Coming off a strong 2014 season, which saw the team reach double-digit victories for the second time over the last three seasons, Cornell men's soccer turned its attention to the future this past Wednesday for National Signing Day. The Big Red received pledges from four outstanding high school athletes, who will become a part of the Class of 2019 at Cornell. The Cornell coaching staff continued to scour the country near and far in their efforts to find quality additions to the club. The program landed players from as far as Texas and Michigan, while it also adds a pair of in-state players from New York.
 
Get to know the Class of 2019 here:
 
Ryan Bayne | Horseheads, N.Y. | Empire Revolution USSF Academy | Notre Dame HS
Bayne does not need to travel far when he starts class at Cornell next fall. He enjoyed an excellent first two seasons playing for the varsity squad at Notre Dame High School in Elmira, N.Y. He became a team captain his sophomore season, earning Interscholastic Athletic Conference South MVP, while he was named to the First Team Interscholastic Athletic Conference in both his freshman and sophomore seasons.
 
From there he moved on to play for Empire Revolution of the USSF Development Academy. Playing primarily as a centerback and central mid throughout his career, he will look to make an impact for a defense that graduated a pair of All-Ivy performers from this past season's squad. He was ranked #142 in Top Drawer Soccer's final list of the Top 150 recruits; coming in as the 33rd best defender and fourth-ranked recruit in the New York region. He plans to study mechanical engineering in the College of Engineering at Cornell.

The Bayne family has strong ties to Cornell, as his father John was a two sport standout for the Big Red in the late 80's. A member of the soccer and track teams during his time on East Hill, he was enshrined in the Cornell Athletics Hall of Fame in 1998. His uncle, Steven, and aunt, Bernadette, also attended Cornell. The newest addition to the Bayne legacy at Cornell is excited to forge his own path this coming fall.

Matthew McCarthy | Armonk, N.Y. | New York Red Bulls USSF Academy | Byram Hills HS
McCarthy is another versatile midfield recruit that figures to be a great fit for the Cornell system. He helped the Red Bulls to a #1 ranking in developmental league during 2013-14. He helped captain the squad to a Northeast Academy Championship en route to a National Championship appearance in 2012. Earlier that season, he was named MVP of the Next Generation Cup tournament held in Austria. McCarthy was a US Soccer Market Training Invitee in both 2012 and 2013.
 
Prior to his time with the Red Bulls, he played for the FC Westchester of the USSF Development Academy. McCarthy had an excellent run over his final two years with the squad. He participated at several Olympic Development camps, while he was one of just 18 players to represent his country for the Olympic Development International Tour in 2011. He intends to major in Hotel Administration in the School of Hotel Adminstation.
 
Rhys Moller | Dexter, Mich. | CSA Wolves U18 USSF Academy | Dexter HS
Moller also comes to East Hill via the United States Soccer Development Academy. He was a two-year standout goalkeeper at Dexter, earning All-Region First Team and Division 2 All State Second Team honors. During his sophomore season he led the squad to the Eastern Conference, District and Region Championships en route to an appearance in the Michigan State Semifinals.
 
Moller played his final two seasons for the CSA Wolves of the USSF Development Academy. In his first season with the Wolves he earned Team MVP honors at the IMG Cup. He also led the squad to quarter final appearances in the Michigan State Cup and the Las Vegas Mayors Cup. The young keeper was a rock in net for the Wolves in 2013-14, leading the team to a Central Conference Championship; earning a berth in the U.S. Development Academy playoffs at the conclusion of the season. He was ranked the 121^st best prospect in College Soccer News' recruiting rankings for the Class of 2015; sitting as the 10^th best goalkeeper in the class by the service. He intends to major in agricultural science or food sciences in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. He also intends to pursue a minor in music.

Ryan Watters | Dallas, Texas | Andromeda FC U18 USSF Academy | Cistercian Prep
Watters comes to Cornell from the United States Soccer Federation Development Academy. A three year captain – twice with the Andromeda Under 16 team and once as a member of the Andromeda U18 squad – he brings strong leadership qualities both on and off the field. Watters has earned the opportunity to train with several elite programs over the last few seasons. He trained with Tottenham's college elite team this past summer, while he was also the recipient of an invite to the USMNT Training Center this past year. He scored eight points during his final season for his club team Andromeda and looks to be the type of strong two-way midfielder that the coaching staff likes to utilize in its aggressive system. He intends to study economics in the College of Arts and Sciences.
 
Similar to fellow newcomer Ryan Bayne, the Watters' family has significant ties to Cornell. Ryan's aunt, Sheila, and uncle, Doug, both graduated from Cornell.

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