Messiah Announces 2008 Recruiting Class, Roster
As iron sharpens iron: Senior-to-be JD Binger looks to lead Messiah's talented freshman class this fall.
Grantham, PA — There will be seven new faces on the Messiah College men’s soccer team as head coach Dave Brandt looks to reload for the upcoming 2008 season. The Falcons return six starters from 2007 as well as Josh Sanders, who will be a fifth-year senior after receiving a medical redshirt last fall. Sanders was the 2006 NCAA Division III Final Four Offensive MVP and will be looking to help All-American and senior-to-be JD Binger in the program's bid to return to the NCAA Tournament for the 12th consecutive season.
The program is excited about this new recruiting class as they are a well rounded group, featuring two backs, two midfielders and three attacking players. The two backs — Sam Woodworth and Jordan Sands — provide Messiah some versatility, as either could see time as a holding center midfielder. Derek Black and Tom Renko are both accomplished midfielders, with Black possibly taking on a more attacking role while Renko could see more time as a holding center midfielder. Danny Thompson, Trevor Lee, and Kent Ramirez compose the three attacking positions of the incoming class. Thompson and Ramirez have both played as central attacking players, but will more likely see time as wingers. Lastly, the Messiah coaching staff says Trevor Lee has the opportunity to have an impact in the attack at either target or attacking center midfield.
A brief bio of each newcomer follows. Fans can now view Messiah's official 2008 roster as well.
Derek Black |
|
Position: |
Attacking Center Midfielder |
Hometown: |
Pottstown, PA |
High School: |
Coventry Christian High School |
Club Team: |
Reading Rage Super Y |
Stats: |
107 goals in high school career |
Honors: |
Super Y League Player of the Week; Super Y League Olympic Development Program National Camp |
Snapshot: |
A skillful, attacking player that can distribute as well as create his own shot. |
Trevor Lee |
|
Position: |
Forward |
Hometown: |
Seaford, DE |
High School: |
Seaford High School |
Club Team: |
Hockessin |
Honors: |
Delaware All-State as a junior and senior; National Soccer Coaches Association of America: All-Region |
Snapshot: |
Hard-nosed target who combines skill with power and a knack for finishing. |
Jordan Sands |
|
Position: |
Central Defender |
Hometown: |
Reading, PA |
High School: |
Schuylkill Valley High School |
Club Team: |
Reading Rage Super Y |
Honors: |
Berks County All-Division Team; Berks County All-County Team |
Snapshot: |
A solid, 6-3 centerback who is technically clean and can distribute effectively. |
Danny Thompson |
|
Position: |
Right Wing |
Hometown: |
Hudson, OH |
High School: |
Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy |
Club Team: |
Ambassadors |
Honors: |
1st Team All-District; 1st Team All-Conference; High School State Champions; Northeast Ohio “Player of the Year”; Akron Beacon Journal “Player of the Year”; Record Courier “Player of the Year” |
Snapshot: |
A dynamic right winger that is comfortable taking defenders on 1v1. |
Kent Ramirez |
|
Position: |
Right Wing |
Hometown: |
Harrisburg, PA |
High School: |
Harrisburg Christian High School |
Club Team: |
CASA |
Honors: |
Pennsylvania All-State; All-Conference |
Snapshot: |
Originally from Guatemala, Ramirez is a crafty right winger with an international flair. |
Tom Renko |
|
Position: |
Center Midfield |
Hometown: |
Ephrata, PA |
High School: |
Ephrata High School |
Club Team: |
PA Classics |
Honors: |
Lancaster-Lebanon League MVP; First Team Lancaster-Lebanon League |
Snapshot: |
A strong technically clean center midfielder that will step into the 6/8 role well. |
Sam Woodworth |
|
Position: |
Wing-Back/Center Midfield |
Hometown: |
Boothwyn, PA |
High School: |
Garnet Valley High School |
Club Team: |
Voorhees Hurricanes |
Honors: |
All-Central League; All Delaware County |
Snapshot: |
A very clean technical and fundamentally sound player that can play 6/8 or right back. |
