Men's Soccer: LeBlanc Signs Six
February 04, 2011 01:32 PM | General
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – West Virginia University men’s soccer coach Marlon LeBlanc announced the addition of six student-athletes for the 2011 season.
Andrew Bevin (Napier, New Zealand), Nick Breitsameter (Frederick, Md.), Ryan Cain (Wellington, New Zealand), Paul Ehrenworth (Cranbury, N.J.), Ryan Morris (Freehold, N.J.) and Ryan Tauss (Niskayuna, N.Y.), join transfers Paul Eavenson, Greg Judge and Francis Molasoko, who all enrolled at WVU in January.
"This group, along with our January additions of Pat Eavenson, Greg Judge and Francis Molasoko, has made our 2011 recruiting class one of our better and most effective groups at West Virginia University. We filled specific needs and added quality depth with players that will complement an already explosive and dynamic group,” LeBlanc said. “There will likely be one or two more additions before it's all said and done. Coach (Chad) Brown and Coach (Brian) Johnson are to be commended for their tireless work with this group. With so many players returning from last season, we are really looking forward to seeing how good this team can be in 2011."
Bevin comes to the Mountaineers from Hawkes Bay United in the New Zealand Football Championship league, where he has played since 2008-09. Currently, he is in the “Golden Boot” race, scoring six times in the first 11 games, as well as three assists. Bevin is currently on track to represent New Zealand in the U20 FIFA World Cup, pending the team’s qualification, and was on the New Zealand team that qualified for the U17 FIFA World Cup, the first New Zealand team to ever reach the second round of a FIFA tournament. Bevin previously played for the Napier City Rovers and was twice all-tournament in two U19 national tournaments and twice won the “Golden Boot” award for the Rovers, while also receiving MVP, Player’s Player, Supporter’s Player and Youth Player of the Year honors.
“I had a chance to go over there and watch him personally and he is an exciting young prospect with extensive experience with New Zealand’s U17 National Team,” LeBlanc said. “He went to the World Cup with the New Zealand U17’s and is in the pool for the U20 national team’s qualifying as well. He is exciting and can score goals. You can play through him up front and he can play in the midfield or as a forward.”
Bevin was also a four-year starter for Napier Boy’s High, where he was a two-time New Zealand “Golden Boot” recipient and two-time tournament team selection. The team spent four seasons in the school first division and Bevin helped the team to fourth- and seventh-place finishes nationwide.
Breitsmeter has played three seasons for Potomac Academy on the U16 and U18 academy teams, leading the team in scoring in 2009 and 2010. The team is currently ranked No. 12 in the Mid-Atlantic region by TopDrawerSoccer.com. The midfielder played for the Maryland ODP U12, U13 and U14 teams with the Potomac Cougars from U10 to U14 in NCSL, Division I, Colonial and Region I leagues.
“He can play anywhere in our midfield system whether we’re playing with four or three or five. Nick’s versatility allows him to play in any of those spots,” LeBlanc said. “What we like about Nick is that he a classic, tough, center midfielder. He’s not a big guy, but he plays big and if you’ve ever seen a Chris Armas or Richie Williams type player, a destroyer at midfield, he reminds you of that.”
A three-year starter for Urbana High, Breitsameter was also two-time second team Washington Post all-metro, two-time first team all-state, all-county, all-conference and the 2009 Gazette Newspaper Player of the Year. Breitsameter was a senior captain and led the team to state championship games in 2009 and 2010. The two-time Frederick News Post Player of the Year, led the county in scoring in 2009.
Like Bevin, Cain also comes from New Zealand where he plays for Team Wellington in the New Zealand Football Championship league. He also is on track to represent New Zealand in the U20 FIFA World Cup and was recognized at the New Zealand U19 tournament with selection to the all-tournament team.
“Ryan Cain is a goal scorer who is similar to what we have and different than what we have. He has tremendous athleticism, but nice soft feet and one thing I like about him is he can create scoring opportunities and score goals on his own off the dribble,” LeBlanc said. “He’s confident, he scores goals in the air and could be our best forward in terms of an aerial threat to get on crosses in the run of play.”
The forward was a member of all-age group, all-region and all-conference each season at Paraparaumu Beach School, where he led the team in goals each season and set the record for most career goals with 80 goals, while registering 40 assists. He also finished his 80-game high school career as a two-time region/conference player of the year and led the school to Premier League competition for the first time in school history in 2009 and once again in 2010. Cain was a member of the New Zealand Secondary Schools U19 Touring Squad to the United Kingdom in 2008 and 2009, while serving as the top goal scorer in both tours. Cain also scored the game-winning goal against the U18 Republic of Ireland National Team.
As a starting left back with the New York Red Bulls Academy for four years, Ehrenworth advanced to the Home Depot Center in 2009 with the U16 team. He has been among the top of the leaderboard in assists while playing for the academy and participated in the 2008 MLS Sum Cup. Ehrenworth was one of 32 players in the Red Bulls High School Cup in 2010 and named a Top 20 Regional Player to Watch by TopDrawerSoccer.com. He has started against the U.S. U17 National Team three times and won a United States Futsal National Championship in 2007. He was also previously a New Jersey ODP team member.
“He is a naturally left-footed player, something we wanted to have and we have that now in Paul Ehrenworth, a left back who can come forward and serve the ball on the run,” LeBlanc said. “He can also play on the left side of the midfield, but very intelligent and well coached in the Red Bulls Academy system. That Red Bulls Academy team in particular has been one of the better ones with many of their players going on to top level Division I programs.”
Before skipping his senior season to focus on club soccer, Ehrenworth was all-state, all-county and all-conference at Princeton High. Ehrenworth was a two-year starter, winning county championships in 2008 and 2009, while scoring the winning goal each year. He led the team to the 2009 New Jersey state championship game, going undefeated and being voted the No. 1 team in the state and No. 15 nationally.
A four-year New Jersey ODP member, Morris has played club soccer with NJSA 04 Academy coached by United States soccer legend Tab Ramos and served as the team’s leading scorer with 12 goals. On April 5, 2010, Morris was named the National Academy Player of the Week for recent performances and consistent goal scoring and was named to the TopDrawerSoccer.com Top 100 Players to Watch and Top 10 Regional Players to Watch. Like Ehrenworth, Morris was one of 32 players selected to play in the 2010 Red Bulls High School Cup. He also played in the 2010 New Jersey Market Training Session with the best players from each academy in New Jersey. Previously, Morris won the U13 and U14 State Cup with the Tewksbury Bengals and the U15 State Cup with PDA Beckham. He also went on a trip to England with PDA Beckham and played against Liverpool, Fulham and Wrexham.
“Tab called me personally about Ryan to tell me a little more about him after we saw him and scouted him and we agreed whole heartedly that the young man is going to be a very good player at this level,” LeBlanc said. “He certainly has the potential to be one of the better players and a great goal scorer, but what he does well is run off the ball, he gets behind and runs across defender.”
A three-year starter at Freehold Township High, Morris received first team all-division, all-county, all-conference and all-state in 2010. Morris was a senior captain in 2010, while also winning the 2008 Shore Conference Championship and the 2010 Central Jersey Group IV State Championship. For his efforts, he was named Freehold Township’s Offensive Player of the Year in 2010 and finished his career with 20 goals and 17 assists.
Tauss currently plays for the FC Westchester Academy after previously playing for the Hicksville Strikes in 2010, winning the state championship, Region I, and USYS Region I Championships. Tauss was in the Super Y North American finals with Blackwatch Premier in 2006 and 2008 and selection to Region I ’93 ODP team in 2008 and 2009, while also playing for the Region I team at the Disney Showcase in 2008 and 2009. Internationally, Tauss traveled to Argentina with the Region I team in 2009 and selected to participate in a trip to Scotland and England. He also played in an Adidas Select International Training Program with Real Madrid in Spain and was identified as one of the top players at the camp. He also played for the Eastern New York North ODP team from 2005-10 and played for Super Y ODP National Camp in 2007-08.
“Ryan is a kid we’ve tracked for a long time, way back at the Disney Showcase when he was playing with the Region I Olympic Development squad,” LeBlanc said. “Ryan is a good player and whether he is playing as a center back or defensive midfielder, we really like Ryan and think he has a bright upside.”
A four-year starter at Niskayuna High, Tauss won the 2007 Section II Class AA and Regional AA titles and was a three-time team MVP, while also being a NSCAA High School All-American in 2010. He also was a three-time Suburban Council first team all-star and named to ESPN RISE New York Preseason Starting XI in 2010, while being named Suburban Council MVP, Section II MVP, first team all-state, NSCAA All-Region II and to the ESPN RISE New York Starting XI. In the classroom, Tauss is a four time scholar-athlete.
“These guys are good players that are going to complement our team,” LeBlanc said. “With the January additions, and a couple still to come, the 2011 recruiting class at WVU is again one of the best in the country.”
West Virginia finished the season 11-8-2 and advanced to the second round of the NCAA tournament before falling to eventual national champion Akron. The Mountaineers return 10 regular starters and 17 letterwinners in 2011. All of the team’s 34 goals in 2010 return and WVU will only lose seven of its 116 points.
Andrew Bevin (Napier, New Zealand), Nick Breitsameter (Frederick, Md.), Ryan Cain (Wellington, New Zealand), Paul Ehrenworth (Cranbury, N.J.), Ryan Morris (Freehold, N.J.) and Ryan Tauss (Niskayuna, N.Y.), join transfers Paul Eavenson, Greg Judge and Francis Molasoko, who all enrolled at WVU in January.
"This group, along with our January additions of Pat Eavenson, Greg Judge and Francis Molasoko, has made our 2011 recruiting class one of our better and most effective groups at West Virginia University. We filled specific needs and added quality depth with players that will complement an already explosive and dynamic group,” LeBlanc said. “There will likely be one or two more additions before it's all said and done. Coach (Chad) Brown and Coach (Brian) Johnson are to be commended for their tireless work with this group. With so many players returning from last season, we are really looking forward to seeing how good this team can be in 2011."
Bevin comes to the Mountaineers from Hawkes Bay United in the New Zealand Football Championship league, where he has played since 2008-09. Currently, he is in the “Golden Boot” race, scoring six times in the first 11 games, as well as three assists. Bevin is currently on track to represent New Zealand in the U20 FIFA World Cup, pending the team’s qualification, and was on the New Zealand team that qualified for the U17 FIFA World Cup, the first New Zealand team to ever reach the second round of a FIFA tournament. Bevin previously played for the Napier City Rovers and was twice all-tournament in two U19 national tournaments and twice won the “Golden Boot” award for the Rovers, while also receiving MVP, Player’s Player, Supporter’s Player and Youth Player of the Year honors.
“I had a chance to go over there and watch him personally and he is an exciting young prospect with extensive experience with New Zealand’s U17 National Team,” LeBlanc said. “He went to the World Cup with the New Zealand U17’s and is in the pool for the U20 national team’s qualifying as well. He is exciting and can score goals. You can play through him up front and he can play in the midfield or as a forward.”
Bevin was also a four-year starter for Napier Boy’s High, where he was a two-time New Zealand “Golden Boot” recipient and two-time tournament team selection. The team spent four seasons in the school first division and Bevin helped the team to fourth- and seventh-place finishes nationwide.
Breitsmeter has played three seasons for Potomac Academy on the U16 and U18 academy teams, leading the team in scoring in 2009 and 2010. The team is currently ranked No. 12 in the Mid-Atlantic region by TopDrawerSoccer.com. The midfielder played for the Maryland ODP U12, U13 and U14 teams with the Potomac Cougars from U10 to U14 in NCSL, Division I, Colonial and Region I leagues.
“He can play anywhere in our midfield system whether we’re playing with four or three or five. Nick’s versatility allows him to play in any of those spots,” LeBlanc said. “What we like about Nick is that he a classic, tough, center midfielder. He’s not a big guy, but he plays big and if you’ve ever seen a Chris Armas or Richie Williams type player, a destroyer at midfield, he reminds you of that.”
A three-year starter for Urbana High, Breitsameter was also two-time second team Washington Post all-metro, two-time first team all-state, all-county, all-conference and the 2009 Gazette Newspaper Player of the Year. Breitsameter was a senior captain and led the team to state championship games in 2009 and 2010. The two-time Frederick News Post Player of the Year, led the county in scoring in 2009.
Like Bevin, Cain also comes from New Zealand where he plays for Team Wellington in the New Zealand Football Championship league. He also is on track to represent New Zealand in the U20 FIFA World Cup and was recognized at the New Zealand U19 tournament with selection to the all-tournament team.
“Ryan Cain is a goal scorer who is similar to what we have and different than what we have. He has tremendous athleticism, but nice soft feet and one thing I like about him is he can create scoring opportunities and score goals on his own off the dribble,” LeBlanc said. “He’s confident, he scores goals in the air and could be our best forward in terms of an aerial threat to get on crosses in the run of play.”
The forward was a member of all-age group, all-region and all-conference each season at Paraparaumu Beach School, where he led the team in goals each season and set the record for most career goals with 80 goals, while registering 40 assists. He also finished his 80-game high school career as a two-time region/conference player of the year and led the school to Premier League competition for the first time in school history in 2009 and once again in 2010. Cain was a member of the New Zealand Secondary Schools U19 Touring Squad to the United Kingdom in 2008 and 2009, while serving as the top goal scorer in both tours. Cain also scored the game-winning goal against the U18 Republic of Ireland National Team.
As a starting left back with the New York Red Bulls Academy for four years, Ehrenworth advanced to the Home Depot Center in 2009 with the U16 team. He has been among the top of the leaderboard in assists while playing for the academy and participated in the 2008 MLS Sum Cup. Ehrenworth was one of 32 players in the Red Bulls High School Cup in 2010 and named a Top 20 Regional Player to Watch by TopDrawerSoccer.com. He has started against the U.S. U17 National Team three times and won a United States Futsal National Championship in 2007. He was also previously a New Jersey ODP team member.
“He is a naturally left-footed player, something we wanted to have and we have that now in Paul Ehrenworth, a left back who can come forward and serve the ball on the run,” LeBlanc said. “He can also play on the left side of the midfield, but very intelligent and well coached in the Red Bulls Academy system. That Red Bulls Academy team in particular has been one of the better ones with many of their players going on to top level Division I programs.”
Before skipping his senior season to focus on club soccer, Ehrenworth was all-state, all-county and all-conference at Princeton High. Ehrenworth was a two-year starter, winning county championships in 2008 and 2009, while scoring the winning goal each year. He led the team to the 2009 New Jersey state championship game, going undefeated and being voted the No. 1 team in the state and No. 15 nationally.
A four-year New Jersey ODP member, Morris has played club soccer with NJSA 04 Academy coached by United States soccer legend Tab Ramos and served as the team’s leading scorer with 12 goals. On April 5, 2010, Morris was named the National Academy Player of the Week for recent performances and consistent goal scoring and was named to the TopDrawerSoccer.com Top 100 Players to Watch and Top 10 Regional Players to Watch. Like Ehrenworth, Morris was one of 32 players selected to play in the 2010 Red Bulls High School Cup. He also played in the 2010 New Jersey Market Training Session with the best players from each academy in New Jersey. Previously, Morris won the U13 and U14 State Cup with the Tewksbury Bengals and the U15 State Cup with PDA Beckham. He also went on a trip to England with PDA Beckham and played against Liverpool, Fulham and Wrexham.
“Tab called me personally about Ryan to tell me a little more about him after we saw him and scouted him and we agreed whole heartedly that the young man is going to be a very good player at this level,” LeBlanc said. “He certainly has the potential to be one of the better players and a great goal scorer, but what he does well is run off the ball, he gets behind and runs across defender.”
A three-year starter at Freehold Township High, Morris received first team all-division, all-county, all-conference and all-state in 2010. Morris was a senior captain in 2010, while also winning the 2008 Shore Conference Championship and the 2010 Central Jersey Group IV State Championship. For his efforts, he was named Freehold Township’s Offensive Player of the Year in 2010 and finished his career with 20 goals and 17 assists.
Tauss currently plays for the FC Westchester Academy after previously playing for the Hicksville Strikes in 2010, winning the state championship, Region I, and USYS Region I Championships. Tauss was in the Super Y North American finals with Blackwatch Premier in 2006 and 2008 and selection to Region I ’93 ODP team in 2008 and 2009, while also playing for the Region I team at the Disney Showcase in 2008 and 2009. Internationally, Tauss traveled to Argentina with the Region I team in 2009 and selected to participate in a trip to Scotland and England. He also played in an Adidas Select International Training Program with Real Madrid in Spain and was identified as one of the top players at the camp. He also played for the Eastern New York North ODP team from 2005-10 and played for Super Y ODP National Camp in 2007-08.
“Ryan is a kid we’ve tracked for a long time, way back at the Disney Showcase when he was playing with the Region I Olympic Development squad,” LeBlanc said. “Ryan is a good player and whether he is playing as a center back or defensive midfielder, we really like Ryan and think he has a bright upside.”
A four-year starter at Niskayuna High, Tauss won the 2007 Section II Class AA and Regional AA titles and was a three-time team MVP, while also being a NSCAA High School All-American in 2010. He also was a three-time Suburban Council first team all-star and named to ESPN RISE New York Preseason Starting XI in 2010, while being named Suburban Council MVP, Section II MVP, first team all-state, NSCAA All-Region II and to the ESPN RISE New York Starting XI. In the classroom, Tauss is a four time scholar-athlete.
“These guys are good players that are going to complement our team,” LeBlanc said. “With the January additions, and a couple still to come, the 2011 recruiting class at WVU is again one of the best in the country.”
West Virginia finished the season 11-8-2 and advanced to the second round of the NCAA tournament before falling to eventual national champion Akron. The Mountaineers return 10 regular starters and 17 letterwinners in 2011. All of the team’s 34 goals in 2010 return and WVU will only lose seven of its 116 points.
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