Men's Soccer: 12 Added For 2008 Class
February 13, 2008 02:52 PM | General
February 13, 2008
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – West Virginia University men’s soccer coach Marlon LeBlanc has announced the addition of 12 student-athletes for the 2008 season.
Joining the Mountaineers next season are Gary Clark (Harrisburg, Pa.), Nick Claudio (Charleston, W.Va.), Devin Colon (Spring, Texas), Kona Dennis (Reston, Va.), Brandon Fischetti (Monroeville, Pa.), Kurt Freemyer (Arlington, Va.), Raymon Gaddis (Indianapolis, Ind.), Ruben Garrido (Elkhart, Ind.), Connor Gorman (Philadelphia, Pa.), Adam Mills (Indianapolis, Ind.), Billy Noojin (Acworth, Ga.) and Michael Pitrolo (Parkersburg, W.Va.).
“Top to bottom, I think this class is one of the best in the country,” says LeBlanc. “What excites me the most is that it is full of pace, athleticism and winners. It’s a well-rounded group inclusive of some of the top recruits in the country and some young men that we feel will make a splash on the Division I scene.”
Clark served as a captain for Central Daupin East High and was named to the Central Pennsylvania Big 11 All-Star team in 2007. He was tabbed a Mid-Penn All Star in 2006 and 2007. Clark was a four-time Distinguished Honor Student and member of the National Honor Society. He also played soccer for the LDC United Soccer Club.
“Gary is a big and fast defender,” says LeBlanc. “We will look to use him in a number of positions along the back line. Gary was a bit under the radar but we expect him to make an immediate impact for us this fall.”
Claudio earned West Virginia all-state honors at George Washington High, where he played for Tom Hopper. He was the Kanawha/Putnam County Player of the Year, first team all-Kanawha/Putnam County and first team all-Mountain State Athletic Conference. A team captain who was second on the team in scoring in 2007, Claudio helped lead GW to the 2007 West Virginia state title. Claudio, who played club soccer for the WVSC Elite, was a selection to the West Virginia Olympic Development Program (ODP) team.
“At WVU, we are committed to keeping our best in-state products home,” says LeBlanc. “We’ve done exactly that with Nick. I coached Nick on the West Virginia ODP team and know him very well. I know he will make an impact to our program.”
Colon was a four-year varsity player for Klein Oak High, where he led his district in assists the last two seasons. He also played for the Texas FC club team, where he led the team in goals the last two seasons. Colon was also a three-year member of the DECA business/marketing organization.
“Devin comes to us from Houston, Texas,” says LeBlanc. “We discovered Devin in our summer camps. We look for Devin to be a sleeper in this class.”
Dennis was a four-year member of the Lab School of Washington soccer team and was team captain as a senior. Dennis, who also was a member of the 4x400 relay team in track, is fluent in French. He also played club soccer for the DC United Academy.
“Kona Dennis is a defender with great speed, athleticism and drive,” says LeBlanc. “We expect Kona to be a major contributor to our program for the next four years.”
Fischetti was a four-year starter at Gateway High, where he scored 51 goals and 40 assists for his career. He was named to the all-WPIAL team, all-section team and was a four-year member of the Honor Roll. Fischetti played club soccer for the Beadling Soccer Club, where he helped lead the team to three Pennsylvania West state championships. He is also a four-time Pennsylvania ODP team captain.
“Brandon is one of the top players out of the Pittsburgh area this year,” says LeBlanc. “He is a natural goal scorer with excellent speed and the ability to break down a defender in a one-on-one situation.”
Freemyer was the leading scorer in 2006 and 2007 for Yorktown High. He has earned numerous honors: all-Met, all-Region, all-District, team MVP in 2007 and Virginia High School Academic Excellence. Freemyer was also a member of the McLean FC club team, where he helped lead his team to a regional championship in 2004. He also ran track for four seasons and was all-district in the 55 meters and all-region in the 4x200 and 300 meters.
“In one word - pace,” says LeBlanc. “It’s the one thing we can’t coach and Kurt may be the fastest guy in the BIG EAST next year.”
Gaddis earned Indiana all-state honors at North Central High as well as NSCAA Adidas Youth All-America honors. He was a two-time selection to the Adidas Elite Soccer Program (ESP), was tabbed a 2007 All-Star and was a member of the U.S. National Team 1990 Pool. Gaddis earned top defender honors at ESP by Rise Magazine. He also played club soccer for Isang Jacob at the Indy Burn (six time Indiana state cup champions, 2002-07). Gaddis was a four-time selection to the Indiana State ODP team and Region II ODP team. He has earned numerous honors in the classroom: Academic Honor Roll, 2006 High School Leadership Award and 2006 Avid Outstanding Student Award.
“Raymon was obviously one of the most sought after players in the country this year,” says LeBlanc. “We are very pleased to have him at West Virginia for the next four years and look for him to have an immediate impact this fall.”
Garrido started every game for four years of high school at Elkhart Central High and helped lead his team a runner-up finish. He has earned numerous accolades: Northern Indiana Player of the Year, Top 60 player as a junior and senior, all-area Soccer Star, all-district and team MVP in 2007. Garrido has earned numerous honors in the classroom: Scholar Athlete Award, four-year member of the Principal’s Honor Roll, National Honor Society, Student Council, Class President and ranks 10th in his class. He also played club soccer for Isang Jacob at the Indy Burn (three-time Indiana state cup champions, 2005-07) and was a six-time selection to the Indiana State ODP team, where he was team captain in 2005 and 2006.
“He is another one of the top players out of Indiana,” says LeBlanc. “He is a two-way central midfielder who will make an immediate impact on the team.”
Gorman earned Pennsylvania all-state honors at William Penn Charter High. A 2007 team captain, he was a three-year all-league selection and 2007 league MVP. Gorman also played club soccer for the Montgomery United and helped his team to the 2006 Eastern Pennsylvania state championship.
“Connor is a naturally left-footed player who we will look to train as a left back in our system,” says LeBlanc. “He was one of the top players in the Philadelphia area this year and another freshman that fans will see on the field.”
Mills was a four-year starter for Brebeuf Jesuit College Prep High and was a two-time high school Offensive MVP. He was named to the Indiana all-state team and super team. Mills was a seven-time selection to the Indiana State ODP team and four-time selection to the Region II ODP team. A member of the Black Student Union, Mills played club soccer for Isang Jacob at the Indy Burn. The Indy Burn were six-time Indiana state cup champions from 2002-07.
“Adam is one of the top attacking prospects this year,” says LeBlanc. “He is a natural winger with the ability to change the game on his own.”
Noojin was a four-year starter at Kell High and team captain in 2007 and 2008. He played club soccer for the NASA ’08 Elite team, where he was coached by WVU alum Todd Gispert. Noojin’s NASA ’08 Elite team earned the 2007 Region III Premier League championship. He was also the starting kicker on the football team from 2005-07.
“Billy is a big, athletic and agile goalkeeper who will continue the tradition of great goalkeepers produced by this program,” says LeBlanc. “We expect Billy to challenge for the starting role this fall.”
Pitrolo led Parkersburg High to the 2005 and 2006 high school state championship, playing for Don Fosselman. He earned all-state honors and was named the Mountain State Athletic Conference Male Academic Athlete of the Year. Pitrolo is also a member of the National Honor Society, National Spanish Honor Society and was a Presidential Scholar. He also played club soccer for the WVSC Elite, where he was a team captain. WVSC Elite were two-time West Virginia state champions.
“Again, it’s our belief that the best players in the state of West Virginia should come to WVU,” says LeBlanc. “I believe we achieved that with Michael Pitrolo. He is a big, strong center forward. We expect Michael to challenge for playing time as a freshman.”
WVU closed the 2007 season with a record of 14-6-2, advanced to the quarterfinals of the BIG EAST tournament and reached the NCAA Sweet 16. The Mountaineers were ranked No. 13 in the final NSCAA/adidas poll.
