Photo by: Tim Cowie - DavidsonPhotos.com
Men's Soccer Announces Class of 2014
2/4/2010 1:15:40 PM | Men's Soccer
DAVIDSON, N.C. – Looking to build off a successful 2009 campaign that saw the Wildcats return to the national rankings, head coach Matt Spear announced the eight members of the Davidson men's soccer Class of 2014 on Thursday.
Midfielder/forwards Jake Keator and Chris Pettiglio, midfielders Alex Givens and Nick Grube, defenders Ryan Malden and Coleman O'Neill, and goalkeepers Ben Gold and Max Henry will join the Davidson program in August 2010.
“I speak for the other coaches, current players, and our alumni in warmly welcoming these young men – and their families – to Davidson soccer,” said Spear. “These guys are all smart, gifted, and ambitious. They will not just fit in, they will make us better. Their soccer pedigree is strong, with seven of eight currently competing in US Soccer Development Academy club programs.”
The eight members come from all across the country and include one local product in Henry. Henry, a resident of Mount Ulla, N.C., attends Mooresville High School where he is in the top-five percent of his graduating class and garnered all-conference and all-region honors as the starting goalkeeper and team captain. He also competed for North Meck Soccer Club, captaining the squad during his senior season.
Givens also hails from North Carolina, attending North Raleigh Christian Academy and also competing for CASL Chelsea FC. Gold and Malden both hail from southern California where they both played for Real So Cal. O'Neill, Keator and Pettglio hail from Florida, Virginia, and Massachusetts, respectively.
Complete information on the Davidson Men's Soccer Class of 2014:
Alex Givens
Position: Midfielder
Height/Weight: 5-7/155
Hometown: Raleigh, N.C.
Club: CASL Chelsea FC
High School: North Raleigh Christian Academy
Before Davidson: Captained CASL Chelsea FC Academy club team from 2006-2010 … named to US Soccer Development Academy South Conference “Starting XI” team in 2008 and 2009 … led team to 2008 US Soccer Development Academy finals after claiming regional championship … led team to back-to-back North Carolina State Cup Championships and U.S. Youth Soccer Southern Regional Finals appearances in 2006 and 2007 … named to adidas All-Star team at the 2008 Disney Soccer Showcase (presented by Chelsea FC), and traveled and competed with the team to London for the Chelsea International Youth Cup Tournament in August 2008 … led squad to 2007 Disney Showcase Championship … Region 3 '92 Boys ODP Team selection in 2008, pool member 2006-2007 … 2007 USL National Camp Invitee … NCYSA '92 Boys State ODP team 2005-2007 … captained North Raleigh Christian Academy (NRCA) team during junior and senior seasons, leading the team to back-to-back conference championships, the state semifinals in 2008 and the state semifinals in 2009 … 2009 TISAC Conference Player of the Year, NRCA Most Valuable Player and Ravenscroft Invitational MVP … two-time NC Coaches Association All-State team selection … three-time all-conference team selection … scored 28 goals and 12 assists during senior season … also competed on the varsity track & field team in ninth grade, winning the 1600m conference championship and setting school records in both the 1600m and 800m … served as a kicker for the varsity football team in 10th grade … inducted into National Honors Society … received honors chemistry and physical education department awards.
Personal: Son of Kevin and Tina Givens … has a brother, John (7) and a sister, Amelia (7) … major is undeclared – considering economics or chemistry.
Coach Spear: “Alex is a soccer junkie, and I mean that in the most positive fashion. That shows in his passion, training habits, and his feel for the game. He has wonderful field awareness and techhnique so he can solve problems on the field. He has been a leader and a captain for several years on one of the best teams and clubs in the nation.”
Ben Gold
Position: Goalkeeper
Height/Weight: 6-1/155
Hometown: Woodland Hills, Calif.
Club: Real So Cal
High School: El Camino Real
Before Davidson: Played eight years at Real So Cal Academy … team finished as 2008 Coast Soccer Premier Division U17 undefeated champions, USYSA U16 Region IV champions and natinonal finalists … in 2009, team finished as Northern Ireland Milk Cup Premier Section quarterfinalists and California Premier League North/South U19 champions … club teammate of Davidson classmate Ryan Malden … 2007 and 2008 Cal South ODP … graduated in the top three percent of his class at El Camino Real H.S. … AP scholar with honors and National Hispanic Scholar.
Personal: Son of Charles and Karen Gold … has a sister, Rebecca (23) and brother, David (21) who played soccer at Kenyon College … major is undeclared - considering History and Economics.
Coach Spear: “Ben will fit in very, very well in our goalkeeping corps and full team. His technique, his sense of spacing around the goal, and his communication are all excellent. He's very good at playing the ball with his feet too. I can't wait to watch him grow into a very good college keeper.”
Nick Grube
Position: Midfielder
Hometown: Lake Forest, Ill.
Height/Weight: 5-11/155
Club: Chicago Magic SC
High School: Lake Forest
Before Davidson: Three-year member of Chicago Magic Monoco Academy as a center midfielder … four-year member of Lake Forest H.S. team … all-conference, all-area and all-sectional selection … three-time defensive player of the year … captained squad for two seasons … three-time selection to the North Suburban Conference All-Tournament team … earned North Shore League Scholar Athlete Honors.
Personal: Son of Mark and Lisa Grube … has two younger brothers, Kevin (16) and Joseph (9) … major is undeclared - considering economics and English.
Coach Spear: “Nick shined at our summer camp. He's very comfortable with the ball, and he plays in a fluid, consistent manner. He loves the game and he comes from an awesome club environment that has produced countless Division I players and pros.”
Max Henry
Position: Goalkeeper
Height/Weight: 6-2/170
Hometown: Mount Ulla, N.C.
Club: North Meck SC
High School: Mooresville
Before Davidson: An all-conference and all-region goalkeeper his junior and senior year at Mooresville H.S. … nominated for North Carolina All-State team following senior year … three-year letterwinner playing for coach Stephan Stith, a 1987 Davidson soccer graduate … captained both the Mooresville team and North Meck Soccer Club during senior year … previously played under current Davidson coach Kevin O'Brien at North Meck … in top five percent of high school graduating class … a North Carolina Governor's School nominee … Latin Club President … member of National Honor Society … AP Scholar … earned Academic Letter sophomore year and Academic Achievement award junior year.
Personal: Son of Mike and Kristy Henry, who both graduated from Wake Forest University and are now school teachers in Mooresville, N.C. … father, Mike, played soccer at Wake Forest … sister, Karrin (19), currently attends Wake Forest … major is undeclared – considering physics.
Coach Spear: “We are very excited to bring in a player with local roots. Max's worth ethic, focus, and willingness to improve is amazing, and I think those qualites will be contagious to his Davidson teammates too. His instincts and skills are solid, and it's his fearlessness that raises his game.”
Jake Keator
Position: Forward/Midfielder
Height/Weight: 6-0/170
Hometown: Jacksonville, Fla.
Club: Ponte Vedra
High School: The Bolles School
Before Davidson: Co-captained FHSAA 3A State, Regional and District champion The Bolles School team … named 2009 District Player of the Year after scoring 14 goals and 11 assists … also named to the Florida 3A All-State Team and Florida Times Union All-First Coast First Team … 2009 Wendy's High School Heisman Winner … 2008 team reached state semifinals after claiming the regional and district championships … received 2008 U.S. Marine Corps Honor, Courage, and Commitment Award … played nine years at Ponte Vedra Soccer Club … National Merit Finalist … AP Scholar … member of National Honor Society, National Spanish Honor Society and National Chinese Honor Society … graduated from high school in 2009, but took a gap year.
Personal: Son of William and Kelley Keator … has one sister, Emily (16) … mother, Kelley, played field hockey and lacrosse at Amherst College … aunt, Juile Noyes Laframboise, was a two-time All-American (1994, '95) lacrosse player at Swarthmore College who still holds NCAA records for goals per game in a season and career, and points per game in a career … uncle, Matt Keator played hockey for Trinity College, played hockey professionally in Sweden, scouted for the St. Louis Blues and now is a NHL player agent … major is undeclared – considering English.
Coach Spear: “Jake is the perfect example of coming through our summer advanced camps. He attended for two consecutive summers – the first year he was good, but the second year he was very, very good. Taking a year between high school and college has only made an intelligent, mature, strong young man even more so in each quality.”
Ryan Malden
Position: Defender
Hometown: Agoura Hills, Calif.
Height/Weight: 6-0/165
Club: Real So Cal
High School: Loyola
Before Davidson: Played soccer for two years at Loyola H.S. … named freshmen soccer MVP … varsity soccer “Rookie of the Year” … five-year member of Real So Cal Academy … back-to-back state of California Premier League Champions U17/U19 … back-to-Back CSL Premier League Champions U17/U19 … Real So Cal Development Academy Team Captain 2009-2010 season … selected for the only US soccer team to play in Northern Ireland's Milk Cup in 2009, advancing to the semi-finals … club teammate of Davidson classmate Ben Gold … also played on Loyola football team as a kicker and wide receiver … named outstanding sophomore and junior student … won Swarthmore Book Award … member of Cum Laude Society.
Personal: Son of Chris and Lorraine Malden … has a brother, Kyle (15) … father, Chris, played baseball at Moorpark College in his mid-30's … has traveled to 34 different countries … major is undeclared – considering biology.
Coach Spear: “As a young man, Ryan is remarkably grounded, poised and well travelled – 34 countries! On the field, he is a no-nonsense, physical, aggressive defender. He craves marking great strikers. He is also a proven leader, both by example and by words.”
Coleman O'Neill
Position: Defender
Height/Weight: 6-2/165
Hometown: Silver Spring, Md.
Club: DC United
High School: The Field School
Before Davidson: 2009 Potomac Valley Athletic Conference Player of the Year playing at The Field School … all-conference selection following junior and senior years … drew team MVP honors as team co-captain during junior and senior years … team finished as PVAC Champions during sophomore and junior year, and as the runners-up senior year … two-year member of DC United Academy Team … participated on the varsity track & field team during junior year … honor student all six years.
Personal: Son of Tim and Mary Kate O'Neill … has a brother, Rory (18) and a sister, Olivia (13) … father, Tim, played soccer at Haverford College … brother, Rory, plays soccer for Weslyean University … uncle, Bill, played basketball at Haverford … major is undeclared – considering sociology or English.
Coach Spear: “Coleman is the third of the eight incoming recruits that attended our summer advanced camp. His positional understanding of defending is sharp, and is only getting better and better. On the ball, he's composed and clean. And his experience with DC United is making him better and better each day. Lots of upside with Coleman.”
Chris Pettiglio
Position: Midfielder/Forward
Height/Weight: 5-10/160
Hometown: Westford, Mass.
Club: FC Greater Boston Bolts
High School: Bishop Guertin
Before Davidson: A 2009 selection to the New Hampshire All-State first team, All-New England Team and NH All-Star Team … an attack midfielder and striker for the FC Greater Boston Bolts and at Bishop Guertin H.S. in Nashua, N.H. … scored 55 goals and 47 assists during high school, including 20 goals and 20 assists during senior year … honor roll student all four years … member of Spanish National Honor Society and the National Honor Society of High School Scholars for Academic Excellence.
Personal: Son of Michael and Debora Pettiglio … has two sisters, Lauren (22) and Nicole (15), and one brother, Michael (20) … major is undeclared.
Coach Spear: “The Bolts are widely regarded as the top youth soccer environment in the Boston area. Chris loves to attack, to create, and to score – that natural and relentless inclination to take to the game the opponent is crucial. His on-field work rate and competitiveness will be wonderful additions to the our program.”
Midfielder/forwards Jake Keator and Chris Pettiglio, midfielders Alex Givens and Nick Grube, defenders Ryan Malden and Coleman O'Neill, and goalkeepers Ben Gold and Max Henry will join the Davidson program in August 2010.
“I speak for the other coaches, current players, and our alumni in warmly welcoming these young men – and their families – to Davidson soccer,” said Spear. “These guys are all smart, gifted, and ambitious. They will not just fit in, they will make us better. Their soccer pedigree is strong, with seven of eight currently competing in US Soccer Development Academy club programs.”
The eight members come from all across the country and include one local product in Henry. Henry, a resident of Mount Ulla, N.C., attends Mooresville High School where he is in the top-five percent of his graduating class and garnered all-conference and all-region honors as the starting goalkeeper and team captain. He also competed for North Meck Soccer Club, captaining the squad during his senior season.
Givens also hails from North Carolina, attending North Raleigh Christian Academy and also competing for CASL Chelsea FC. Gold and Malden both hail from southern California where they both played for Real So Cal. O'Neill, Keator and Pettglio hail from Florida, Virginia, and Massachusetts, respectively.
Complete information on the Davidson Men's Soccer Class of 2014:
Alex Givens
Position: Midfielder
Height/Weight: 5-7/155
Hometown: Raleigh, N.C.
Club: CASL Chelsea FC
High School: North Raleigh Christian Academy
Before Davidson: Captained CASL Chelsea FC Academy club team from 2006-2010 … named to US Soccer Development Academy South Conference “Starting XI” team in 2008 and 2009 … led team to 2008 US Soccer Development Academy finals after claiming regional championship … led team to back-to-back North Carolina State Cup Championships and U.S. Youth Soccer Southern Regional Finals appearances in 2006 and 2007 … named to adidas All-Star team at the 2008 Disney Soccer Showcase (presented by Chelsea FC), and traveled and competed with the team to London for the Chelsea International Youth Cup Tournament in August 2008 … led squad to 2007 Disney Showcase Championship … Region 3 '92 Boys ODP Team selection in 2008, pool member 2006-2007 … 2007 USL National Camp Invitee … NCYSA '92 Boys State ODP team 2005-2007 … captained North Raleigh Christian Academy (NRCA) team during junior and senior seasons, leading the team to back-to-back conference championships, the state semifinals in 2008 and the state semifinals in 2009 … 2009 TISAC Conference Player of the Year, NRCA Most Valuable Player and Ravenscroft Invitational MVP … two-time NC Coaches Association All-State team selection … three-time all-conference team selection … scored 28 goals and 12 assists during senior season … also competed on the varsity track & field team in ninth grade, winning the 1600m conference championship and setting school records in both the 1600m and 800m … served as a kicker for the varsity football team in 10th grade … inducted into National Honors Society … received honors chemistry and physical education department awards.
Personal: Son of Kevin and Tina Givens … has a brother, John (7) and a sister, Amelia (7) … major is undeclared – considering economics or chemistry.
Coach Spear: “Alex is a soccer junkie, and I mean that in the most positive fashion. That shows in his passion, training habits, and his feel for the game. He has wonderful field awareness and techhnique so he can solve problems on the field. He has been a leader and a captain for several years on one of the best teams and clubs in the nation.”
Ben Gold
Position: Goalkeeper
Height/Weight: 6-1/155
Hometown: Woodland Hills, Calif.
Club: Real So Cal
High School: El Camino Real
Before Davidson: Played eight years at Real So Cal Academy … team finished as 2008 Coast Soccer Premier Division U17 undefeated champions, USYSA U16 Region IV champions and natinonal finalists … in 2009, team finished as Northern Ireland Milk Cup Premier Section quarterfinalists and California Premier League North/South U19 champions … club teammate of Davidson classmate Ryan Malden … 2007 and 2008 Cal South ODP … graduated in the top three percent of his class at El Camino Real H.S. … AP scholar with honors and National Hispanic Scholar.
Personal: Son of Charles and Karen Gold … has a sister, Rebecca (23) and brother, David (21) who played soccer at Kenyon College … major is undeclared - considering History and Economics.
Coach Spear: “Ben will fit in very, very well in our goalkeeping corps and full team. His technique, his sense of spacing around the goal, and his communication are all excellent. He's very good at playing the ball with his feet too. I can't wait to watch him grow into a very good college keeper.”
Nick Grube
Position: Midfielder
Hometown: Lake Forest, Ill.
Height/Weight: 5-11/155
Club: Chicago Magic SC
High School: Lake Forest
Before Davidson: Three-year member of Chicago Magic Monoco Academy as a center midfielder … four-year member of Lake Forest H.S. team … all-conference, all-area and all-sectional selection … three-time defensive player of the year … captained squad for two seasons … three-time selection to the North Suburban Conference All-Tournament team … earned North Shore League Scholar Athlete Honors.
Personal: Son of Mark and Lisa Grube … has two younger brothers, Kevin (16) and Joseph (9) … major is undeclared - considering economics and English.
Coach Spear: “Nick shined at our summer camp. He's very comfortable with the ball, and he plays in a fluid, consistent manner. He loves the game and he comes from an awesome club environment that has produced countless Division I players and pros.”
Max Henry
Position: Goalkeeper
Height/Weight: 6-2/170
Hometown: Mount Ulla, N.C.
Club: North Meck SC
High School: Mooresville
Before Davidson: An all-conference and all-region goalkeeper his junior and senior year at Mooresville H.S. … nominated for North Carolina All-State team following senior year … three-year letterwinner playing for coach Stephan Stith, a 1987 Davidson soccer graduate … captained both the Mooresville team and North Meck Soccer Club during senior year … previously played under current Davidson coach Kevin O'Brien at North Meck … in top five percent of high school graduating class … a North Carolina Governor's School nominee … Latin Club President … member of National Honor Society … AP Scholar … earned Academic Letter sophomore year and Academic Achievement award junior year.
Personal: Son of Mike and Kristy Henry, who both graduated from Wake Forest University and are now school teachers in Mooresville, N.C. … father, Mike, played soccer at Wake Forest … sister, Karrin (19), currently attends Wake Forest … major is undeclared – considering physics.
Coach Spear: “We are very excited to bring in a player with local roots. Max's worth ethic, focus, and willingness to improve is amazing, and I think those qualites will be contagious to his Davidson teammates too. His instincts and skills are solid, and it's his fearlessness that raises his game.”
Jake Keator
Position: Forward/Midfielder
Height/Weight: 6-0/170
Hometown: Jacksonville, Fla.
Club: Ponte Vedra
High School: The Bolles School
Before Davidson: Co-captained FHSAA 3A State, Regional and District champion The Bolles School team … named 2009 District Player of the Year after scoring 14 goals and 11 assists … also named to the Florida 3A All-State Team and Florida Times Union All-First Coast First Team … 2009 Wendy's High School Heisman Winner … 2008 team reached state semifinals after claiming the regional and district championships … received 2008 U.S. Marine Corps Honor, Courage, and Commitment Award … played nine years at Ponte Vedra Soccer Club … National Merit Finalist … AP Scholar … member of National Honor Society, National Spanish Honor Society and National Chinese Honor Society … graduated from high school in 2009, but took a gap year.
Personal: Son of William and Kelley Keator … has one sister, Emily (16) … mother, Kelley, played field hockey and lacrosse at Amherst College … aunt, Juile Noyes Laframboise, was a two-time All-American (1994, '95) lacrosse player at Swarthmore College who still holds NCAA records for goals per game in a season and career, and points per game in a career … uncle, Matt Keator played hockey for Trinity College, played hockey professionally in Sweden, scouted for the St. Louis Blues and now is a NHL player agent … major is undeclared – considering English.
Coach Spear: “Jake is the perfect example of coming through our summer advanced camps. He attended for two consecutive summers – the first year he was good, but the second year he was very, very good. Taking a year between high school and college has only made an intelligent, mature, strong young man even more so in each quality.”
Ryan Malden
Position: Defender
Hometown: Agoura Hills, Calif.
Height/Weight: 6-0/165
Club: Real So Cal
High School: Loyola
Before Davidson: Played soccer for two years at Loyola H.S. … named freshmen soccer MVP … varsity soccer “Rookie of the Year” … five-year member of Real So Cal Academy … back-to-back state of California Premier League Champions U17/U19 … back-to-Back CSL Premier League Champions U17/U19 … Real So Cal Development Academy Team Captain 2009-2010 season … selected for the only US soccer team to play in Northern Ireland's Milk Cup in 2009, advancing to the semi-finals … club teammate of Davidson classmate Ben Gold … also played on Loyola football team as a kicker and wide receiver … named outstanding sophomore and junior student … won Swarthmore Book Award … member of Cum Laude Society.
Personal: Son of Chris and Lorraine Malden … has a brother, Kyle (15) … father, Chris, played baseball at Moorpark College in his mid-30's … has traveled to 34 different countries … major is undeclared – considering biology.
Coach Spear: “As a young man, Ryan is remarkably grounded, poised and well travelled – 34 countries! On the field, he is a no-nonsense, physical, aggressive defender. He craves marking great strikers. He is also a proven leader, both by example and by words.”
Coleman O'Neill
Position: Defender
Height/Weight: 6-2/165
Hometown: Silver Spring, Md.
Club: DC United
High School: The Field School
Before Davidson: 2009 Potomac Valley Athletic Conference Player of the Year playing at The Field School … all-conference selection following junior and senior years … drew team MVP honors as team co-captain during junior and senior years … team finished as PVAC Champions during sophomore and junior year, and as the runners-up senior year … two-year member of DC United Academy Team … participated on the varsity track & field team during junior year … honor student all six years.
Personal: Son of Tim and Mary Kate O'Neill … has a brother, Rory (18) and a sister, Olivia (13) … father, Tim, played soccer at Haverford College … brother, Rory, plays soccer for Weslyean University … uncle, Bill, played basketball at Haverford … major is undeclared – considering sociology or English.
Coach Spear: “Coleman is the third of the eight incoming recruits that attended our summer advanced camp. His positional understanding of defending is sharp, and is only getting better and better. On the ball, he's composed and clean. And his experience with DC United is making him better and better each day. Lots of upside with Coleman.”
Chris Pettiglio
Position: Midfielder/Forward
Height/Weight: 5-10/160
Hometown: Westford, Mass.
Club: FC Greater Boston Bolts
High School: Bishop Guertin
Before Davidson: A 2009 selection to the New Hampshire All-State first team, All-New England Team and NH All-Star Team … an attack midfielder and striker for the FC Greater Boston Bolts and at Bishop Guertin H.S. in Nashua, N.H. … scored 55 goals and 47 assists during high school, including 20 goals and 20 assists during senior year … honor roll student all four years … member of Spanish National Honor Society and the National Honor Society of High School Scholars for Academic Excellence.
Personal: Son of Michael and Debora Pettiglio … has two sisters, Lauren (22) and Nicole (15), and one brother, Michael (20) … major is undeclared.
Coach Spear: “The Bolts are widely regarded as the top youth soccer environment in the Boston area. Chris loves to attack, to create, and to score – that natural and relentless inclination to take to the game the opponent is crucial. His on-field work rate and competitiveness will be wonderful additions to the our program.”
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