FORT MYERS, Fla. – Entering his second season as the head coach of the FGCU men’s soccer program, Jesse Cormier and his staff have finalized their 2018 roster with the addition of 13 newcomers.

 

The talented and diverse pool of newcomers includes four freshmen, three sophomores, five juniors and a senior. They hail from six different countries and five states in America.

 

Below is more information about each of the newcomers, in addition to comments from Cormier. The signees will be joining an FGCU team which posted an 8-6-3 (4-1-1 ASUN) record in Cormier’s first season with the team in 2017. The Eagles reached the ASUN Tournament semifinals for the seventh-straight year (every season of eligibility), and Cormier developed a program-record 10 all-conference selections.

 

Joao Burti

Year: Junior

Position: Forward

Hometown: Sao Paulo, Brazil

Previous College: Iowa Western

High School: South Kent

 

Bio Blast: Recorded 53 points over his two seasons at Iowa Western, posting 11 goals and two assists last fall and 12 goals and five assists as a freshman. He secured three game-winning goals in his initial campaign, and followed that up with four game-clinching finishes as a sophomore. He posted a pair of hat tricks in consecutive matches last season, and his career-best scoring performance was a four-goal outing as a freshman.

 

Cormier’s Thoughts: “Joao is a tough-minded, committed striker who will give us the initial pressing we need and commitment to be fearless in goal-scoring moments and opportunities. He has an edge in front of goal, and we feel it will bring the team dividends in the end.”

 

Raheem Somersall

Year: Senior

Position: Midfield

Hometown: Basseterre, St. Kitts

Previous College: Appalachian State

High School: Southern Durham

 

Bio Blast: Played in 17 of Appalachian State’s 19 games last year as a junior. As a sophomore with the Mountaineers he appeared in 16 matches and scored one goal, and as a freshman he started all 18 contests and issued a pair of assists. Between his sophomore and junior campaigns, he was called to train with his national team, St. Kitts & Nevis. He eventually competed in the U20 CONCACAF Championship in Puerto Rico before being called up to the national team in the CONCACAF World Cup.

 

Cormier’s Thoughts: “Raheem is a midfield force. With his energy, mobility and relentless attitude, we feel he will make a big difference in our program.”

 

Jason Van Achteren

Year: Junior

Position: Midfield

Hometown: Antwerp, Belgium

Previous College: Eastern New Mexico / Embry-Riddle

High School: Olvi Boom

 

Bio Blast: Did not play last year as he transitioned to FGCU, but as a sophomore at Eastern New Mexico in 2016 he appeared in 12 matches and made 10 starts. He logged at least a full 90 minutes six times, and 80 or more on nine occasions. He spent his freshman campaign at Embry-Riddle, starting all 12 contests he played for the Daytona Beach-based school.

 

Cormier’s Thoughts: “Jason is a steadying influence in our team. He brings a wealth of experience and understands how to be patient and poised under pressure. His quality and composure will be important.”

 

Noah Bushey

Year: Redshirt Sophomore

Position: Midfield

Hometown: Spokane, Wash.

Previous College: New Mexico

High School: Chatfield Senior

 

Bio Blast: After using his freshman campaign in 2016 to redshirt, he made nine appearances along with two starts for New Mexico as a redshirt freshman in 2017. He posted four shots on the year, with two of those being on target.

 

Cormier’s Thoughts: “Noah is a very skillful player with an intense passion for the game. We think he is a really good fit into our system and the way we want to play here at FGCU.”

 

Ryan Medilah

Year: Junior

Position: Midfield

Hometown: Paris, France

Previous College: San Jacinto / Cloud County

High School: Lycee Maurice Ravel

 

Bio Blast: Scored two goals and added two assists for six points last year at San Jacinto College in Houston. He played at San Jac for then-head coach Ian Spooner, who will be in his first year as an assistant coach with FGCU in 2018. Prior to San Jac, he played in 19 games and started 17 as a freshman at Cloud County Community College, scoring five goals and adding a team-best nine assists for 19 points.

 

Cormier’s Thoughts: “Ryan is a talented attacking player who is very dynamic with big potential. He will have to adjust to this level and become more complete, but when he does the sky is the limit for him.”

 

Ethan Dudley

Year: Freshman

Position: Midfield

Hometown: Jacksonville, Fla.

High School: Bartram Trail

 

Bio Blast: Was a three-time all-conference selection throughout high school. As a junior he was named an all-state performer and a First Team All-First Coast member after scoring an incredible 25 goals from his midfield position. He received a nod to the Second Team All-First Coast as a senior.

 

Cormier’s Thoughts: “Ethan is a big, mobile and talented young man who is an excellent student-athlete. He will bring a competitive edge and attitude to our defense for the next four years.”

 

Nash Mahler

Year: Freshman

Position: Midfield

Hometown: Bowling Green, Ohio

High School: Shattuck–St. Mary’s

 

Bio Blast: Has played at the Shattuck-St. Mary’s Academy in Minnesota since 2015; prior to that he played his club soccer for Empire Academy in New York, where he was an all-conference selection at Olean High School. Son of former Bowling Green and St. Bonaventure head men’s soccer coach Mel Mahler, who is now the head coach of the Shattuck-St. Mary’s Boys U17DA team.

 

Cormier’s Thoughts: “Nash is a great addition and special young man with on-the-ball quality who has maturity way beyond his years. His athletic and academic approach is about balance as he understands the bigger picture on why sport, training and preparation is so important to personal and team success.”

 

Ivan Rosales

Year: Junior

Position: Midfield

Hometown: Pasadena, Texas

Previous College: San Jacinto

High School: Sam Rayburn

 

Bio Blast: Totaled 30 points over two years at San Jacinto, beginning with seven goals and three assists as a freshman in 2016. He followed it up with three goals and a team-best seven assists as a sophomore last fall. Three of those seven career goals were game-winners. Like Medilah, he played at San Jac for Spooner.

 

Cormier’s Thoughts: “Ivan is an explosive player with the ability to change the game. His talent and tireless work ethic is a powerful dual dynamic and will challenge our environment and our opponents. We’re excited to welcome Ivan to FGCU.”

 

Owen Betz

Year: Junior

Position: Goalkeeper

Hometown: Pass Christian, Miss.

Previous College: Mississippi Gulf Coast / Northern Kentucky

High School: St. Stanislaus

 

Bio Blast: Played and started all 17 games last year as a sophomore at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, posting a 1.34 goals against average and seven shutouts en route to being named an NJCAA Division I All-American Third Team member. In eight conference matches, he secured five clean sheets, had a 0.51 goals against average and went a perfect 8-0. He began his collegiate career at Northern Kentucky, starting all eight contests he appeared in as a freshman in 2016 with the D-I member. He finished with a 1.46 goals against average and made a team-best 41 saves – more than twice as many as any of the other three keepers who saw game action. He was also responsible for each of the team’s three shutouts.

Cormier’s Thoughts: “Owen is one of the most talented athletes in this entire recruiting class. He will bring a lot to our goalkeeping corps. His size, mobility and physical prowess is immense, and we look forward to helping him reach a whole new level here with us at FGCU.”

 

Titouan Le Menec

Year: Sophomore

Position: Defender

Hometown: Guipavas, France

Previous College: Bluefield

High School: STMG

 

Bio Blast: Named to the NCCAA Mid-East All-Region Team as a freshman in 2017 after helping lead Bluefield to a regional championship and third national tournament appearance in four years. He started 19 of 23 games, issuing three assists from his backline position and guiding Bluefield to a 16-8 overall record. Prior to Bluefield, he developed with club team Stade Brestois, which plays in Ligue 2 – the second division for French soccer.

 

Cormier’s Thoughts: “Tito is a versatile defender who has athletic qualities and possesses the flexibility to play wide. His range as a defender to join the attack and press defensively will add a dimension and deepen the transition depth and ability of our squad.”

 

Axel Pantaleon

Year: Freshman

Position: Forward

Hometown: Plantation, Fla.

High School: St. Thomas Aquinas

 

Bio Blast: Has spent much of his time training and playing with Boca United – a U.S. Soccer Development Academy. With the club’s U-18/19 squad, he’s played in 27 matches and made 19 starts, registering four goals.

 

Cormier’s Thoughts: “Axel is an attacking talent with excellent, tight-ball control and he always evaluates ways to be highly dangerous and effective in the final third. As a coach, it’s a luxury to have a player who has such a high tactical and technical level, and this defines Axel. He’s going to only get better every day.”

 

Michael Luke

Year: Sophomore

Position: Midfield

Hometown: Parkland, Fla.

Previous College: UNC Asheville

High School: St. Thomas Aquinas

 

Bio Blast: Made 18 appearances with D-I UNC Asheville last year as a freshman, starting eight matches. He attempted eight shots on the year, with a pair of those going on target for the Bulldogs. Prior to UNCA, Luke helped lead his club team, Miramar United, to the Super Y League National Final. He and Pantaleon are both graduates of St. Thomas Aquinas in Fort Lauderdale.

 

Cormier’s Thoughts: “Michael is a big addition for us. His athleticism and technical quality will definitely positively impact our midfield. He will be ready to step in for us immediately, and we’re all excited to help him develop into a great player during his time here.”

 

O’Vonte Mullings

Year: Freshman

Position: Forward

Hometown: Toronto, Ontario

High School: Northview Heights Secondary

 

Bio Blast: Mullings is a product of FC Durham Academy. In eight matches so far this spring and summer with FC Durham as part of the Ontario Academy Soccer League, he’s tallied an incredible 11 goals – including a hat trick and a four-goal performance. He comes from the same high school, Northview Heights Secondary in Toronto, as recently-graduated Eli Roubos.

 

Cormier’s Thoughts: “We are excited about ‘O’. He is a legitimate goal threat as a freshman; his quality and mobility will create problems for our opponents. To have him here all four years, his potential is immeasurable.”

 

FOLLOW ALONG

For up-to-the minute information and a behind-the-scenes look at the FGCU men’s soccer program, follow on Twitter @FGCU_MSoccer, Instagram @FGCU_MSoccer, Facebook /FGCUMSoccer and YouTube /FGCUAthletics.

 

HEAD COACH JESSE CORMIER

Jesse Cormier guided FGCU to an 8-6-3 (4-1-1 ASUN) record in his 1st season with the team in 2017. The Eagles reached the ASUN Tournament semifinals for the 7th-straight season (every year of eligibility), and Cormier coached a program-record 10 all-conference selections. Hired in January of 2017 to become just the 2nd head coach in program history, Cormier was the head coach at Vermont for the previous 13 seasons. He won 14 games with the Catamounts in 2016 and advanced to the NCAA Tournament Second Round. During his time with Vermont, Cormier guided the program to the America East Tournament in 12 of 13 seasons, making five title game appearances, winning two tournament crowns, claiming a regular-season championship and advancing to three NCAA tournaments, including a pair of Second Round appearances. Cormier has a 122-95-50 (.551 winning percentage) overall record as a head coach.

 

SUPPORT THE CAUSE

FGCU Athletics sponsors events throughout the year to benefit the FGCU Campus Food Pantry (www.fgcu.edu/foodpantry) and the Harry Chapin Food Bank (www.harrychapinfoodbank.org), FGCU Athletics’ charities of choice. For more information, including how to make a contribution, please visit www.fgcu.edu/foodpantry and utilize the hashtag #FeedFGCU to help raise awareness.