The University of Akron Athletics
Men's Soccer Announces 2014 Recruiting Class
February 12 | Men's Soccer
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AKRON, Ohio – University of Akron head men's soccer coach Jared Embick announced the addition of eight players to the Zips' 2014 roster Wednesday.
Forward Stuart Holthusen (Wellington, New Zealand/Wanderers SC), midfielder Jesse Garcia-Aguilar (Portland, Ore. (Century HS/Portland Timbers Academy), forward Nate Shultz (Cleveland, Ohio/Mayfield HS/Internationals SC), defender Niko De Vera (Camas, Wash./Camas HS/Portland Timbers Academy), forward Anthony Macchione (Camas, Wash./Camas HS/Portland Timbers Academy), defender Ezana Kahsay (Buffalo, N.Y./International Preparatory School at Grover), goalkeeper Elliott Rubio (Chicago, Ill./Highland Park HS/Chicago Magic SC) and defender Shane Wiedt (Akron, Ohio/Archbishop Hoban HS/Internationals SC) will continue their careers with the Zips this fall.
"We are thrilled about the potential of this class," Embick said. "We have been thorough in our evaluation and are confident of the contributions they will make immediately and over the course of their careers at Akron. After losing six starters, we needed to bring in a strong class that has the skill and ability to play Akron Soccer and I believe we have achieved that. The fall can't get here soon enough."
Akron has now added 12 players to its roster since the start of the new year. St. John's transfer Sean Sepe and freshmen Bryce Cregan, Rich Laryea and Nathan Quirk were announced in January and are currently enrolled in classes at UA.
UA captured Mid-American Conference regular season and tournament titles while posting an overall record of 17-4-1 during Embick's first year as head coach at UA last fall. The Zips were playing their best soccer in the final third of the season – taking a 10-match unbeaten streak (9-0-1) into the NCAA Tournament.
Stuart Holthusen, F, Wellington, New Zealand (Wanderers SC)
Started three matches for New Zealand at the 2013 Under-17 World Cup … was a star striker for Wanderers SC of ASB Premiership … scored a pair of goals and added two assists in eight matches in 2013.
Jesse Garcia-Aguilar, MF, Portland, Ore. (Century HS/Portland Timbers Academy)
Portland Timbers Academy … played two seasons for Century High School … scored six goals and added 11 assists … was a scholar athlete and all-conference honoree ... earned playing time with the Timbers' reserve squad in an International friendly against Monarcas Morelia of Mexico last July.
Nate Shultz, F, Cleveland, Ohio (Mayfield HS/Internationals SC)
Played club soccer for Internationals SC of the U.S. Soccer Development Academy … was the team's leading goal scorer as a junior and senior … four-time Ohio North Cup State Champion and 2012 Region 2 finalist … scored 36 goals and added 11 assists in three full seasons for Mayfield High School … two-time high school district champion, 2011 regional finalist … Region 2 ODP starter ... attended Real Madrid Youth Academy in 2012, playing friendlies against Real Madrid and Rayo Vallacano youth academy teams … ranked the sixth-best player in the Great Lakes Region, according to Top Drawer Soccer.
Niko De Vera, D, Camas, Wash. (Camas HS/Portland Timbers Academy)
Portland Timbers Academy … scored 19 goals and added 27 assists in two seasons at Camas High School … helped lead Camas to a perfect season and the 3A state championship as a freshman, finding the back of the net 13 times while notching 19 helpers, in 2011 … earned playing time with the Timbers' reserve squad ... went to the same high school as fellow Zips recruit and Timbers Academy member Anthony Macchione.
Anthony Macchione, F, Camas, Wash. (Camas HS/Portland Timbers Academy)
Portland Timbers Academy … appeared in three matches with the Timbers' Under-23s during the 2013 PDL playoffs … played the final 20 minutes of an International friendly against Monarcas Morelia of Mexico last July … made 14 appearances, including five starts, for the Timbers' reserve club … currently leading the Timbers' Academy team in goals after bagging a trio of game winners in 26 appearances in 2012-13 … helped lead Camas High School to the state 3A championship in 2011 … 2011 Oregon ODP team member … Region IV ODP team member in 2012 … went to the same high school as fellow Zips recruit and Timbers Academy member Niko De Vera.
Ezana Kahsay, D, Buffalo, N.Y. (International Preparatory School at Grover)
Scored 55 goals and totaled 45 assists as a four-year captain at The International Preparatory School at Grover … found the back of the net 26 times, including six game winners as a sophomore … finished his high school career with a four-year record of 63-7-1 … was a sectional champion and regional finalist as a senior … was born in Asmara, Eritrea … father played professional soccer in Eritrea and uncle played for the Eritrean National Team.
Elliott Rubio, GK, Chicago, Ill. (Highland Park HS/Chicago Magic SC)
Represented various age groups of the Chicago Magic of the U.S. Soccer Federation … did not allow a goal during the regular season and was a finalist for the USYSA National Championship for the Under-15s … is the starting goalkeeper for the U-18 team … U-14 and U-15 teams won the Illinois State Cup … four-year team captain … went to Spain to train with Real Oviedo and Sporting Gijon during the summer of 2013.
Shane Wiedt, D, Akron, Ohio (Archbishop Hoban HS/Internationals SC)
Two-time all-conference selection at Archbishop Hoban High School … played for Everest Soccer Club before joining the Cleveland Internationals of the US Soccer Development Academy ... won Ohio North State Cup Championships in 2010-13.
2014 Zips Men's Soccer Signing Class
Bryce Cregan, D, 6-0, 145, Dallastown, Pa. (Dallastown Area HS/PA Classics)
Niko De Vera, D, 5-5, 145, Camas, Wash. (Camas HS/Portland Timbers Academy)
Jesse Garcia-Aguilar, MF, 5-6, 145, Portland, Ore. (Century HS/Portland Timbers Academy)
Stuart Holthusen, F, 6-0, 165, Wellington, New Zealand (Wanderers SC)
Ezana Kahsay, D, 6-2, 180, Buffalo, N.Y. (International Preparatory School at Grover)
Rich Laryea, MF, 5-9, 150, Toronto, Ont. (Dante Aligheri Academy/Sigma FC)
Anthony Macchione, F, 6-3, 170, Camas, Wash. (Camas HS/Portland Timbers Academy)
Nathan Quirk, F, 5-10, 155, Liverpool, England (Liverpool FC Academy)
Elliott Rubio, GK, 6-5, 210, Chicago, Ill. (Highland Park HS/Chicago Magic SC)
Sean Sepe, F, 5-11, 150, West Islip, N.Y. (West Islip HS/Commack SC United/St. John's [N.Y.])
Nate Shultz, F, 6-0, 160, Cleveland, Ohio (Mayfield HS/Internationals SC)
Shane Wiedt, D, 6-2, 180, Akron, Ohio (Archbishop Hoban HS/Internationals SC)
By Position
Goalkeeper: 1 (Elliott Rubio)
Defender: 4 (Bryce Cregan, Niko De Vera, Ezana Kahsay, Shane Wiedt)
Midfielder: 2 (Jesse Garcia-Aguilar, Rich Laryea)
Forward: 5 (Stuart Holthusen, Anthony Macchione, Nathan Quirk, Sean Sepe, Nate Shultz)
By State
New York: 2 (Ezana Kahsay, Sean Sepe)
Ohio: 2 (Nate Shultz, Shane Wiedt)
Washington: 2 (Niko De Vera, Anthony Macchione)
Illinois: 1 (Elliott Rubio)
Oregon: 1 (Jesse Garcia-Aguilar)
Pennsylvania: 1 (Bryce Cregan)
By Country
United States: 9 (Bryce Cregan, Niko De Vera, Jesse Garcia-Aguilar, Ezana Kahsay, Anthony Macchione, Elliott Rubio, Sean Sepe, Nate Shultz, Shane Wiedt)
Canada: 1 (Rich Laryea)
England: 1 (Nathan Quirk)
New Zealand: 1 (Stuart Holthusen)
