WASHINGTON – The Georgetown University men’s soccer team signed seven student-athletes to National Letters of Intent to play on the Hilltop.  They will join the squad this fall as the Hoyas look to defend a BIG EAST Blue Division Regular Season Championship.

"This is a class that we are very excited about. My assistants, Zach Samol and Brian Gill, have done a tremendous job putting together this talented group,” said Georgetown Head Coach Brian Wiese.  “I feel we have character, talent, toughness and leadership throughout the group. We expect that this class will come in and be big contributors on and off the field, and be instrumental in our efforts to repeat as the BIG EAST regular season champion."

Tomas Gomez is a goalkeeper from Webster Groves, Mo., where he went to Webster Groves High School.  Gomez was a four-year letterwinner earning First Team Missouri Class 3 All-State and ESPN Rise All-State.  He was also the Class 3 Missouri Goalkeeper of the Year in 2010.  Gomez posted eight shutouts as a senior and seven as a junior as his squad won the South Conference Championship.  He plays club with St. Louis Scott Gallagher Soccer.  Gomez is a member of the National Honor Society and won the Renaissance Award.

"I feel that Tomas is one of the top goalkeepers in the 2011 class. He organizes the team in front of him better than anyone in the country,” said Wiese.  “Tomas is great with the ball at his feet, which is a prerequisite for the position these days. He has all the tools to develop into one of the top goalkeepers in the BIG EAST and to play at the next level beyond college."

Austin Martz comes to the Hilltop from Mechanicsburg, Pa., where he played at Mechanicsburg Senior High and currently with the PA Classics U-18 Academy.  The forward/midfielder was an all-state selection as a senior earning Keystone Player of the Year and Sentinel Player of the Year after scoring 29 goals and notching 17 assists.  Martz earned three varsity letters in soccer earning all-conference accolades as a junior and senior.  He spent seven years with the Super NOVA Club and played tennis, football and basketball in high school.  Martz is a member of the National Honor Society, Spanish NHS, Key Club and the Science Olympiad.

“Austin is a player that both Coach Samol and Coach Gill first saw at camp this summer. He's got an explosive first step and has a real nose for the goal,” said Wiese.  “Austin’s activity around the ball and his work ethic make him tough to handle for defenders. He's a blue-collar kid with a big upside and will fit into our system very well as a front runner or wide midfielder."

Nicolo Muñiz is a talented midfielder from Rio Rancho, N.M., where he played for Rio Rancho High School before finishing high school overseas.  He spent the 2009-10 season in Madrid, Spain playing for A.D. Alcobendas and is with the Real Salt Lake Developmental Academy in Arizona this year.  His first two seasons in high school, Muñiz was a two-time all-state honoree and named the district player of the year as a sophomore after setting a school record in points with 69.  He played club with the NM Gladiators.

"Nico came to our camp two summers ago and was exceptional there. He spent his junior year playing and developing in Spain and has come back playing at a very high level. He plays in the number 10 role for the Real Salt Lake Academy team, and can break down opponents in a lot of different ways,” said Wiese.  “Nico’s speed-of-play is terrific and I feel he is one of the best midfielders in the 2011 class. It’s going to be hard to keep him off the field."

Jared Rist comes to the Hilltop from Durham, N.C. He was a three-time all-conference and all-region honoree at Riverside High School.  The midfielder/defender was a two-year captain at his high school which went to the state semifinals in 2009.  Rist plays club soccer with the Triangle Futbol Club.  He was also part of the North Carolina Olympic Development pool.  Rist played basketball and was his class valedictorian as a junior.

"I love Jared's competitiveness and his energy on the field. He's a smart, technical player that isn't afraid to tackle or contest for headers,” said Wiese.  “Jared's athletic enough to play in a lot of spots, and his versatility will be an important asset for the team next season. He was the first player to commit to Georgetown in this class, and his enthusiasm for this place is contagious."

Tyler Rudy joins the squad from Olney, Md., where he attended Sherwood High School.  Rudy is a midfielder/defender who earned four varsity letters in soccer.  He was named All-Met by the Washington Post his junior and senior seasons and was a Maryland First Team All-State honoree.  Rudy was also named NSCAA High School Scholar All-American and All-Region as a senior.  He plays club with the DC United Academy and was a member of the Maryland ODP program for three seasons as well as a part of the Region 1 pool.  Rudy is a member of the Student Government Association.

"Tyler is a great local pick up for us. He came to camp here two summers ago, and we loved what he brought both on and off the field,” said Wiese.  “Tyler is a hard-nosed ball winner and has really grown as a center midfielder with the DC United Academy team these last couple of years. He plays pretty much every minute for DC United because of his consistency and leadership, and makes very good decisions with the ball."

Rory Shepard is a defender from New Canaan, Conn.  He was a four-year letterwinner at New Canaan High School where he was the team captain as a senior.  Shepard was a First Team All-CIAC and All-FCIAC in 2010 leading the squad in goals, assists and points.  His high school team won the Class L State Championship and he was named game MVP.  Shepard plays club soccer with FC Westchester and is a five-year captain.  He also played hockey and baseball at New Canaan.

"Rory was another player we identified at our camp. He's a hard-nosed, athletic defender and an important leader and captain on his FC Westchester Academy team,” said Wiese.  “Rory will likely join our backline to give us options as a center back or as a right back. I think his upside his huge, and I'm excited to see just how far he can go."

Tom Skelly rounds out the class from Albuquerque, N.M.  He is a midfielder/defender that currently plays with the Shattuck-St. Mary’s U-18 Academy Team.  Skelly’s squad won the Minnesota State Championship in 2009 as well as the Las Vegas Showcase and the Final Four Showcase.  He was also a part of the Minnesota Olympic Development program.  Skelly attends Shattuck-St. Mary’s School where he is a member of the honor’s program.

"Tom has been developing at Shattuck-St. Mary's in Minnesota, and has a great left foot. He's a dangerous attacking player, and can play anywhere on the left side or up front,” said Wiese.  “Tom scores goals, he hits good crosses, he can beat players one on one, and he's a good passer. He'll compete for minutes right away in our system."

Georgetown’s spring practice is already underway as the squad prepares for the 2011 season.