WEST LONG BRANCH, NJ – Monmouth University Men’s Soccer Head Coach Robert McCourt has announced another highly-touted recruiting class for the 2016 season. McCourt’s teams have advanced to the NCAA Tournament in five of the last 10 seasons and earned conference regular season championships in nine of his 12 years at the helm. In addition, Coach McCourt ranks among the top active Division I men’s soccer coaches with a .690 winning percentage (144-52-46).

MEET THE CLASS

John Antunes

Fairfield, NJ

5’8” 155 lbs.

Midfield

St. Benedict’s Prep High School, Newark NJ

2015 - High School

New Jersey Gatorade State Player of the Year

First Team All-American

MSG Varsity Metro Player of the Year

New Jersey State Prep Player of the Year

National Champions with St. Benedict’s Prep, 3^rd National Championship in 4 Years (NJ State Record)

Club- Cedar Stars

U.S. Club National Champions 2015

Ironbound Premier Strykers

Super Y League National Champions 2014

McCourt on Antunes:

“Johnny has had an incredible amount of high level experiences in high school, club and also having been involved with a few youth national team camps. He is very mature for a player of his age. Johnny can play anywhere in the midfield and also as an outside back. He won three national championships at soccer powerhouse St. Benedict’s Prep under legendary coach Jimmy Wandling. He is the 2015 NJ Gatorade High School Player of the Year and at First Team High School All-American. John’s Dad, Manny, and I won a few High School State Championships together back in our day.”

Jake Areman

Freehold, NJ

5’9” 155 lbs.

Midfield/Forward

Colts Neck High School/University of Maryland

Maryland

1 Goal and 2 Assists in two seasons at the University of Maryland

Big 10 Regular Season Champions 2014

Big 10 Tournament Champions 2014, 2015

Club - PDA (United States Development Academy)

U-18 USSDA National Champions 2013

Academy Best IX for entire United States

McCourt on Areman:

“Jake brings a wealth of experience from both the University of Maryland and winning a national championship at PDA soccer club. He is a crafty midfielder with a great range of passing. Two years of experience at Maryland will have made him battle tested for the everyday rigors of college soccer. Jake was a highly-touted recruit coming out of high school. We are happy to have him on board.”

Jacob Curtis

Little Silver, NJ

6’4” 190lbs.

Defender

Red Bank Regional High School

2015 - High School

Team Captain

All-State Honorable Mention

Club - Wall Red Devils

2014 State Cup Champions

2015 State Cup Finalist

McCourt on Curtis:

“Jacob is a big, strong, athletic defender. He provides a tremendous presence as a central defender. He is very strong in the air and tough in 1v1 situations. Jacob has a strong will and determination to win, which will help him in his transition to the college game. Jacob was also player for club Coach Darren Spurrier for the local Ocean Soccer Club and, more recently, Wall Soccer Club. Jacob starred locally for Sean Reid at Red Back Regional High School.”

Mike Luke

Martinsville, NJ

5’8” 145lbs.

Defender

Bridgewater-Raritan High School

Club - PDA U.S. Soccer Development Academy

U-18 USSDA National Champions 2014

Team Captain

McCourt on Luke:

“Michael is a left-sided defender who can also play midfield. He brings a wealth of high level experience from youth soccer. Michael’s PDA academy team won a national championship. He is very versatile and likes to get forward from the back. His range of passing is fantastic and will fit in well with our style of playing out of the back.  Michael comes from a soccer family. His brother, Derek, was one of our more accomplished players and has just signed a professional contract with FC Cincinnati.” 

Andres Martinez

Paterson, NJ

6’0” 165lbs.

Defender

St. Benedict’s Prep High School, Newark NJ

2015 - High School

Team Captain

National Champions 2015 (10th in school history)

Club - Cedar Stars

U.S. Club National Champions 2015

PDA U.S. Soccer Development Academy

USSDA U-18 National Champions 2013

McCourt on Martinez:

“Andy is a defender who also can play holding central midfield. He is a savvy soccer player who reads the game very well. Andy starred at high school soccer powerhouse St Benedicts Prep for Coach Wandling, winning three national championships and No. 1 rankings in the country. He also plays for Cedar Stars Soccer Club.  Andy is technically sharp for a defender. He combines well with his teammates and is solid defensively.”  

Cristian Martinez

Mine Hill, NJ

6’2” 170lbs.

Defender

Dover High School

Club

U-17 United States Men’s National Team Residency Program

New York Red Bulls- U.S. Soccer Development Academy

McCourt on Martinez:

“Cristian is a big, strong central defender. He plays for one of the top academies in the country - New York Red Bulls U18 Academy. Cristian was also a member of the USA U 17 National Team program in Bradenton, Florida. He has enjoyed success at every level in the youth soccer ranks, which will help him in his transition to college soccer.  A big, strong defender with good technical ability on the ball, we expect big things from Cristian in the Monmouth jersey.” 

Colin Muller

Bethlehem, PA

6’1” 175lbs.

Defender/Midfield

Liberty High School

2015 - High School

First Team All-State Pennsylvania

NSCAA All-Region

Team Captain

Club - Lehigh Valley United

Qualified for Nationals in 2015 and 2016

Member of Region 1 Olympic Development Program

McCourt on Muller:

“Colin is a product of the Lehigh Valley Soccer Club.  Colin played for Coach Mike Gorni at Lehigh, who has produced a number of successful Division I standout players. Colin is a defender, but can also play defensive midfield. He is a technical player who is also a good defender. Colin is a tactically-smart player who understands defensive shape, but also combines well when his team is in possession. His versatility will help him in his transition to college soccer.” 

Geoff Schaefer

Bridgeton, NJ

5’10” 150lbs.

Midfield/Forward

Woodstown High School

2015 - High School

Second Team All-State

First Team All-South Jersey

Team Captain

Club - South Jersey Elite Barons

Qualified for 2016 Nationals

McCourt on Schaefer:

“Geoff is a pacey wide midfielder or forward. He is very crafty on the ball in 1v1 situations and combines well in the final third. Geoff played for John Thomson at the SJ Barons Soccer Club. Playing for John will certainly have him prepared for the everyday environment of college soccer. Geoff is a real exciting, versatile player who can have an immediate impact for our program. I am excited to work with him.”

Ryan Wells

Ocean, NJ

6’0” 160lbs.

Defender

Ocean High School

2015 - High School

First Team All-Group III

First Team All-Shore Conference

Central Jersey Group III Sectional Champions

Club - Wall Red Devils

State Cup Champions 2014

State Cup Finalists 2015

McCourt on Wells:

“Ryan is a very versatile, hard-working and determined defender from Ocean Township. He is a tough defender and is very athletic. Ryan’s blue collar work ethic and determination will make him an instant asset to our team.  He has a strong presence in the air and helps on both defensive and attacking set pieces. He plays for a very good high school coach in Tom Reilly and a great club coach in Darren Spurrier.”