Head coach Steve Nichols has put together the Loyola University Maryland men’s soccer program’s first-ever nationally ranked recruiting class, as the Greyhounds’ Class of 2020 has been ranked 13th by College Soccer News.

Loyola’s incoming class is composed of eight players from the Mid-Atlantic Region, including four from the state of Maryland. Four are ranked nationally, while two others are ranked among the top players in their region.

The Greyhounds welcome Nico Brown (Elkridge, Md./McDonogh), Michael Colao (Little Silver, N.J./Red Bank Regional HS), Francisco Contreras (Frederick, Md./Urbana HS), Josh Fawole (Columbia, Md./Long Reach HS), Shane Kastle (Flanders, N.J./Mount Olive HS), Brian Saramago (New Hyde Park, N.Y./New Hyde Park HS), Barry Sharifi (Jericho, N.Y./Jericho HS) and Jonathan Sousa (Rockville, Md./Rockville HS) to the program.

As a whole, Loyola is the lone Patriot League program to be ranked among the top-20 recruiting classes, while the Greyhounds come in ahead of perennial national powers such as Indiana (No. 14), Michigan State (16), Georgetown (18) and UCLA (20). North Carolina signed the nation’s No. 1 class, followed by Maryland, Akron, Ohio State, Virginia, Wake Forest, Washington, New Mexico, Clemson, California, SMU and Louisville, respectively.

“We are extremely excited about this recruiting class,” Nichols said. “There’s a wealth of talent in this group that will address a lot of our offensive needs. We expect that each of these players will have a chance to make an immediate impact on our team and the Loyola men’s soccer program.”

Nico Brown – F – 5’11/160 – Elkridge, Md./McDonogh (DC United Academy)

"Nico is one of the most dangerous attacking players in the country, as he can beat you in many different ways. He’s very pacey and should give defenders fits.” - Steve Nichols

• Ranked the No. 54 player in the country in the Class of 2016 by College Soccer News
• Member of Jamaican U17 National Team
• Two-time USYSA National Champion and MVP
• 2015 USYSA National Championships Golden Boot Winner
• 2014 All-State and All-Metro Selection for McDonogh HS

Michael Colao – D – 6’2/190 – Little Silver, N.J./Red Bank Regional HS (PDA Academy)

"Michael is a solid defender who anchors the back line of one of the best teams in the country. He should challenge for a starting spot in our back line right away." - Steve Nichols

• 3-star recruit, ranked the No. 23 player in the New Jersey Region by TopDrawerSoccer
• US Soccer Market Training Center and id2 Selection
• Started 95 percent of games at center back for PDA Academy U18s in 2015-16

Francisco Contreras – M – 5’7/140 – Frederick, Md./Urbana HS (Bethesda-Olney Academy)

"Chico is a very talented attacking center midfielder who will provide us the service we need to become dangerous. He has a special individual quality that will make our fans enjoy watching him." - Steve Nichols

• Ranked the No. 66 player in the country in the Class of 2016 by College Soccer News
• Member of the US U17 National Team
• 2013 US Youth Soccer National Championships Best XI
• Two-time US Youth Soccer National Championships – Bronze Medalist

Josh Fawole – F – 6’0/170 – Columbia, Md./Long Reach HS (Baltimore Celtic)

"Josh is a dangerous attacking player who will provide us with the pace we need to get in behind defenders. He’s explosive and powerful and has big time potential." - Steve Nichols

• 2015 Howard County Fan’s High School Player of the Year
• 2015 first-team All-County
• 2013, 2014 second-team All-County
• Top-three goal scorer at 2014 ODP National Championships

Shane Kastl – F – 5’5/130 – Flanders, N.J./Mount Olive HS (PDA Academy)

"Shane is a talented attacking player who comes from a great club that should have him well prepared to make an immediate impact at Loyola. His energy and toughness are qualities that we’re looking forward to having on the team." - Steve Nichols

• 3-star recruit, ranked the No. 20 player in the New Jersey Region by TopDrawerSoccer
• US Soccer Market Training Center Selection
• 2013 Pre-Academy National Champion
• 2012 Pre-Academy National Runner-Up

Brian Saramago – F – 5’10/160 – New Hyde Park, N.Y./New Hyde Park HS (New York Red Bull Academy)

"Brian is one of the top players in the country and has the potential to be a program changer. He’s a very talented goal scorer who should fix a lot of our scoring woes." - Steve Nichols

• Ranked the No. 20 player in the country in the Class of 2016 by O When The Yanks
• Member of the US U17 & U19 National Team
• 31 goals in 32 appearances for NYRB Academy in 2015
• 2015 US Soccer Development Academy Best XI, Eastern Conference
• Five appearances for NYRB II (USL)

Barry Sharifi – M – 5’9/150 – Jericho, N.Y./Jericho HS (New York Red Bull Academy)

"Barry is one of the more skilled players in the Mid-Atlantic region. A proven goal scorer, he could help us in both the middle or up top." - Steve Nichols

• Ranked the No. 90 player in the country in the Class of 2016 by College Soccer News
• 18 goals for Albertson Academy in 2015
• US Soccer Market Training Center Selection
• Won State Championship as a freshman at Jericho HS

Jonathan Sousa – D – 5’7/160 – Rockville, Md./Rockville HS (DC United Academy)

"We feel that Jonathan is one of the best right backs in the country with a proven track record on a very talented team. His ability to consistently perform at a high level will allow him to be a very successful soccer player here at Loyola.” - Steve Nichols

• Six-year member of DC United Academy
• US Soccer Market Training Center Selection
• Member of Maryland ODP
• State Finalist with Calverton Barza Campeones