Head coach Matt Spear (L) & recruiting director Kevin O'Brien (R)
Incoming Davidson Men’s Soccer Class Includes Three Top-150 Recruits
2/8/2011 11:48:50 AM | Men's Soccer
DAVIDSON, N.C. – Kristian Garciaméndez-Rowold (Fairview, Texas), recently ranked No. 46 in the nation among 2011 college soccer recruits by College Soccer News, headlines a Davidson men's soccer recruiting class of seven talented student-athletes for the upcoming fall season announced by head coach Matt Spear and coach/recruiting director Kevin O'Brien on Tuesday.
Alex Feliciano (Virginia Beach, Va.) and Luke Blades (Lakewood, Ohio) also cracked the College Soccer News Top 150 list at No. 116 and No. 145, respectively.
All seven newcomers have played for U.S. Soccer Development Academy clubs. The class also includes local product Drew Brown (Charlotte, N.C.), who is currently attending South Mecklenburg High School and playing for the Charlotte Soccer Academy. John Pace (Raleigh, N.C.) and Gabe Rivera (Durham, N.C.) are also in-state products, and compete for the Capital Area Soccer League (CASL). Max Riehemann (Cincinnati, Ohio) will become the third Columbus Crew Academy player competing for the Wildcats, joining rising juniors Brian McGue and Peter Paras.
“The U.S. Soccer club environments are preparing them well for the transition to the college game in terms of technical speed, reading the game, and physical battles,” said Spear, who will enter his 11th season as head coach of his alma mater. “Each recruit has a tremendous amount of personal pride, positive attitude and team ambition. The team and program will immediately be strengthened by their arrival.”
Garciaméndez-Rowold was selected to play in the New York Red Bulls High School Cup as one of the nation's top entering seniors and captained his Jesuit College Preparatory School of Dallas to a state championship. He also captained his Andromeda club team and was invited to the U.S. U-18 National Team Camp in Carson, Calif.
Feliciano is an all-state high school player, an ODP region player, and has been the leading scorer and captain for his U16 and U18 academy teams. He was selected for and attended Real Madrid CF Select training camp in Madrid, Spain in 2009.
Blades was a senior tri-captain of his NSCAA and ESPN Rise National Champion St. Ignatius High School team. He was a key part of his club team, Internationals Academy, that was ranked fifth in the nation in 2010 and won the Great Lakes Conference Championship. He was named to the All-Great Lakes team and he is an NSCAA All-America Scholar.
The 2011 Davidson men's soccer season will begin in August.
Profiles of all seven student-athletes, listed alphabetically, are below.
Luke Blades
Defender/Midfielder
5-9/140
Lakewood, Ohio
St. Ignatius H.S.
Internationals
What excites you about Davidson Soccer? “Davidson excites me because of the competitiveness of the conference and the potential for Davidson to be great. It's the best overall fit for me.”
Coaches' Comments: Skillful, composed, left-sided player with excellent vision and distribution. Competitive.
Prior to Davidson: Ranked No. 145 nationally in the 2011 recruiting class by College Soccer News … senior tri-captain of NSCAA and ESPN Rise National Champion St. Ignatius High School team … squad claimed the Ohio state championship twice and finished as the runner-up once during his three years on the team … named an NSCAA All-America Scholar and OHSAA Academic All-Ohio senior year … OHSAA All-Ohio second team junior and senior year … club team, Internationals Academy was ranked fifth in the nation in 2010 and won the Great Lakes Conference Championship … named to the All-Great Lakes team … earned First-Honors all semesters in high school.
Drew Brown
Midfielder
6-0/160
Charlotte, N.C.
South Mecklenburg H.S.
Charlotte Soccer Academy
Why did you choose Davidson? “It is an NCAA Division I soccer program with strong academics, as well as top-notch facilities and a tough out of conference schedule.”
Coaches' comments: Powerful and tough wide player that impacts the game with fitness and drive.
Prior to Davidson: Two-time all-conference and all-region player and four-year starter at South Mecklenburg H.S. … team captain and named offensive MVP senior year … member of North Carolina ODP team from 2006-2009 … team finished as Region III finalists in 2009 … played for Charlotte Soccer Academy in 2010 after previously playing for Charlotte United Futbol Club … team was a state finalist in 2009 … honor roll student … member of National Honor Society, National Spanish Honor Society and Beta Club.
Alex Feliciano
Forward
5-11/160
Virginia Beach, Va.
Kellam H.S.
Virginia Rush AJ Auxerre
Why did you choose Davidson? “Superior academics, excellent up and coming soccer program, great coaches that I respect and feel I can work well with.”
Coaches' Comments: Talented, athletic striker that has pace, connects well, and most importantly scores goals – currently has nine of his club team's 21 goals. Excellent feel and attacking instincts.
Prior to Davidson: Ranked No. 116 nationally in the 2011 recruiting class by College Soccer News … ranked as the ninth-best player in the Mid-Atlantic Region by Top Drawer Soccer … an all-state, All-Tidewater, all-academic player in 2010 for Kellam H.S. … named to the 2010 All-Beach District first team after leading the league in scoring … named to the 2010 All-Eastern Region first team after ranking fourth in scoring … two-year team captain of the U-18 and U-16 Virginia Rush teams and Kellam H.S. team … invited to and attended U.S. Soccer Market Training Center Sessions since 2009 … selected for and attended Real Madrid CF Select training camp in Madrid, Spain in 2009 … a member of the Virginia state ODP team from 2005-2008 … played on the State ODP Costa Rica (2008) and Stuttgart, Germany (2007) select teams … selected for the 2009 State ODP Region 1 tournament team and camp … member of National Honor Society, National Society for High School Scholars and Spanish National Honor Society … named to school's Principal's List for receiving all A's.
Kristian Garciaméndez-Rowold
Defender/Midfielder
6-0/180
Fairview, Texas
Jesuit College Preparatory School of Dallas
Andromeda
Why did you choose Davidson? “I love the location and the campus environment. It offers a great pre-med program that is recognized by many Medical Schools in the country. Davidson offered me the possibility of attending a top academic institution while playing soccer at a Division I level. The deciding factors of going to Davidson were: small class sizes (much like my high school), tight community environment, and amazing Honor Code. I feel my teammates have similar objectives to achieve academically while making a positive and noticeable difference in the success of the program at Davidson.”
Coaches' Comments: Smart, seasoned, smooth player that has the abilities to impact the team in various roles. Skillful, physical leader too.
Prior to Davidson: Ranked No. 46 nationally in the 2011 recruiting class by College Soccer News, No. 67 by Top Drawer Soccer (No. 7 in Texas) … selected to play in the New York Red Bulls High School Cup as one of the nation's top entering seniors … named to all-tournament and all-district teams following state championship junior season at Jesuit College Preparatory School of Dallas … captained both Andromeda club and Jesuit high school teams beginning sophomore year … invited to U.S. U-18 National Team Camp in Carson, Calif. during junior year and various Market Training sessions … H.S. team was ranked No. 1 nationally during sophomore season … selected to the USSF U-15/16 Central Conference Starting XI … named to the USSF “All-Star” Academy Team in 2009 … recipient of the Scott McWhorter Award as a junior for demonstrating a genuine love for academics, athletics and a concern for others … member of National Honor Society … named to honor roll all four years … selected to be a member of the executive council of the Multicultural Society which helps organize and lead different groups of the diversity program at Jesuit.
John Pace
Defender/Midfielder
6-0/180
Raleigh, N.C.
Broughton H.S.
CASL
Why did you choose Davidson? “I liked the campus, location, size, academic reputation. I have also have met several alumni who enjoyed their time at Davidson. The soccer program has made it to the NCAA final four in the past and has a great coaching staff.”
Coaches' Comments: Strong, physical, athletic, lefty. Defends and attacks equally well from both the left back and left midfield roles.
Prior to Davidson: An all-state player selected to play in the East-West North Carolina All-Star senior year at Broughton High School … served as team captain … 18 goals and 8 assists as a senior ... selected as an all-conference player as a junior … honored as Raleigh Sports Club Student-Athlete in 2010 … member of state championship team freshman … CASL team finished fourth at Academy National Championships in 2010 … earned distinguished honors (4.2 GPA and above) four consecutive years … member of the National Honor Society … sports editor of school yearbook.
Max Riehemann
Defender
6-0/170
Cincinnati, Ohio
Sycamore H.S.
Columbus Crew Academy
Why did you choose Davidson? “The combination of Division I athletics, excellent curriculum, and location appealed to me - plus the high level of competition, the coaching staff, and the potential to compete nationally.”
Coaches' Comments: Savvy, ball-winning defender, that is very good in the air and leads by example and communication.
Prior to Davidson: Named the Southwest Ohio Player of the Year and the Cincinnati Enquirer All-Star Player of the Year following senior season at Sycamore High School … was also the Greater Miami Conference Player of the Year and high school team MVP after leading the league in total points and goals … named to the All-Midwest Region team and All-Ohio first team … two-time selection to the All-Southwest Ohio First Team, Cincinnati Enquirer All-Star First Team and Greater Miami Conference (2009-10) … member of Greater Miami Conference championship team in 2008 … team finished as district finalists in 2008 and 2009 before claiming the championship in 2010 and finishing as regional finalists … played on the Olympic Development state team and regional team … high honor roll student … inducted into National Honor Society.
Gabe Rivera
Forward
5-10/155
Durham, N.C.
Riverside H.S.
CASL
Why did you choose Davidson? “I took a campus visit that left me awestruck with the school, from the honor code to the gorgeous campus, the strive for excellence and the more than friendly Davidson community.”
Coaches Comments: Speedy, athletic front-runner that doubles that with tenacity and work rate.
Prior to Davidson: Captained Riverside High School team, setting single-season goal and assists records … named all-region following junior season … started nearly every game until an injury shortened senior season … received Golden Boot Award … named to A/B Honor Roll all four years … inducted into Spanish Honors Society as a freshman … member of National Technical Honor Society … elected junior class president.
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