The University of Akron Athletics
Men's Soccer Announces 2007 Recruiting Class
February 07 | Men's Soccer
AKRON, Ohio - Anthony
Ampaipitakwong (Carrollton, Texas/IMG[Fla.] Academy),
Blair Gavin (Franklin, Tenn./IMG[Fla.] Academy),
Aaron Henkle (Carmel, Ind./Carmel),
Michael Nanchoff (North Royalton, Ohio/Walsh
Jesuit), and
Steve Zakuani
(London, England/Gladesmore Community School) have signed National
Letters of Intent to play soccer at The University of Akron
beginning with the 2007 season.
"I am extremely excited to announce the class of 2007 for our men's soccer program at the University of Akron," said head coach Caleb Porter who is embarking on his second season with the Zips. "This is a special group of young men that we feel possess the talent, character and winning qualities that embody what we look for in our student athletes. The addition of this class should compliment our current players while increasing our overall athleticism, and bolster our attacking options.
"These outstanding players are the 'cream of the crop and not only have they been recognized nationally for their individual talent, garnering accolades such as All-American selections and National Team status, but they have also achieved team success winning state, regional and in some cases national championships with their high school, club, and ODP teams. We are proud of their accomplishments and know they will represent our University and the tradition of our soccer program in a first-class manner."
Ampaipitakwong (pronounced am-PIE-pita-kwong) is a five-time NSCAA/adidas Boys Youth All-America honoree. The 5-7 midfielder spent Fall 2003-Spring 2005 in residency with the U-17 National Team in Bradenton, Fla. before finishing out his high school career at IMG Academy, also in Bradenton. The Carrollton, Texas native was selected for the adidas-ESP (Elite Summer Program) in the summers of 2004 and 2005. ESP is a selection of the top 150 youth players in the country.
"Anthony is one of the top attacking prospects in the country," Porter said. "He is the type of player that can take over a game with his creativity, vision and playmaking abilities. He has a bright future and will be exciting to watch."
Playing with the nationally-recognized Dallas Texans club team, Ampaipitakwong earned a national championship in 2005.
A member of the U-18 National Team pool, Gavin finished his high school career at IMG Academy playing alongside Ampaipitakwong. As a starter with the U-18 squad, Gavin has traveled to tournaments in Slovakia, Spain, Portugal and Mexico. The 6-0 defensive midfielder was one of 20 players called into the U-18 training camp at the Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif. on Jan. 31 as the squad prepared for the 14th Copa Chivas Tournament in Guadalajara, Mexico, Feb. 3-10. He went the full 70 minutes in a 2-0 win over Necaxa on Monday.
"Blair has established himself as one of the top youth players in this country and we expect his impact in college soccer to be the same," Porter said. "His composure as a defensive player and ability to play balls over distance with both feet is rare. In addition his toughness and air play make him a valuable pickup for our program. Blair has all the tools to be a dominant player at Akron."
Gavin played club soccer for the Sereno (Ariz.) Soccer Club which was ranked No. 1 in the nation. The squad won the Arizona state cup four years in a row and was victorious at nationally-acclaimed tournaments such as the Surf Cup, Celtic Cup, Nomads and the Disney Soccer Showcase. Gavin was also selected to participate in adidas-ESP in the summer of 2006. He was a member of the Region 4 ODP team which represents the top players in the West Region.
Henkle was instrumental in Carmel's run to the 2006 Indiana High School Athletic Association state championship with a perfect 23-0 record, earning second-team all-state and IHSAA Tournament MVP honors in the process. Carmel finished No. 2 in the final NSCAA/adidas national rankings in the fall. The 5-10 midfielder was a stalwart in the Carmel lineup, setting a school record with his 64th-consecutive varsity game for the Greyhounds on Sept. 2. He finished his career with 84-straight appearances on the pitch, while also setting school records for career assists (49) and game-winning goals (19).
"Aaron is a flat-out winner and has a tremendous upside," Porter said. "He is an exceptional athlete and is very effective on both sides of the ball. His competitiveness and versatility will make him a valuable asset to our team next fall."
Playing his club soccer with the Carmel Cosmos, Henkle was part of six state championship teams with an overall record of 272-68-33. As team captain, he is the Cosmos' career leader in points scored, goals and assists. He was also a member of the Indiana Olympic Development Program.
A 5-8 midfielder, Nanchoff helped lead Walsh Jesuit to the Ohio Division II state title in 2006, earning NSCAA All-America honors along the way. The Cleveland Plain Dealer Player of the Year, Nanchoff led the Warriors to a 21-2 record with nine goals and a school-record 31 assists. In the Warriors' 2-0 win over Kettering Alter in the state title game, Nanchoff assisted on the game-winning score before putting home the second goal of the night. He was named first-team All-Ohio as a senior and played his club soccer with the five-time state champion Cleveland Internationals.
"Michael understands the game at a different level than most kids," Porter said. "His ability to probe defenses with his passing will make him a dangerous player at the next level and will give our team a different thought process in the attacking third of the field."
The Nanchoff name should be familiar to Akron soccer fans as he is the son of George Nanchoff, a four-year letterwinner and two-time All-American at Akron who went on to play professionally with the Cleveland Force (1981-85). His uncle, Louie, was also a two-time All-American for the Zips who played for the Force (1982-85). Both George and Louie Nanchoff were selected for the 1980 Olympic team which was unable to compete in the summer games in Moscow.
Zakuani, who enrolled at Akron in January and will have freshman eligibility in the fall, attended Gladesmore Community School. The 6-0 forward played with the Arsenal youth team until age 15 (1997-2003) before continuing his soccer career at the Independent Football Academy in London, England from 2003-07. A native of the Republic of Congo, Zakuani comes from a soccer family as his older brother Gabriel plays for Fulham FC of the English Premier League, alongside U.S. National Team members Carlos Bocanegra, Clint Dempsey and Brian McBride.
"Steve is a special player that can break the game open at any time," Porter said. "His quickness and ability to beat players make him difficult to contain. He also has instincts and composure around the goal that you cannot teach. Fans of Akron soccer will enjoy watching this young man play."
Akron returns 13 letterwinners from last year's squad which posted a 13-5-1 record and earned a share of its ninth regular-season Mid-American Conference title. The Zips are scheduled to open the 2007 season on Aug. 31 vs. New Mexico in the Westfield Cup Tournament.
"I am extremely excited to announce the class of 2007 for our men's soccer program at the University of Akron," said head coach Caleb Porter who is embarking on his second season with the Zips. "This is a special group of young men that we feel possess the talent, character and winning qualities that embody what we look for in our student athletes. The addition of this class should compliment our current players while increasing our overall athleticism, and bolster our attacking options.
"These outstanding players are the 'cream of the crop and not only have they been recognized nationally for their individual talent, garnering accolades such as All-American selections and National Team status, but they have also achieved team success winning state, regional and in some cases national championships with their high school, club, and ODP teams. We are proud of their accomplishments and know they will represent our University and the tradition of our soccer program in a first-class manner."
Ampaipitakwong (pronounced am-PIE-pita-kwong) is a five-time NSCAA/adidas Boys Youth All-America honoree. The 5-7 midfielder spent Fall 2003-Spring 2005 in residency with the U-17 National Team in Bradenton, Fla. before finishing out his high school career at IMG Academy, also in Bradenton. The Carrollton, Texas native was selected for the adidas-ESP (Elite Summer Program) in the summers of 2004 and 2005. ESP is a selection of the top 150 youth players in the country.
"Anthony is one of the top attacking prospects in the country," Porter said. "He is the type of player that can take over a game with his creativity, vision and playmaking abilities. He has a bright future and will be exciting to watch."
Playing with the nationally-recognized Dallas Texans club team, Ampaipitakwong earned a national championship in 2005.
A member of the U-18 National Team pool, Gavin finished his high school career at IMG Academy playing alongside Ampaipitakwong. As a starter with the U-18 squad, Gavin has traveled to tournaments in Slovakia, Spain, Portugal and Mexico. The 6-0 defensive midfielder was one of 20 players called into the U-18 training camp at the Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif. on Jan. 31 as the squad prepared for the 14th Copa Chivas Tournament in Guadalajara, Mexico, Feb. 3-10. He went the full 70 minutes in a 2-0 win over Necaxa on Monday.
"Blair has established himself as one of the top youth players in this country and we expect his impact in college soccer to be the same," Porter said. "His composure as a defensive player and ability to play balls over distance with both feet is rare. In addition his toughness and air play make him a valuable pickup for our program. Blair has all the tools to be a dominant player at Akron."
Gavin played club soccer for the Sereno (Ariz.) Soccer Club which was ranked No. 1 in the nation. The squad won the Arizona state cup four years in a row and was victorious at nationally-acclaimed tournaments such as the Surf Cup, Celtic Cup, Nomads and the Disney Soccer Showcase. Gavin was also selected to participate in adidas-ESP in the summer of 2006. He was a member of the Region 4 ODP team which represents the top players in the West Region.
Henkle was instrumental in Carmel's run to the 2006 Indiana High School Athletic Association state championship with a perfect 23-0 record, earning second-team all-state and IHSAA Tournament MVP honors in the process. Carmel finished No. 2 in the final NSCAA/adidas national rankings in the fall. The 5-10 midfielder was a stalwart in the Carmel lineup, setting a school record with his 64th-consecutive varsity game for the Greyhounds on Sept. 2. He finished his career with 84-straight appearances on the pitch, while also setting school records for career assists (49) and game-winning goals (19).
"Aaron is a flat-out winner and has a tremendous upside," Porter said. "He is an exceptional athlete and is very effective on both sides of the ball. His competitiveness and versatility will make him a valuable asset to our team next fall."
Playing his club soccer with the Carmel Cosmos, Henkle was part of six state championship teams with an overall record of 272-68-33. As team captain, he is the Cosmos' career leader in points scored, goals and assists. He was also a member of the Indiana Olympic Development Program.
A 5-8 midfielder, Nanchoff helped lead Walsh Jesuit to the Ohio Division II state title in 2006, earning NSCAA All-America honors along the way. The Cleveland Plain Dealer Player of the Year, Nanchoff led the Warriors to a 21-2 record with nine goals and a school-record 31 assists. In the Warriors' 2-0 win over Kettering Alter in the state title game, Nanchoff assisted on the game-winning score before putting home the second goal of the night. He was named first-team All-Ohio as a senior and played his club soccer with the five-time state champion Cleveland Internationals.
"Michael understands the game at a different level than most kids," Porter said. "His ability to probe defenses with his passing will make him a dangerous player at the next level and will give our team a different thought process in the attacking third of the field."
The Nanchoff name should be familiar to Akron soccer fans as he is the son of George Nanchoff, a four-year letterwinner and two-time All-American at Akron who went on to play professionally with the Cleveland Force (1981-85). His uncle, Louie, was also a two-time All-American for the Zips who played for the Force (1982-85). Both George and Louie Nanchoff were selected for the 1980 Olympic team which was unable to compete in the summer games in Moscow.
Zakuani, who enrolled at Akron in January and will have freshman eligibility in the fall, attended Gladesmore Community School. The 6-0 forward played with the Arsenal youth team until age 15 (1997-2003) before continuing his soccer career at the Independent Football Academy in London, England from 2003-07. A native of the Republic of Congo, Zakuani comes from a soccer family as his older brother Gabriel plays for Fulham FC of the English Premier League, alongside U.S. National Team members Carlos Bocanegra, Clint Dempsey and Brian McBride.
"Steve is a special player that can break the game open at any time," Porter said. "His quickness and ability to beat players make him difficult to contain. He also has instincts and composure around the goal that you cannot teach. Fans of Akron soccer will enjoy watching this young man play."
Akron returns 13 letterwinners from last year's squad which posted a 13-5-1 record and earned a share of its ninth regular-season Mid-American Conference title. The Zips are scheduled to open the 2007 season on Aug. 31 vs. New Mexico in the Westfield Cup Tournament.
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