The University of Delaware men's soccer team will welcome seven newcomers for the upcoming season as the Blue Hens announced their 2015 recruiting class Tuesday.

The new Blue Hens will look to build upon the success of the 2014 squad, which won the Colonial Athletic Association regular season title for the first time in program history.

“The success of recent years has seen our program enjoy national exposure on a consistent basis," said University of Delaware head coach Ian Hennessy. "In the past two seasons we have drawn over 22,000 people to watch our home games here in the new $1.5 million Grant Stadium. The increased profile allows us to attract even more competitive academy players like the incoming class of 2015."

Delaware's incoming class consists of five freshmen and two transfers. Incoming freshmen Soren Frost and Erik Rishel both played at the PA Classics Academy, while transfers Ryan Talbot (South Florida) and Daniel Laguna (Manhattan) will add Division I experience to the UD roster.

"We are delighted to welcome our class of 2015 and congratulate them on their achievements that have allowed them to play NCAA Division I soccer at the University of Delaware," said Hennessy. "They have met the ever-increasing academic and soccer criteria for our school and we believe they have the strength of personality for continued growth as student-athletes at this wonderful university."

The seven players who will join the Blue Hens roster at the beginning of the 2015-16 academic year bring a wide-array of skills that will help future UD squads compete for championships.

"I would like to thank assistant coaches Jon Scheer and Keith Duncan for helping me at the many recruiting events and I.D. camps, for pouring over the hundreds of videos we receive each year, and the follow-ups required," said Hennessy. "They deserve all the credit for recruiting these talented young men.”

The Hens finished 2014 with a 13-6-1 record and will enter the 2015 season looking for their fourth double-digit win total in five years.
2015 Signees

Soren Frost (Lebanon, Pa., PA Classics Academy, D)

2014 Stats:

- "Soren is a very bright young man, who comes to us along with teammate Erik Rishel from the PA Classics Academy where they received some excellent coaching under Steve Klein." - Ian Hennessy

Rob Gillin (Marlton, N.J., Match Fit Academy, M)

- "Robert is a very technical player with a good soccer I.Q., which is something we prize highly in our program. Robert was one of the better players at our I.D. Camp where he also fell in love with our campus." - Ian Hennessy

Daniel Laguna (Madrid, Spain, Manhattan College, F)

- "Daniel is an attacking player that will join us at a rich time in our programs history. We have been one of the most prolific scoring teams in the country these past two years. Daniel will add a different dimension to our group, and hopefully can complement our two-time All American, Guillermo Delgado, to add even more goals." - Ian Hennessy

Erik Rishel (York, Pa., PA Classic Academy, M)

- "Erik has spent the last couple of years playing in, arguably the toughest group, in the USSDA Academy. I am confident that the USSDA environment will allow for a smoother transition to the speed of play expected at the college level." - Ian Hennessy

John Schroeder (Houston, Tx., Philadelphia Union Academy, D)

- "John is a very attack-minded defender, which suits our style of play. He has been part of one of the more progressive MLS youth academy environments this country has seen with the Philadelphia Union Academy, and with his move to Delaware, he should compete for playing time early." - Ian Hennessy

William Stinger (McLean, Va., Arlington Strikers, GK)

- "Cole came to us through our I.D. Camp at Delaware. He has an excellent work ethic and reminds us of our former goalkeeper, Kris Devaux, who has just signed professionally in Norway." - Ian Hennessy

Ryan Talbot (Medford, N.J., South Florida, D)

- "Ryan is a versatile defender who has a very solid pedigree. Our team has lost almost all of our starting defenders this year, so we would like Ryan to compete for playing time from the outset." - Ian Hennessy