University of Evansville men’s soccer head coach Marshall Ray and his staff announced the signing of five student-athletes that will continue their athletic and academic careers at UE. 

 The Purple Aces’ signing class includes Zachary Blaydes (Midway, Ky. / Woodford County), Kyle Brown (Fenton, Mo. / Rockwood Summitt), Hunter Deweese (Haubstadt, Ind. / Gibson Southern), Erick Hasselkus (Newburgh, Ind. / Reitz Memorial),  Brian Hughes (Aurora, Ohio / Walsh Jesuit).

“It is a new beginning for Purple Aces Soccer and our incoming class will play a large role in shaping the future of our program,” said head coach Marshall Ray. “They give us different options and I see several of them contributing on the field in their first season with us. I am pleased we were able to add players of character who value the academic and athletic environment the University of Evansville offers.  They will compete against the best teams Division I has to offer while obtaining an outstanding education that will serve them well after their playing days are over.  Our staff has worked hard putting this class together and we look forward to adding more names to it before training camp in August.”    

ZACHARY BLAYDES

Midway, Ky. (Woodford County)

Notable:  Zac played four years of varsity soccer at Woodford County high school and was selected the MVP of his team in 2013 and 2014.  He was a First-Team All-State and All-District Tournament Team selection in 2013 and 2014 as well.  Zac is a standout in the classroom as well and was selected to the All-State Academic Team in 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014.  He played youth soccer for Lexington FC (2012-2015) where the team was State Cup Champions in 2013 and 2014 and played for Bluegrass SC in 2011-2012 where the team was State Cup Champions in 2012.

Ray on Blades:  “Zac epitomizes what we look for in a University of Evansville student-athlete.  He competes in the classroom and on the field of play.  He has had a very successful high school and youth career and will add an intelligence to our attacking play as soon as he enters the program this August.”

KYLE BROWN

Fenton, Mo. (Rockwood Summitt)

Notable: In one season of high school soccer, Kyle scored five goals and tallied 12 assists for Rockwood Summitt while playing as a defender.  During that season he was voted the Defensive Player of the Year by his teammates.  Kyle joined the United States Soccer Developmental Academy during his junior year and currently plays for St. Louis Scott Gallagher- Metro.  Prior to joining the USSDA, his club team won the Missouri State Cup Champions in 2011 and 2013 as well as a semi-finalist in 2012.  Kyle also served as captain of his Missouri Olympic Development Program team.

Ray on Brown:  “Kyle is a skilled defender who fits well into our style of play and will be able to handle the battles he will face in the Valley.  He also continues our pipeline to SLSG-Metro.  Our relationship with their club has produced some great players for our program and we look forward to Kyle following the same path.” 

HUNTER DEWEESE

Haubstadt, Ind. (Gibson Southern)

Notable:  Hunter holds Gibson Southern’s school record with 100 goals and also tallied 33 assists.  He was selected Second Team All-State and was picked as the MVP after leading his team to semi-state in 2014 for the first time in program history.  Hunter is a multisport athlete who excelled in the classroom and on the field. He was a two-time All-State selection as a kicker for Gibson Southern. Hunter was named Academic All-State as a junior and senior.  He played youth soccer for Evansville Soccer Club ’96. 

Ray on Deweese:  “Hunter is a dynamic athlete who has the ability to play in several different positions.  As a youth player on my club teams he was utilized in a defensive role, but as you can see from his high school stats, he is comfortable in front of the net.”   

ERICK HASSELKUS

Newburgh, Ind. (Reitz Memorial)

Notable:  Eric was a starter for state soccer power house Reitz Memorial High School.  He scored 32 goals and had 19 assists during his junior and senior years.  In his senior season he led the IHSAA Southern Indiana Conference in points and was selected as the 2014 Metro Player of the Year by the Evansville Courier Press. He was also an All-State selection.   Eric played his youth soccer for Evansville Soccer Club, Cincinnati United and South Central Soccer Academy.

Ray on Hasselkus:  “Erick has an infections personality and will bring a level of excitement to every training session and match with his pace and ability to unbalance teams by beating players in 1 v 1 situations.  It is great to have the Metro Player of the Year on our roster.”

Brian Hughes

Aurora, Ohio (Walsh Jesuit)

Notable: Brain was an offensive threat at Walsh Jesuit High in 2011 and 2014 scoring  the game winning goal in the 2014 District Championship Game.  During his sophomore  and junior years he was a member of the United States Soccer Development Academy playing for the Cleveland Internationals. Brain has a local tie to Evansville and played his youth soccer with Evansville Soccer Club.  He was also a member the USYSA Indiana State team prior to moving to Ohio. His family also spent time in Germany and he played for the International School of Dusseldorf, Germany Sportverein Soccer Team.  

Ray on Hughes:  “Brian is an experienced attacking player who is technically gifted.  His time in the USSDA will help him adjust to the demands of the college game.  He grew up at our camps and has a true passion to be a Purple Ace and represent our community.”