The University of Akron Athletics
Akron Unveils Talented 2017 Men's Soccer Signing Class
February 02 | Men's Soccer
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AKRON, Ohio - The University of Akron men's soccer squad under the leadership of fifth-year head coach Jared Embick, has announced a talented seven-member signing class for 2017.
Donning the Akron uniform this fall will be Marc Alexander (Pittsburgh, Pa.), David Egbo (Saltzburg, Pa.), Faisal Ghaffur (Mississauga, Ontario), Braden Petno (Hudson, Ohio), Daniel Strachan (Lakewood, Ohio), Declan Watters (Dublin, Ireland) and Wan Kuzain Wan Kamal (Carbondale, Ill.).
Additionally, Morgan Hackworth (Wallingford, Pa.) has enrolled at Akron this spring and will participate with the Zips during the spring campaign.
The signing class features a pair of players ranked among the top 150 players nationally in the Boys IMG Academy 150 as rated by TopDrawerSoccer.com in Egbo (No. 74) and Wan Kamal (No. 113)
College Soccer News rates Wan Kamal (No. 92) among its list of the top 150 players in the United States.
"I have to give credit to my assistant coaches (Leo, Ger, and TJ), they have done a great job of identifying Akron players at the positions we need," Embick commented. "We have added great quality in defense, midfield and forward. We have expectations that these talented incomers will compete right away with the returning players to fill the void of losing five starters. I am excited to the potential of the class and our team in the fall."
A Pittsburgh, Pa., native, Alexander, a defender, helped direct the Kiski School to three straight state tournament semifinal appearances. Additionally, he gained valuable experience playing for Century V FC and the Region One Olympic Developmental Program. He has tabbed as his team most valuable player as a junior at the Kiski School as well as being selected to the all-tournament team at the Gateway City Soccer Classic. He was rated as the ninth-ranked player in the Pennsylvania Region in the Fall 2016 rankings. Alexander is regarded as a skillful athletic defender, who can play outside or center back.
A Saltzburg, Pa., native, Egbo, a forward, led the Kiski School to three straight state tournament semifinal appearances en route to scoring 49 goals and registering 28 assists. He was named the Cougars' 2016 Most Valuable Player after leading his squad in goals and assists. He was selected to compete in the 2016 TopDrawerSoccer.com High School Soccer All-American game in Raleigh, N.C. He is rated as the No. 5 player in the Pennsylvania Region for Spring 2017. Egbo is a very talented forward who will provide size and skill.
Ghaffur, a defender, is a member of the Sigma FC Soccer Club, where he appeared in 14 contests in 2016 and ranked fifth in minutes played. He gained valuable international experience playing against professional youth academies in Germany, Holland and Belgium. Was also a member of the Ontario Soccer League U21 at the age of 16. Ghaffur is a very intelligent and technical defender/midfielder.
A midfielder/forward, Petno played for Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy and earned valuable playing experience with the Internationals Academy of the U.S. Soccer Development Academy. A four-year letterwinner, Petno garnered second-team all-state and first-team all-district accolades as a senior after leading the Royals a 10-6-2 record, while leading the team in scoring. Petno has great size and skill and is very dangerous around the box.
A defender, Strachen also gained valuable experience playing for Internationals Academy of the U.S. Soccer Development Academy. He was rated as the 18th-ranked player in the Great Lakes Region in the Fall 2016 rankings. Strachen is a mobile and skillful center back/defensive mid, who plays with great composure and toughness.
A native of Dublin, Ireland, Watters, a defender, is a member of the Shamrock Rovers Football Club. He helped guide his squad to a U-17 national championship in 2015. Watters's strength is he is a tall, experienced center back, who brings maturity and experience to our defensive group.
Hailing from Carbondale, Ill., Wan Kamal, a midfielder, played with Sporting KC Academy and has gained valuable experience with U-17 United States National Team. He is rated as the No. 3 player in the Heartland Region for Spring 2017 and the 39th-rated midfielder nationally. Wan Kamal competed at the TopDrawerSoccer.com Best XI Winter Florida Showcase. Wan Kamal is a talented attacking midfielder, who shares similar qualities to all the past great Akron attacking midfielders.
A Wallingford, Pa., native, Hackworth comes to Akron after playing his first two campaigns at Syracuse University where he appeared in eight games. He played for the U-16 and U-18 Philadelphia Union Academy teams and led his team to fifth-place finish at 2014 Generation Adidas Cup. A defensive midfielder with very good ball-winning skills, Hackworth has a great eye for the pass and will provide leadership.
Embick anticipates the addition of several student-athletes to the Zips' 2017 signing later in the spring, please follow GoZips.com to further details.
2017 Zips Men's Soccer Signing Class
Marc Alexander, defender, Pittsburgh, Pa. (Kiski School/ODP)
David Egbo, forward, Saltzburg, Pa. (Kiski School/ODP)
Faisal Ghaffur, defender, Mississauga, Ontario (Sigma FC)
Braden Petno, midfielder/forward, Hudson, Ohio (CVCA/Internationals Academy)
Daniel Strachan, defender, Lakewood, Ohio (Internationals Academy)
Declan Watters, defender, Dublin, Ireland (Shamrock Rovers Football Club)
Wan Kuzain Wan Kamal, midfielder, Carbondale, Ill. (Sporting KC)
