EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Evansville men's soccer head coach
Mike Jacobs announced the signing of eight student-athletes, highlighted by an NSCAA All-American, that will continue their athletic and academic careers at UE Wednesday morning. The Purple Aces' 2014 signing class includes: Cameron Cool (Midway, Ky.), Desmond Dolphy (Belleveille, Ill.), Myles Fullen (Nolensville, Tenn.), Cameron Gilreath (Evansville, Ind.), Matthew Keller (Carmel, Ind.), Ian McGrath (New Lenox, Ill.), Arlick Ntabana (Burlington, Ontario) and Chris Shuck (Harrodsburg, Ky.).
"The efforts of our coaching staff in this recruiting process have assisted in adding an incoming group that gives us quality personnel and depth at every position," Jacobs said. "With the solid nucleus we have returning, we should have all the pieces we need to be an outstanding team in 2014. We are excited to welcome this group to the University of Evansville Purple Aces family."
CAMERON COOL
5-7, 150, Midway, Ky. (Scott County HS)
Notable: Cool comes to the University of Evansville with an impressive resume at both the youth and high school levels. The industrious midfielder was selected as an NSCAA High School All-American and participated in the East/West game in Philadelphia, Pa., in December. A two-time all-state selection in Kentucky, Cool tallied 45 goals and 39 assists in his career at Scott County High School. He was a member of the USYSA Region II (Midwest) Olympic Development Program and the Kentucky Development Program, in addition to playing for the Lexington Football Club.
Jacobs on Cool: "Cameron is a box-to-box midfielder who contributes on both sides of the ball. He has the ability to create and finish scoring chances for himself and his teammates, and his work rate and ability to compete makes him a real handful to play against."
DESMOND DOLPHY
6-1, 160, Belleville, Ill. (Belleville East HS)
Notable: Dolphy is a dynamic attacking player who figures to contribute to an explosive Aces' offensive that was ranked among the nation's leaders in scoring last season. Recognized by
Top Drawer Soccer as one of the top players in the Heartland Region, Dolphy has been a standout for the Saint Louis Scott Gallagher Metro of the United States Soccer Development Academy. He was a recipient of the Athletic Scholar Award at Belleville East High School.
Jacobs on Dolphy: "Desmond has the potential to be an outstanding player at the collegiate level. His speed and athleticism makes him a threat as an attacking player, and he is versatile enough to play a number of different roles."
MYLES FULLEN
6-1, 160, Nolensville, Tenn. (Ravenwood HS)
Notable: Fullen arrives at UE as one of the top high school goalkeepers in the state of Tennessee. An all-district selection at Ravenwood High School, where he played for former University of Evansville standout Jose Londono, Fullen led the Raptors to back-to-back state championship tournament appearances. A member of the Tennessee Olympic Development Program, Fullen was a key member of the Tennessee Soccer Club that advanced to the 2013 Championship of the US Youth Soccer Regional Premier League in Region III, as well as the CASL Showcase title. Fullen is a member of the National Honor Society and was an Aces Soccer Camp All-Star in 2013.
Jacobs on Fullen: "Myles has the potential to be a very successful player at the collegiate level and is an athletic shot-stopper."
CAMERON GILREATH
5-6, 135, Evansville, Ind. (Harrison HS)
Notable: Gilreath is a versatile player who arrives at UE after an outstanding high school career at Harrison High School. A four-year starter for the Warriors, the all-state selection finished his career among the school's all-time leaders in assists and scoring. In addition, Gilreath was an all-city selection as the team captain of his Harrision squad. A member of the National Honor Society, Gilreath joins former high school teammates Patrick Hodges and Eric Teppen as a Purple Ace. He plays his club soccer for the Evansville Soccer Club, under current UE assistant coach Marshall Ray. Gilreath was an Aces Soccer Camp All-Star in 2013.
Jacobs on Gilreath: "Cameron has grown up around our program and we are excited to have him join us here at UE. He has the potential to play a number of different roles on the field at the collegiate level."
MATTHEW KELLER
6-2, 170, Carmel, Ind. (Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School)
Notable: Keller has been a very successful player at the youth and high school levels. A standout for the Indiana Fire Academy in the United States Soccer Development Academy, Keller has also led his Carmel United team to an Indiana State Cup championship. As a captain at Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School, Keller helped the Braves to a regional final as a junior. Keller is a member of the National Honor Society and was an Aces Soccer Camp All-Star in 2013.
Jacobs on Keller: "Matthew has performed very well in a good standard at the youth level and figures to add depth to our goalkeeping corps. He is a solid decision-maker with excellent distribution and has strong leadership skills."
IAN MCGRATH
6-3, 180, New Lenox, Ill. (Lincoln-Way West HS)
Notable: McGrath arrives at the University of Evansville after a standout career at the youth and high school levels. As a first team all-state selection and all-region honoree, McGrath was identified as one of the top 15 players in Illinois by the IHSSCA. A four-year starter and captain for Lincoln-Way West, McGrath was named to the Chicago Fire All-Area and
Herald News All-Area teams. He culminated his high school career as the all-time leader in goals and points at Lincoln-Way West. He is the team captain of his Chicago Fire Juniors squad and led the team to a Premiership title last season. McGrath was an Aces Soccer Camp All-Star in 2013.
Jacobs on McGrath: "Ian has performed very well in a good standard at the youth level and is a versatile enough player to add depth in a number of different roles."
ARLICK NTABANA
5-8, 150, Burlington, Ontario (École Secondaire Académie Catholique Mère-Teresa)
Notable: Ntabana arrives at the University of Evansville as one of the more accomplished players in Ontario, Canada. A product of the same Sigma FC program that produced current Aces' standout Mark Anthony Gonzalez, Ntabana helped lead his team to tournament titles in the United States and Canada by winning the 2013 Potomac Memorial Day Tournament title and finishing runner-up at the Score at the Shore Showcase. Ntabana also played a key role in his Sigma FC team winning the SAAC U21 Showcase championship. Prior to joining Sigma FC, Ntabana was the leading goal scorer for the Burlington Falcons, who were the runner-up of the Mississauga International Tournament.
Jacobs on Ntabana: "Arlick is a dynamic and versatile midfielder. He is a creative player that has the potential to influence the game on both sides of the ball, and has been a leader in each of the teams he plays in."
CHRIS SHUCK
6-4, 175, Shelbyville, Ky. (Martha Layne Collins HS)
Notable: Shuck arrives at UE as a strong, physical defensive presence with an exceptional youth soccer pedigree. He has played a critical role in leading his team to five-straight Kentucky State Cup championships. As a member of the River City Rovers, Shuck was a key component to the team's 2013 Disney Showcase championship. He was an all-state and all-region honoree in Kentucky at Martha Layne Collins High School in 2012 and 2013, as his team's leading scorer from his center back position. Shuck is also a member of the National Honor Society and was an Aces Soccer Camp All-Star in 2013.
Jacobs on Shuck: "Chris has performed very well in a good standard at the youth level and figures to compete for a role on our backline. The combination of his range of passing and his ability to impose the game on both sides of the ball will make him an asset immediately."
