Men’s Soccer: Cadets announce Class of 2016 recruits
NORTHFIELD, Vt. – Having lost only one senior to graduation the Norwich University men's soccer program was looking to fill a few specific holes and hopefully land a couple of difference-makers with its 2012 recruiting class.
Head Coach Kyle Dezotell, who enters his seventh season at the helm of the program with an 82-38-7 career record, believes he and former assistant coach Eric Nordenson have filled those holes with the incoming recruiting class.
"We are excited about our incoming players," Dezotell said. "We expect a few of them to contribute and potentially earn starting positions from day one, another two or three to gain more experience and playing time as the season progresses, and the final few who make the team to improve and contribute in the future."
As has become the norm, the Cadets have offered some of the incoming players roster spots while others have been invited to preseason for tryout purposes.
Headlining the Class of 2016 recruits and expected to contribute immediately to the program is Christian Albrecht. Albrecht is a 6-foot-2 center-back from Albuquerque, N.M. He attended St. Pius High School and played his club soccer with Rio Vista United. At St. Pius, Albrecht was Team MVP, two-time All State, District Player of the Year, first team All State. He captained his team to District Championships in 2009, 2010, and 2011. He also served as captain of his club team Rio Vista '94 and helped lead RVSC to state championships in 2011 and 2012. He will be competing in the Region IV Championships in Phoenix in late June for a chance to advance to the national championships.
Christian will be a civilian studying Civil & Environmental Engineering
Coming from Overland Park, Kan. and Blue Valley West High School is Austen McGuire. Blue Valley West is one of the top high school teams in Kansas and is coached by 2010 National HS Coach of the Year, Alex Aiman. McGuire plays his club soccer with Sporting Blue Valley SC, one of the top club teams in the state having lost in the State Cup final last year. Dezotell is hopeful of McGuire making an immediate impact at outside back or in the midfield in 2012.
Austen received an ROTC scholarship, will serve in the Corps of Cadets, and study Psychology.
Joining the Cadets program this fall from Avon Old Farms prep school will be Alex (AJ) Johnson. AJ served as captain of the always-strong Avon Old Farms team competing in NEPSAC. He was named All NEPSAC during his time as a defender with the program. He is a very athletic, natural leader, and has excellent movement and toughness.
AJ will serve in the Corps of Cadets and be a Management major.
From Holyoke, Mass. and Holyoke Catholic High School comes Brett Valcourt. Brett was a two-year captain for his high school squad. He received All-Western Mass. honors in 2010 and 2011, while also being recognized as All-State in 2011. He is very versatile and his best positions will be identified in preseason. He is a member of Legends AC Soccer club.
Brett will serve in the Corps of Cadets and study Electrical & Computer Engineering.
Not needing to travel far to join the Cadets will be local star Billy Whaley from nearby Northfield High School. Whaley will look to be the latest in a long line of Northfield High players to make an impact with the Cadets over recent times. He joins the likes of former star Kyle Przekaza, last year's captain Ryan Robertson and current player Anthony Amell.
Whaley, a local standout in baseball and hockey will look to use his athleticism as a goalkeeper for the Cadets. He has established himself as one of the best goalkeepers in Vermont over the past two seasons. While not having yet competed soccer-wise at a very high level, Dezotell believes there is plenty of potential for development and thinks Whaley has a chance at factoring in heavily down the road given the proper attitude and determination.
Billy will be a civilian student studying Engineering.
Christian Vergnes joins the Cadets from Pascack Valley High School in New Jersey having garnered All-Patriot Division honors in 2011 as a defender.
Said Gosto will join the Cadets from Essex High School in Essex, Vt. Said helped Essex HS to a state championship in 2010 and helped his club team, Nordic Soccer Club, to the 2012 state title.
Robby Wetmore comes from South Burlington High School where he helped lead the Rebels to a 2011 state championship after an All-Metro Division season. Wetmore played his club soccer with Far Post SC.
Also attending preseason and looking to make an impact will be: Brian Baker, Eric Beecy, Collin Cain, Alex Deahl, and Kyle Niehaus.
