Marshall University Athletics
Men's Soccer Announces Signing Class
3/8/2005 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Men's Soccer Announces Signing Class
3/8/2005
HUNTINGTON, W. Va. ? Marshall University men?s soccer coach Bob Gray has announced the signing of eight student-athletes to National Letters of Intent. Included in the class are Greg Walters, Stanton Smith, Phillip Buffington, Nick Daniele, Brandon Lacko, J.D. Hill, Jira Cooley and Osric Flores.
?This is a great recruiting class,? Gray said. ?I think that with the talent we signed, put together with what we already have on our team, we will be very competitive in Conference USA.?
Greg Walter, Goalkeeper (Fenelton, PA)
Greg was a 4-year letter winner, team captain and named MVP of the team which participated in the state playoffs. As goalkeeper for the Pittsburgh Strikers Premier team, Greg played a rigorous 45 game schedule and won the PA State Championship, finishing 25th in the nation. Greg has also played in Europe as a 15 year old and was nominated to the Gotihia Cup all star team and won a US Club Soccer National Championship.
?Greg can compete for our starting goalie spot right away, he is very strong and athletic. He as all of the tools necessary to be a great goalkeeper, he has the body type of Taly Goode.?
Stanton Smith, Midfielder (Belhar, South Africa)
1st Team All Region (Great Lakes) 2003
1st Team All Region (Appalachian) 2004
Smith comes to Marshall from the University of Charleston, which won the 2004 WVIAC Conference. He was a 1st Team All Region (Great Lakes) in 2003 and Appalachian in 2004. A first team All-WVIAC player in 2004, Smith led UC in goals (10), assists (10), points (30) and shots (29).
?Stanton comes to us from UC and has one year of eligibility left. He is an outstanding midfielder and we think that he can make an impact in only one year, he could be a potential game breaker.?
Phillip Buffington, Forward (Jackson, MS)
In his senior season at Jackson Prep, Buffington tied the Mississippi state record for goals scored in a season with 61. His team won its fourth straight state championship earlier this year.
?Phillip is a great scorer, he is dangerous in more ways than one, he can strike the ball well, but is also a threat heading the ball into the back of the net. He is another good athlete whose size and strength will help us.?
Nick Daniele, Defender (Columbus, OH)
Nick is the brother of John Daniele, who is also on the men?s soccer team. His club team, Premier Adidas, was the 2001 Regional Champions. At St. Charles Prep, he was a three-year varsity starter and two-year captain.
?Nick brings some great defensive qualities to our team. He strength and toughness will allow him to challenge for a starting spot right away.?
Brandon Lacko, Def./MF (Westerville, OH)
Brandon comes to Marshall from Westerville South High School where he was the captain in 2004 and MVP in 2003. He earned Second Team OCC honors in 2002 and 2003.
?Brandon is a versatile player, he can come right in and play at a few different positions for us. Physically, he is the type of player who can help us win in Conference USA.?
J.D. Hill, Midfielder (Columbus, OH)
Hill was a four-year letter-winner at Dublin Coffman High School. His team, the Ohio F.C. Xtreme won four straight state championships. He scored eight goals and recorded 14 assists as a senior. Last year, he was named the Ohio Capital Conference Buckeye Division Player of the Year. He was also recently named to the NSCAA/adidas All-Region Team.
?Hill plays for what is the top club in Ohio (Ohio F.C. Xtreme) and that experience should help him here, he is intelligent and plays a simple game, he gives us good depth at the midfield position.?
Jira Cooley, Midfielder (Redmond, WA)
Cooley is a midfielder and plays for Parma of FC Alliance in Bothell. Parma is a Premier 1 U-18 team that finished 2nd in state in 2003 and is coached by former Seattle Pacific University standout Brad Elmenhurst. Cooley was the 2003 MVP for Redmond HS boy?s soccer, and was also a 2nd Team All-Kingco football player for the Mustangs in 2002.
?Jira is an explosive central midfielder who is an excellent athlete and is very good with the ball. Jira has the ability to have an immediate impact on our center midfield right away. He is capable of scoring goals and is a strong ball winner defensively.?
Osric Flores, Forward (Everett, WA)
Flores is a teammate with Cooley on Parma and was among the top goal scorers. He also plays forward for Cascade High School and was the WesCo leading goal scorer in 2002 and was 1st Team All-WesCo.
?Osric is a proven goal-scorer who is very quick and skillful in tight spaces. Osric is fast enough to get behind the opponents defense and can create chances for others with his consistent work ethic. Osric is a likely candidate to start as a freshman.?
