this past fall as a result of his high school soccer success, Kiko is a well-rounded CMF player with an extremely high soccer IQ."
David Krumov Personal/Before Bucknell: Born Feb. 14, 2005 … son of Denitsa Krumova and Krum Krumov … has an older sibling, Kelly … first-generation Bulgarian … 2023 graduate of Lebanon Trail High School in Frisco, Texas … played high school soccer as a freshman and then with Solar Academy club the rest of the way … GA Cup and Dallas Cup super group.
Dave Brandt on David Krumov: "David is an attacking midfielder from Dallas MLS NEXT club Solar who can also play in the front three. David is very experienced, very two-footed, very intelligent, and has been a key player for a very successful Solar team over the past several years."
Mason Lillis Personal/Before Bucknell: Born June 24, 2005 in Reading, Pa. … parents are Jaime and Lance Lillis … has an older brother, Logan … played soccer and baseball at Tulpehocken High School in Bernville, Pa. … two-year captain of the soccer team … 2022 All-State selection and Berks County Player of the Year … two-time all-county … led 2022 squad to a 24-2 record and county and district titles … recorded 64 goals and 25 assists in his career, with 39 of the goals coming during his senior campaign … played club soccer for FC Revolution.
Dave Brandt on Mason Lillis: "Mason is another player we feel flew under the radar by virtue of his area and club team. A natural center forward, Mason excelled for Reading club FC Revolution and brings size, technical ability, and a knack for goal, as well as a natural work rate and the ability to cover ground."
Jack Lucas Personal/Before Bucknell: Born Aug. 29, 2004 in Merriam, Kan. … parents are Jean and Andy Lucas … has a younger sister, Kate … 2023 graduate of Shawnee Mission East High School in Prairie Village, Kan … captained the soccer team as a senior and was named 6A First Team All-State, First Team All-Sunflower League, and All-Metro in both 2021 and 2022 … team MVP as a junior … helped team to a 13-3-3 record and regional and KAMO championships in 2022 … recorded nine goals and 12 assists as a senior and seven goals and three assists as a junior … also played high-level club soccer for Sporting Kansas City MLS Academy and KCSG ECNL … club was Heartland Conference champions in 2022 and 2023 … First Team All-Heartland in 2022 after recording 20 goals and 18 assists … represented the US Youth Futsal National Team in Costa Rica and Montreal in 2017 … part of a youth team that played in France in 2015.
Dave Brandt on Jack Lucas: "Jack is a skillful attacking winger from Kansas City who has good size, good speed, and is very dangerous on the dribble and in combination with teammates in the attack. He can play wide of course, but is also very comfortable playing in the pocket inside."
Kasper Piela Personal/Before Bucknell: Born Sept. 29, 2005 in Passaic, N.J. … son of Aneta and Jan Piela … 2023 graduate of Fair Lawn High School … played club soccer at TSF Academy of MLS NEXT.
Dave Brandt on Kasper Piela: "Kasper is a physical, tough central midfield player who has been the glue and best player on his TSF MLS Next team over the past two seasons. He is left-footed, and most naturally an attacking CMF player but can play anywhere in the midfield, as well as up top and wide."
Jakub Samelko Personal/Before Bucknell: Born Feb. 3, 2005 in Philadelphia … son of Boguslawa and Tadeusz Samelko … has three older siblings: David, Sylvia, and Kamilia … father was a professional karate fighter and cousin Cezary was a pro boxer … has three other cousins who played college football … 2023 graduate of Cherry Hill High School East … played high school soccer as a freshman and sophomore and was team MVP in his second year … played club soccer with Cherry Hill FC from 2014-18 and then with Real Jersey FC of MLS NEXT from 2018-23 played in MLS NEXT All-Star Game.
Dave Brandt on Jakub Samelko: "Jakub is an attacking player with great size, pace, and presence, as well as a high level of experience with MLS NEXT side Real Jersey FC, as he has been one of their key attacking players over the past two seasons. Jakub can play anywhere in the front three and is dangerous anywhere in and around the penalty area."
Players Mentioned
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