Meet the 2018 Zips Men's Soccer Recruiting Class with Head Coach Jared Embick
Hey Zips Fans,
Recruiting class announcements are an exciting part of any collegiate sports fans year. This year proved to live up to the hype as the Akron Zips Men's Soccer team announced 10(ten!) new recruits for the 2018-19 campaign. Today, we here at Just a Blog From Akron (with the help of our friend, Akron Men's Soccer Head Coach Jared Embick!) will introduce you to that recruiting class!
twitter @zipscoachembick
Sam Tojaga - Defensive Midfielder - Erie, PA
What we know:
- Cleveland Internationals Academy Product
- Real Salt Lake U-19 - Reached championship bracket in Generation Adidas Cup
- Attended camps at Penn State and Louisville
- #112 Recruit - College Soccer News Rankings
- Shows versatility: has played central attacking and central defensive midfield
Carlo Rittacio - twitter @carlorittacio
Carlo Ritaccio - Centerback - Westbury, NJ
What we know:
- 63rd Ranked 2018 Recruit
- #1 2018 Prospect in New York State
- BW Gottschee Academy Product
JE: He is a hard nosed defender, very tough marker and in the tackle, communicates well and has a great personality. His communication and leadership on the field really stood out. He is a talented player that has been with the U-17 national team. With us losing 3 starters in the back half I was looking for toughness and personality to go along with talent and he fits both of those categories. I expect him to be in the mix right away to gain significant time and I am counting on his communication to really help this team gel quickly.
ZN: What is it about the New Jersey / New York region that creates these great players? Adam Najem, Bryan Gallego, etc. Lots of talent from that area.
JE: I think with the New York, New Jersey, Long Island players you get personality and confidence to go with work rate. All of our guys were tough kids that worked hard but were some of the personalities of the team. We have had a lot of success in that area finding players that fit in well with Akron and we will continue to look there.
Daniel Oliveira - Defender - Lisbon, Portugal
What we know:
- Sporting CP Academy
- 3 Time team captain
- Championship experience
- International Tourney experience
ZN: One of two players from Portugal, Any similarities between him and Moutinho?
JE: He is from a different academy but is in another high level academy in Portugal. Joao actually recommended him to us.
ZN: Lots of big club academies on his resume, how valuable is that experience?
JE: I think when you play for big academies you understand the daily competition and struggle for playing time. To succeed in those academies you have to have talent but also a level of confidence.
As always, it was excellent hearing from Coach Embick and its easy to see that Zips Men's soccer fans have tons to look forward to with the class of 2018!
Tyler Warner
Diogo Pacheco - Winger / Forward - Lisbon, Portugal
What we know:
- GS Lorces
- F.C. Alverca Academy
- Has helped capture a U-19 Vice Championship
Ivan Nikolic - @SigmaFC Twitter
Ivan Nikolic - Forward - Toronto, ON
What we know:
- Sigma FC product
- Proven Scorer
- Serbian National team experience
- Red Star Belgrade experience
- Top Goal Scorer all 4 seasons at Silverthorn Collegiate Institute
- Watch this highlight video via Sigma FC
JE: He is an intelligent forward that links up very well with his teammates and has great movement off the ball. What drew me to him was his determination, work rate and his maturity in his game. Always made plays in the box and really understands how to play up top. He can fit in as a 9 or as an attacking mid. We really will count on his link up play and his hard determined runs in the final third.
ZN: He's a Sigma FC product. If I remember correctly, a few other Zips came through that program as well, correct?
JE: We have few Sigma players. It is a great club that plays similar to us. It is a great club for us to find players.
Marco Milanese - Centerback - Isernia Italy
What we know:
- Played for Isernia in the Eccelenza league
- Team captain for Italian U-15 and U-17 squads
- Played for Napoli U-17's
Cristian Gennaro - Attacking Midfielder - Biella, Italy
What we know:
- Played for Orizzonti United, Fulgor Valdengo and Citta di Cossato
- Known for his incredible touch
ZN: Lots of big club academies on his resume, how valuable is that experience?
JE: I think when you play for big academies you understand the daily competition and struggle for playing time. To succeed in those academies you have to have talent but also a level of confidence.
Nick McCausland - Defender - Akron OH
What we know:
- Played at Green High School and Internationals Academy.
- All-Ohio as a junior
- Twice all district and all conference.
- Member of a national runner up Futsal Squad
Colin Biros - Twitter @B_biros
Colin Biros - Winger / Forward / Midfield - Canton, OH
What we know:
- Ranked 55 Nationally in 2018 by topdrawersoccer
- 20th Ranked midfielder in the country
- Crew SC academy
Dion Akhigbe - Winger / Forward - Copley, OH
What we know:
- Ohio Youth Soccer Association North
- Undefeated Season and Division 1 Midwest Regional League Champion in 2013-14
- Led Copley to a suburban league championship in 2015
As always, it was excellent hearing from Coach Embick and its easy to see that Zips Men's soccer fans have tons to look forward to with the class of 2018!
Class of 2015
tylerwarnercable@gmail.com
@t_w_93
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