Bucknell University Athletics
Photo by: Lianne Garrahan
Men’s Soccer Introduces 11 Newcomers in 2024
7/17/2024 10:27:00 AM | Men's Soccer
LEWISBURG, Pa. – Bucknell head men's soccer coach Dave Brandt has announced the addition of 11 newcomers – seven first-year players and four transfers – to the 2024 squad. The additions cover every position on the field from goalkeeper up to center forward, as the Bison look to make a rapid ascent in the Patriot League standings this fall.
The freshman group includes goalkeeper Andrew Blodgett (Ridgewood, N.J.), winger/wing back Noah Handzel (Erie, Pa.), center midfielder Gianluca Marroni (Wilmington, Del.), wing back Matt McLeod (Orange, Conn.), center forward Drew Roskos (Delran, N.J.), defensive center midfielder Charlie Sorensen (Rochester, N.Y.), and center back Collin Sullivan (La Grange Park, Ill.), who is the younger brother of rising junior center back Jackson Sullivan.
The four transfers include center forward Winston Oziri (Northumbria University in England), defensive midfielder Jimmy Pombor (Lock Haven), and attacking midfielders Cohen Weaver (Penn State) and Cade Whitmire (Tulsa).
"While there is no doubt that every program in the country will be bringing in significant new talent this fall, we are very happy with our incoming group," said Brandt. "In sum, seven incoming freshmen and four transfers will be joining us, and we couldn't be more excited with the group's fit to our team, to our philosophy and style of soccer, and to Bucknell as an institution."
Below is a closer look at Bucknell's 11 2024 newcomers:
ANDREW BLODGETT
Freshman | Ridgewood, N.J. | Bergen Catholic H.S. | PDA | Goalkeeper
Andrew Blodgett Personal/Before Bucknell: Born June 16, 2006 in Ridgewood, N.J. … son of Jennifer and Paul Blodgett … 2024 graduate of Bergen Catholic H.S., where he played goalkeeper and led the soccer team to two straight division titles and an undefeated season (15-0-2) in 2023 … finished with a 0.96 goals-against average … named to the All-State Parochial Team … also All-Division and a BCBSCA All-Star.
Dave Brandt on Andrew Blodgett: "We found Andrew later in the process and were really grateful that in the end he was still available. Andrew is, in my opinion, just a really good all around goalkeeper. He is a very good shot-stopper, good feet, good in the air, good off his line. He's an excellent pick up for us and will serve to strengthen our overall ability and stability at a position where both of those things have been an issue for us in my two years here."
NOAH HANDZEL
Freshman | Erie, Pa. | Cathedral Preparatory H.S. | Cleveland Force ECNL | Winger/Wing Back
Noah Handzel Personal/Before Bucknell: Born July 5, 2009 in Manchester, N.H. ... son of Reanna and Stephen Handzel ... has a younger sister, Finleigh ... 2024 graduate of Cathedral Prep in Erie, where he was part of a soccer team that won the school's first-ever state title in 2024 along with four district championships ... team was the first from District 10 to win a state title ... recorded 90 goals and 64 assists in his high school career ... as a senior captain was named All-American, All-State, All-District, and regional player of the year ... Northeast Pennsylvania Player of the Year ... was also regional player of the year as a junior and district player of the year as a sophomore ... played club soccer for Cleveland Force ECNL and led the team in goals (12) and assists (14) ... also competed in cross country as a freshman and earned All-League honors.
Dave Brandt on Noah Handzel: "Noah is a tenacious winger/wing back from a very accomplished Cleveland Force ECNL team whose primary weapon is speed. He is a wide player with an attacking mindset who is very quick, very fast, hard-working, and willing to scrap, and all of those things are very positive traits in our playing vision."
GIANLUCA MARRONI
Freshman | Wilmington, Del. | Salesianum School | Sporting Athletic ECNL | Central Midfielder
Gianluca Marroni Personal/Before Bucknell: Born Aug. 5, 2006 in Rome, Italy … son of Marco Maroni and Elizabeth Kelley … has four younger siblings: Julian, Clara, Olimpia, and Tiago … father played soccer at Tufts … lived in Italy and Zimbabwe before moving to the United States at age 12 … 2024 graduate of Salesianum School in Wilmington, Del. … four-year member of the varsity soccer team, which captured three straight Delaware D1 state championships during his tenure … team captain as a senior … two-time All-State selection, including First Team as a senior … led team with 14 goals as a senior, the last three coming in a hat trick in the state championship final … was also an all-conference selection playing club soccer with Sporting Athletic Club ECNL.
Dave Brandt on Gianluca Marroni: "Gianluca is a highly skilled and highly experienced center midfield player who is capable of excelling in any midfield role-defensive, play-making, or attacking. He is a Sporting Delaware youth product whose soccer IQ and college ceiling are very high."
MATT McLEOD
Freshman | Orange, Conn. | Fairfield Prep | CFC United ECNL | Wing Back
Matt McLeod Personal/Before Bucknell: Born May 16, 2006 in Stamford, Conn. … son of Katya and Scott McLeod … father played football at Harvard … 2024 graduate of Fairfield Prep … three-year member of the varsity soccer team … captained the team and earned all-conference honors as a senior … in 2022 the team reached the conference finals and state semifinals … 45 combined goals and assists during his high school career … captained his club team, CFC United, which qualified for the ECNL national playoffs … also played six years of MLS Next for Beachside and New York Soccer Club … mother is from Ukraine, which gave him the opportunity to train with the Dynamo Kyiv Academy side.
Dave Brandt on Matt McLeod: "Matt is a player we were chasing for a long time in terms of our recruitment of him, and we are really excited to have committed him to Bucknell. A left-footed wing back, Matt is fast and skillful with good size as well, and really equal parts winger and wingback in terms of his skill set and mentality, which is perfect in our system and philosophy."
WINSTON OZIRI
Sophomore | Washington, D.C. | Northumbria University (England) | Jackson-Reed H.S. | Bethesda SC MLS Next | Center Forward
Winston Oziri Personal/Before Bucknell: Born Apr. 25, 2005 in Silver Spring, Md. … son of Patience Opara and Victor Onyeoziri … has three younger siblings: Beltran, Olivia, and Joseph … mother played for the Nigerian Women's National Team and competed in the 1999 FIFA Women's World Cup and the 2000 Sydney Olympics … she also played college soccer at Bethel University, was a First Team All-American and three-time conference MVP, and was inducted into the school's Hall of Fame in 2021 … 2023 graduate of Jackson-Reed H.S. in Washington, D.C. … participated with the i2i International Soccer Academy while attending Northumbia University in Newcastle upon Tyne, England for one year before coming to Bucknell … as a high schooler was First Team All-DC in the fall of 2022 … played club soccer for Bethesda SC MLS Next from the U13-19 levels and helped the club win a U18 Maryland State Championship.
Dave Brandt on Winston Oziri: "Winston was a big pickup for us, and we are very excited to have him at Bucknell. He is another guy who I believe was under the radar. He spent the last year at a university in Newcastle, England, so he comes in as a transfer. Winston can play wide or centrally as a center forward, and his three biggest weapons are intelligence, excellent movement off the ball, and speed."
JIMMY POMBOR
Junior | Williamsport, Pa. | Lock Haven University | Williamsport Area H.S. | North Union United SC | Defensive Midfielder
Jimmy Pombor Personal/Before Bucknell: Born Jan. 25, 2004 in State College, Pa. … son of Christiana Pombor … has two brothers, Tom and Kolachi, who both played soccer at Lock Haven … 2022 graduate of Williamsport Area H.S. … spent two seasons playing alongside his brothers at Lock Haven before transferring to Bucknell … appeared in 16 games with 15 starts for the Eagles in 2023 and recorded two goals and two assists … in high school earned four letters in soccer and one each in track and tennis … scored more than 50 goals in soccer and was a PSCA All-State selection and the Heartland Athletic Conference Player of the Year … also competed in track and field at Lock Haven and was an All-PSAC honoree in the 4x100 relay … played his club soccer locally for North Union United.
Dave Brandt on Jimmy Pombor: "We are thrilled to have Jimmy at Bucknell. He actually transferred in January, so he was able to train with us and play for us all spring. He is a wonderful player on the ball, quick and very technical, small but also tough in the tackle. He is a big addition for us and someone who will impact our midfield right away."
DREW ROSKOS
Freshman | Delran, N.J. | Delran H.S. | Real FC MLS Next | Center Forward
Drew Roskos Personal/Before Bucknell: Born Nov. 16, 2005 in Voorhees, N.J. … parents are Lauren and Doug Roskos … has two sisters, Kalli and Kamryn … father wrestled and played lightweight football at Princeton … mother played field hockey at Towson … sister Kalli competes in both soccer and wrestling at Ursinus … 2024 graduate of Delran High School, where he was a record-setting two-sport athlete in soccer and wrestling … scored 84 career goals, including a school-record 33 in a single season in 2021 … 22 of his goals came in 18 career playoff games … led his team to back-to-back state titles in 2021 and 2022 and a runner-up finish in 2023 … team captured three South Jersey sectional titles and three Liberty Division crowns … team went 53-13-6 during his career … three-time United Coaches Association High School All-American … two-time New Jersey State Player of the Year … two-time Gatorade Player of the Year nominee … three-time First Team All-State, United Coaches All-Region, and Souh Jersey Player of the Year … Soccer Coaches of New Jersey Sectional Player of the Year … three-time South Jersey Coaches Association Most Valuable Forward … finalist for New Jersey Male Athlete of the Year … two-year captain … represented the East Coast in the Senior All-American Game … in wrestling was a three-year team captain who set school records for wins (42) and pins (22) in a season … had the second-fastest pin in school history (seven seconds) and graduated No. 8 on the team's career wins list with 120 in three seasons … finished third in the state as a senior and seventh as a junior, wrestling in the 150-pound weight class … career record was 120-12 … two-time region and district champion … 2024 South Jersey Wrestler of the Year … also played club soccer for the Delran Gunners, Real FC, and Real FC MLS, where he was one of the team's top scorers.
Dave Brandt on Drew Roskos: "Drew is probably the most decorated player in the class, and maybe one of the more decorated players in terms of honors to come to our program in some time. He is a three-time High School All-American, which has to be extremely rare, and a super tough, super hard-working center forward with an excellent goal-scoring record for Delran H.S. and MLS Next club Real FC."
CHARLIE SORENSEN
Freshman | Rochester, N.Y. | Aquinas Institute | RNY FC | Defensive Center Midfielder
Charlie Sorenson Personal/Before Bucknell: Born March 1, 2006 in Rochester, N.Y. … son of Ginger and Jeff Sorensen … has two older siblings, Jack and Olivia … father played soccer at Oswego … 2024 graduate of Aquinas Institute of Rochester, where he earned three varsity letters in soccer and one each in track and field and golf … captained the soccer team, which captured the 2023 Class A state championship with a 20-0-1 record … that was the first Aquinas team in 17 years to win sectional and state titles … named to the Section V All-Tournament Team … played club soccer for RNY FC … part of Aquinas' first-ever section champion golf team, despite coming in with less than one year of experience in the sport.
Dave Brandt on Charlie Sorensen: "Charlie is a 6'2" and still growing versatile player positionally who I think in the end is going to prove to be one of those guys who slipped through the cracks from a recruiting standpoint. He has great size, he is very fluid and skillful, and he can play almost anywhere on the field. He played on a quality but under-the-radar club team, and he led his high school team to a state championship this past fall. Charlie is very good right now and will be even better by the time he steps onto campus in August."
COLLIN SULLIVAN
Freshman | La Grange Park, Ill. | Lyons Township | FC United | Center Back
Collin Sullivan Personal/Before Bucknell: Born July 13, 2005 in Chicago … parents are Theresa and Patrick Sullivan … older brother Jackson will be his teammate at Bucknell … also has two younger brothers, Gavin and Brendan … 2024 graduate of Lyons Township H.S., where he was an All-State and All-Section honoree … named West Suburban First Team All-State and Chicagoland First Team All-State … part of a team won three regional titles, a sectional and super sectional title, and reached the state semifinals … team's leading goal-scorer as a sophomore and later became the team's Defensive MVP … played club soccer for FC United.
Dave Brandt on Collin Sullivan: "We are very much looking forward to having two Sullivans in the team. Collin is his own man and own player, but both he and older brother Jackson, who will be a junior on the team next fall, are extremely athletic and competitive players. Collin will be an excellent addition to the Bison center back core."
COHEN WEAVER
Junior | Elizabethtown, Pa. | Penn State University | Elizabethtown Area H.S. | PA Classics MLS Next | Attacking Midfielder
Cohen Weaver Personal/Before Bucknell: Born Nov. 3, 2003 in Harrisburg, Pa. … parents are Stephanie and Christopher Weaver … has one brother, Aiden, who played soccer at Stanford … grandfather, Jim Weaver, pitched for the Cleveland Indians and California Angels … 2022 graduate of Elizabethtown Area High School … played soccer at Penn State for two seasons and was part of the Nittany Lions' 2023 Big Ten championship team with a 10-4-5 record … appeared in 10 games in 2022 and eight games in 2003 … spent 10 years playing club soccer for PA Classics of MLS Next.
Dave Brandt on Cohen Weaver: "Cohen arrives in Lewisburg as a rising junior transfer from Penn State and will immediately add much-needed experience and quality to the Bucknell attack. Similar to fellow transfer Cade Whitmire, Cohen is a quick, tough, attacking midfield player who will bring immediate high-level college experience to what has been a very young team the last two seasons."
CADE WHITMIRE
Sophomore | Keller, Texas | University of Tulsa | Keller H.S. | Solar SC MLS Next | Attacking Midfielder
Cade Whitmire Personal/Before Bucknell: Born March 17, 2004 in Fort Worth, Texas … parents are Christa and Casey Whitmire … has two siblings, Connick and Camille … both parents were athletes at Tulsa … father played soccer and mother ran track … 2022 graduate of Keller High School … attended University of Tulsa in 2023-24 where he was a member of the men's soccer team … played club soccer for the Solar Soccer Club for 10 years … was also a two-year letterwinner at Keller … led team to a 27-4 mark, a District 5-6A championship and a berth in the regional finals as a senior … tallied 30 goals and 32 assists at KHS … two-time District 5-6A Offensive Player of the Year … 2022 First Team All-Region and Second Team All-State … 2020 Second Team All-Region … two-time Academic All-State … also played football in high school … led his club team in goals at the U16 level and in assists at the U17-19 levels … spent a semester playing in Spain after graduating high school and before attending Tulsa.
Dave Brandt on Cade Whitmire: "Cade comes to Bucknell as a rising sophomore transfer from the University of Tulsa. A Solar club product, Cade is an attacking midfielder who is very quick, very physical, very tough physically and mentally, and was a standout player at Solar who should be able to contribute right away."
The freshman group includes goalkeeper Andrew Blodgett (Ridgewood, N.J.), winger/wing back Noah Handzel (Erie, Pa.), center midfielder Gianluca Marroni (Wilmington, Del.), wing back Matt McLeod (Orange, Conn.), center forward Drew Roskos (Delran, N.J.), defensive center midfielder Charlie Sorensen (Rochester, N.Y.), and center back Collin Sullivan (La Grange Park, Ill.), who is the younger brother of rising junior center back Jackson Sullivan.
The four transfers include center forward Winston Oziri (Northumbria University in England), defensive midfielder Jimmy Pombor (Lock Haven), and attacking midfielders Cohen Weaver (Penn State) and Cade Whitmire (Tulsa).
"While there is no doubt that every program in the country will be bringing in significant new talent this fall, we are very happy with our incoming group," said Brandt. "In sum, seven incoming freshmen and four transfers will be joining us, and we couldn't be more excited with the group's fit to our team, to our philosophy and style of soccer, and to Bucknell as an institution."
Below is a closer look at Bucknell's 11 2024 newcomers:
ANDREW BLODGETT
Freshman | Ridgewood, N.J. | Bergen Catholic H.S. | PDA | Goalkeeper
Andrew Blodgett Personal/Before Bucknell: Born June 16, 2006 in Ridgewood, N.J. … son of Jennifer and Paul Blodgett … 2024 graduate of Bergen Catholic H.S., where he played goalkeeper and led the soccer team to two straight division titles and an undefeated season (15-0-2) in 2023 … finished with a 0.96 goals-against average … named to the All-State Parochial Team … also All-Division and a BCBSCA All-Star.
Dave Brandt on Andrew Blodgett: "We found Andrew later in the process and were really grateful that in the end he was still available. Andrew is, in my opinion, just a really good all around goalkeeper. He is a very good shot-stopper, good feet, good in the air, good off his line. He's an excellent pick up for us and will serve to strengthen our overall ability and stability at a position where both of those things have been an issue for us in my two years here."
NOAH HANDZEL
Freshman | Erie, Pa. | Cathedral Preparatory H.S. | Cleveland Force ECNL | Winger/Wing Back
Noah Handzel Personal/Before Bucknell: Born July 5, 2009 in Manchester, N.H. ... son of Reanna and Stephen Handzel ... has a younger sister, Finleigh ... 2024 graduate of Cathedral Prep in Erie, where he was part of a soccer team that won the school's first-ever state title in 2024 along with four district championships ... team was the first from District 10 to win a state title ... recorded 90 goals and 64 assists in his high school career ... as a senior captain was named All-American, All-State, All-District, and regional player of the year ... Northeast Pennsylvania Player of the Year ... was also regional player of the year as a junior and district player of the year as a sophomore ... played club soccer for Cleveland Force ECNL and led the team in goals (12) and assists (14) ... also competed in cross country as a freshman and earned All-League honors.
Dave Brandt on Noah Handzel: "Noah is a tenacious winger/wing back from a very accomplished Cleveland Force ECNL team whose primary weapon is speed. He is a wide player with an attacking mindset who is very quick, very fast, hard-working, and willing to scrap, and all of those things are very positive traits in our playing vision."
GIANLUCA MARRONI
Freshman | Wilmington, Del. | Salesianum School | Sporting Athletic ECNL | Central Midfielder
Gianluca Marroni Personal/Before Bucknell: Born Aug. 5, 2006 in Rome, Italy … son of Marco Maroni and Elizabeth Kelley … has four younger siblings: Julian, Clara, Olimpia, and Tiago … father played soccer at Tufts … lived in Italy and Zimbabwe before moving to the United States at age 12 … 2024 graduate of Salesianum School in Wilmington, Del. … four-year member of the varsity soccer team, which captured three straight Delaware D1 state championships during his tenure … team captain as a senior … two-time All-State selection, including First Team as a senior … led team with 14 goals as a senior, the last three coming in a hat trick in the state championship final … was also an all-conference selection playing club soccer with Sporting Athletic Club ECNL.
Dave Brandt on Gianluca Marroni: "Gianluca is a highly skilled and highly experienced center midfield player who is capable of excelling in any midfield role-defensive, play-making, or attacking. He is a Sporting Delaware youth product whose soccer IQ and college ceiling are very high."
MATT McLEOD
Freshman | Orange, Conn. | Fairfield Prep | CFC United ECNL | Wing Back
Matt McLeod Personal/Before Bucknell: Born May 16, 2006 in Stamford, Conn. … son of Katya and Scott McLeod … father played football at Harvard … 2024 graduate of Fairfield Prep … three-year member of the varsity soccer team … captained the team and earned all-conference honors as a senior … in 2022 the team reached the conference finals and state semifinals … 45 combined goals and assists during his high school career … captained his club team, CFC United, which qualified for the ECNL national playoffs … also played six years of MLS Next for Beachside and New York Soccer Club … mother is from Ukraine, which gave him the opportunity to train with the Dynamo Kyiv Academy side.
Dave Brandt on Matt McLeod: "Matt is a player we were chasing for a long time in terms of our recruitment of him, and we are really excited to have committed him to Bucknell. A left-footed wing back, Matt is fast and skillful with good size as well, and really equal parts winger and wingback in terms of his skill set and mentality, which is perfect in our system and philosophy."
WINSTON OZIRI
Sophomore | Washington, D.C. | Northumbria University (England) | Jackson-Reed H.S. | Bethesda SC MLS Next | Center Forward
Winston Oziri Personal/Before Bucknell: Born Apr. 25, 2005 in Silver Spring, Md. … son of Patience Opara and Victor Onyeoziri … has three younger siblings: Beltran, Olivia, and Joseph … mother played for the Nigerian Women's National Team and competed in the 1999 FIFA Women's World Cup and the 2000 Sydney Olympics … she also played college soccer at Bethel University, was a First Team All-American and three-time conference MVP, and was inducted into the school's Hall of Fame in 2021 … 2023 graduate of Jackson-Reed H.S. in Washington, D.C. … participated with the i2i International Soccer Academy while attending Northumbia University in Newcastle upon Tyne, England for one year before coming to Bucknell … as a high schooler was First Team All-DC in the fall of 2022 … played club soccer for Bethesda SC MLS Next from the U13-19 levels and helped the club win a U18 Maryland State Championship.
Dave Brandt on Winston Oziri: "Winston was a big pickup for us, and we are very excited to have him at Bucknell. He is another guy who I believe was under the radar. He spent the last year at a university in Newcastle, England, so he comes in as a transfer. Winston can play wide or centrally as a center forward, and his three biggest weapons are intelligence, excellent movement off the ball, and speed."
JIMMY POMBOR
Junior | Williamsport, Pa. | Lock Haven University | Williamsport Area H.S. | North Union United SC | Defensive Midfielder
Jimmy Pombor Personal/Before Bucknell: Born Jan. 25, 2004 in State College, Pa. … son of Christiana Pombor … has two brothers, Tom and Kolachi, who both played soccer at Lock Haven … 2022 graduate of Williamsport Area H.S. … spent two seasons playing alongside his brothers at Lock Haven before transferring to Bucknell … appeared in 16 games with 15 starts for the Eagles in 2023 and recorded two goals and two assists … in high school earned four letters in soccer and one each in track and tennis … scored more than 50 goals in soccer and was a PSCA All-State selection and the Heartland Athletic Conference Player of the Year … also competed in track and field at Lock Haven and was an All-PSAC honoree in the 4x100 relay … played his club soccer locally for North Union United.
Dave Brandt on Jimmy Pombor: "We are thrilled to have Jimmy at Bucknell. He actually transferred in January, so he was able to train with us and play for us all spring. He is a wonderful player on the ball, quick and very technical, small but also tough in the tackle. He is a big addition for us and someone who will impact our midfield right away."
DREW ROSKOS
Freshman | Delran, N.J. | Delran H.S. | Real FC MLS Next | Center Forward
Drew Roskos Personal/Before Bucknell: Born Nov. 16, 2005 in Voorhees, N.J. … parents are Lauren and Doug Roskos … has two sisters, Kalli and Kamryn … father wrestled and played lightweight football at Princeton … mother played field hockey at Towson … sister Kalli competes in both soccer and wrestling at Ursinus … 2024 graduate of Delran High School, where he was a record-setting two-sport athlete in soccer and wrestling … scored 84 career goals, including a school-record 33 in a single season in 2021 … 22 of his goals came in 18 career playoff games … led his team to back-to-back state titles in 2021 and 2022 and a runner-up finish in 2023 … team captured three South Jersey sectional titles and three Liberty Division crowns … team went 53-13-6 during his career … three-time United Coaches Association High School All-American … two-time New Jersey State Player of the Year … two-time Gatorade Player of the Year nominee … three-time First Team All-State, United Coaches All-Region, and Souh Jersey Player of the Year … Soccer Coaches of New Jersey Sectional Player of the Year … three-time South Jersey Coaches Association Most Valuable Forward … finalist for New Jersey Male Athlete of the Year … two-year captain … represented the East Coast in the Senior All-American Game … in wrestling was a three-year team captain who set school records for wins (42) and pins (22) in a season … had the second-fastest pin in school history (seven seconds) and graduated No. 8 on the team's career wins list with 120 in three seasons … finished third in the state as a senior and seventh as a junior, wrestling in the 150-pound weight class … career record was 120-12 … two-time region and district champion … 2024 South Jersey Wrestler of the Year … also played club soccer for the Delran Gunners, Real FC, and Real FC MLS, where he was one of the team's top scorers.
Dave Brandt on Drew Roskos: "Drew is probably the most decorated player in the class, and maybe one of the more decorated players in terms of honors to come to our program in some time. He is a three-time High School All-American, which has to be extremely rare, and a super tough, super hard-working center forward with an excellent goal-scoring record for Delran H.S. and MLS Next club Real FC."
CHARLIE SORENSEN
Freshman | Rochester, N.Y. | Aquinas Institute | RNY FC | Defensive Center Midfielder
Charlie Sorenson Personal/Before Bucknell: Born March 1, 2006 in Rochester, N.Y. … son of Ginger and Jeff Sorensen … has two older siblings, Jack and Olivia … father played soccer at Oswego … 2024 graduate of Aquinas Institute of Rochester, where he earned three varsity letters in soccer and one each in track and field and golf … captained the soccer team, which captured the 2023 Class A state championship with a 20-0-1 record … that was the first Aquinas team in 17 years to win sectional and state titles … named to the Section V All-Tournament Team … played club soccer for RNY FC … part of Aquinas' first-ever section champion golf team, despite coming in with less than one year of experience in the sport.
Dave Brandt on Charlie Sorensen: "Charlie is a 6'2" and still growing versatile player positionally who I think in the end is going to prove to be one of those guys who slipped through the cracks from a recruiting standpoint. He has great size, he is very fluid and skillful, and he can play almost anywhere on the field. He played on a quality but under-the-radar club team, and he led his high school team to a state championship this past fall. Charlie is very good right now and will be even better by the time he steps onto campus in August."
COLLIN SULLIVAN
Freshman | La Grange Park, Ill. | Lyons Township | FC United | Center Back
Collin Sullivan Personal/Before Bucknell: Born July 13, 2005 in Chicago … parents are Theresa and Patrick Sullivan … older brother Jackson will be his teammate at Bucknell … also has two younger brothers, Gavin and Brendan … 2024 graduate of Lyons Township H.S., where he was an All-State and All-Section honoree … named West Suburban First Team All-State and Chicagoland First Team All-State … part of a team won three regional titles, a sectional and super sectional title, and reached the state semifinals … team's leading goal-scorer as a sophomore and later became the team's Defensive MVP … played club soccer for FC United.
Dave Brandt on Collin Sullivan: "We are very much looking forward to having two Sullivans in the team. Collin is his own man and own player, but both he and older brother Jackson, who will be a junior on the team next fall, are extremely athletic and competitive players. Collin will be an excellent addition to the Bison center back core."
COHEN WEAVER
Junior | Elizabethtown, Pa. | Penn State University | Elizabethtown Area H.S. | PA Classics MLS Next | Attacking Midfielder
Cohen Weaver Personal/Before Bucknell: Born Nov. 3, 2003 in Harrisburg, Pa. … parents are Stephanie and Christopher Weaver … has one brother, Aiden, who played soccer at Stanford … grandfather, Jim Weaver, pitched for the Cleveland Indians and California Angels … 2022 graduate of Elizabethtown Area High School … played soccer at Penn State for two seasons and was part of the Nittany Lions' 2023 Big Ten championship team with a 10-4-5 record … appeared in 10 games in 2022 and eight games in 2003 … spent 10 years playing club soccer for PA Classics of MLS Next.
Dave Brandt on Cohen Weaver: "Cohen arrives in Lewisburg as a rising junior transfer from Penn State and will immediately add much-needed experience and quality to the Bucknell attack. Similar to fellow transfer Cade Whitmire, Cohen is a quick, tough, attacking midfield player who will bring immediate high-level college experience to what has been a very young team the last two seasons."
CADE WHITMIRE
Sophomore | Keller, Texas | University of Tulsa | Keller H.S. | Solar SC MLS Next | Attacking Midfielder
Cade Whitmire Personal/Before Bucknell: Born March 17, 2004 in Fort Worth, Texas … parents are Christa and Casey Whitmire … has two siblings, Connick and Camille … both parents were athletes at Tulsa … father played soccer and mother ran track … 2022 graduate of Keller High School … attended University of Tulsa in 2023-24 where he was a member of the men's soccer team … played club soccer for the Solar Soccer Club for 10 years … was also a two-year letterwinner at Keller … led team to a 27-4 mark, a District 5-6A championship and a berth in the regional finals as a senior … tallied 30 goals and 32 assists at KHS … two-time District 5-6A Offensive Player of the Year … 2022 First Team All-Region and Second Team All-State … 2020 Second Team All-Region … two-time Academic All-State … also played football in high school … led his club team in goals at the U16 level and in assists at the U17-19 levels … spent a semester playing in Spain after graduating high school and before attending Tulsa.
Dave Brandt on Cade Whitmire: "Cade comes to Bucknell as a rising sophomore transfer from the University of Tulsa. A Solar club product, Cade is an attacking midfielder who is very quick, very physical, very tough physically and mentally, and was a standout player at Solar who should be able to contribute right away."
Players Mentioned
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