Men's Soccer Announces 2007 Newcomers
3/13/2007 11:07:20 AM | Men's Soccer
Joey Beeler -- Assistant SID
DAVIDSON, N.C. -- The Davidson men's soccer team will welcome seven very talented incoming freshmen for the 2007 fall campaign as announced by Head Coach Matt Spear, who returns for his seventh season at the helm of his alma mater, where he holds the program's best winning percentage.
According to Coach Spear, "We are excited and confident that these young men will represent Davidson Soccer very well, both on and off the field. In terms of soccer talent and experience, they bring a premium level of play and have competed in excellent environments. They realize they have an enormous opportunity to help us further accelerate as a program from their first day on campus this August."
"I want to congratulate Coach Clint Peay, who in his first full cycle as our recruiting coordinator did a great job in identifying and evaluating this special group."
Alex Caskey
Position: Midfielder
Hometown: Dunwoody, Georgia
Club Team: Forsyth Fusion
High School: Dunwoody
Accomplishments: Georgia ODP State Team ... Region III Pool ... 2005 Club State Champions... Trained at Zico Soccer Academy in Brazil in summer of 2005 ... Also played for high school basketball team.
Coach Spear: "Alex was our first 2007 commitment and it really got us going in the right direction. He is a special center mid that has tremendous field vision and an excellent understanding of the game. He can control the flow and pace of a match, while creating dangerous scoring opportunities."
Seth Kulasekera
Position: Midfielder/Defender
Hometown: Clemson, South Carolina
Club Team: CESA Premier
High School: DW Daniel
Accomplishments: South Carolina ODP State Team ... 2000-2005 Club State Champions ... 2004 Region III Club Finalists ... Disney Showcase Club Champions ... Club team and High School team Captain ... Also played for high school basketball team ... Davidson's 2006/2007 Bryan Scholar.
Coach Spear: "We identified Seth as a Sophomore, and then got to know him even better through our 2006 summer camp. Seth is a skilled, cerebral player that can play a few positions. Plus winning the Bryan Scholarship underlines what a great student and leader he is off the field too."
Matt McElroy
Position: Goalkeeper
Hometown: Potomac, Maryland
Club Team: Potomac Cougars
High School: Winston Churchill
Accomplishments: Maryland ODP State Team ... Super Y-League Region Team and National Pool ... International soccer trips to Brazil and Italy ... Previously played for the Bowie Bandits' club team ... Has trained aggressively with former pro keeper Russell Payne.
Coach Spear: "One of the best qualities for an aspiring goalie is his determination and work ethic - Matt is very diligent and takes his progress very seriously. Plus at 6'3" and 200 pounds, he possesses an intimidating size that can help control the goal mouth."
Yannick Pilgrim
Position: Forward
Hometown: Arima, Trinidad & Tobago
Club Team: FC Santa Rosa
High School: Hotchkiss (Connecticut)
Accomplishments: Leading scorer for club team ... Soccer trips to Curacao and Suriname ... Connecticut All State Team ... New England All Star Game ... Also ran track for high school team ... High school teammate of current Davidson player Machel Turner.
Coach Spear: "It's hard to teach attacking creativity, and I think Yannick's natural speed and dribbling ability can open up defenses. It will be a interesting transition into NCAA Division I soccer for him as much of his past experience is in the Caribbean game. I think he's up for the challenge and will rise to the occasion."
Peter Shelton
Position: Midfielder
Hometown: Raleigh, North Carolina
Club Team: CASL Elite
High School: Ravenscroft
Accomplishments: 2005 and 2006 All Conference and All State NCISSA ... 2006 Club team Score at the Shore (NC) Champions ... Also participated on high school track and swimming teams.
Coach Spear: "Peter is a great example of a recruit that came through our summer camp system as it was important for him to see Davidson from the inside and for us to get to know him better. I think Peter has a lot of upside as his level of play and confidence continue to escalate. As a left-footed player, he adds better width in our attack - he's also a good central player."
Mauricio Simms
Position: Forward
Hometown: Bowie, Maryland
Club Team: Baltimore Bays
High School: Severn
Accomplishments: Maryland ODP State Team ... Super Y-League Regional Team ... Leading scorer for high school team as a Junior and Senior ... High School team was undefeated and conference and state champs for Senior season.
Coach Spear: "Mauricio has the strength and conviction to score goals. His attacking skills are his pride and joy. Our program needed a shot in the arm to be more assertive in front of goal, and Mauricio is an important step in this direction. He wants to contribute right away."
Josh Zipin
Position: Midfielder/Defender
Hometown: Silver Spring, Maryland
Club Team: Bethesda United
High School: Montgomery Blair
Accomplishments: Maryland ODP State Team from U12-U17 ... Region III Team from U13-U16 ... US National Team Pool at U14 ... Club team are two-time Region I Champions ... High school team captain ... Club teammate of current Davidson player AJ Grant.
Coach Spear: "Quality left-sided players were a major priority in this recruiting class, and Josh is very experienced and highly skilled for the left side. He does very well attacking down the left flank, and can also played well attacking from the defender position with his State Team. And his club team is extremely well accomplished."
Coming off the 50th year of Davidson soccer, the Wildcats look to return to its fourth Southern Conference Championship appearance in the last five years.
