NEWARK, NJ—NJIT head coach Fernando Barboto announced the addition of 13 standout student-athletes that will join the Highlanders in the Fall 2017.

The 2017 class includes: Ryan Nigro (midfielder; Morganville, NJ; PDA Academy), Gabriel Elizando (attacker; Winnetka, CA; LA Premiere FC), Anthony Caruso (goalkeeper; Newtown, PA; Princeton Soccer Club), Carlos Garcia Antolin (attacker; Madrid, Spain; DAV Santa Ana), Sebastian Kelly (midfielder; Carlisle, PA; Fusion FC), Pablo Jimmenez (midfielder; Barcelona, Spain; Sabella FC), Roberto Adamson (defender; San Jose, Costa Rica; Saprissa FC); Hugo Hurtado (central defender; Madrid, Spain; Adarve FC), Marcos Agnolin (center midfielder, Palm Beach Gardens, FL; FC Florida), Gabriel Almeida (attacker; Port St. Lucie, FL; FC Florida), Tristan Parker (goalkeeper; Miami, FL; Kendall FC), Manual Molina (midfielder; El Paso, TX; El Paso Legacy), Bing Le (goalkeeper; Jersey City, NJ; Cedar Stars Academy-Monmouth).

"I believe this is a very strong class with players that cover multiple positions," coach Barboto commented."  "The passing technique, soccer IQ and dynamic ability of this class as a whole is very strong.  This class will ensure the highest level of success we are shooting for."

Here is a closer look at the incoming recruiting class:

Ryan Nigro, 5'7, Midfielder Morganville, NJ, PDA Academy
Quote from coach Barboto: "We think Ryan is going to be a great central midfielder for us a classic #6.  He is very technical, with a very high soccer IQ, and excellent passing ability and distribution with his right foot.

A third-team all-State, first-team all-Non Public A and first-team all-Shore in 2015, Nigro guided the Christian Brothers Academy to the Non-Public A State Champions as a senior.  Christian Brothers Academy is two-time Shore Conference and Non-Public A South champions.

He played PDA for George Nazario and intends to major in business at NJIT.

Gabriel Elizando, 5'8, Attacker, Winnetka, CA, LA Premiere FC
Quote from coach Barboto: "Gabriel is very fast and elusive attacker that can play anywhere in the attack for us.  We believe he will make an immediate impact and add vital statistics our attack".

Elizando, who hails from Winnetka, California, attended Crespi High School in Encino.  The 5-foot-8 forward played club for L.A. Premiere.

He intends to major in business at NJIT.

Anthony Caruso, 6'1, Goalkeeper Newtown, PA, Princeton Soccer Club
Quote from coach Barboto: "Very athletic goalkeeper with good distribution.   We believe he has great potential to be an impact goalkeeper for NJIT in the future"

Caruso, a 6-foot goalkeeper, guided Council Rock North in Newton, PA, to the quarterfinals of the Pennsylvania State Tournament.  He played club for the Princeton Soccer Association.

Caruso intends to major in chemical engineering at NJIT.

Carlos Garcia Antolin, 5'9, Attacker Madrid, Spain, DAV Santa Ana
Quote from coach Barboto: "A very good 1v1 attacker; enjoys going at defenders.  His speed with the ball is very good. We think he can add plenty of depth to our attack."

Garcia, a 5-foot-9 attacker, comes to NJIT from Madrid, Spain, after attending CEU Sanchinarro High School.  He played club for DAV Santa Ana.

He intends to major in mathematics or engineering at NJIT.

Sebastian Kelly 5'7, Midfielder, PA, Fusion FC
Quote from coach Barboto: "He is a quick decision maker and crafty with the ball.  We think he has a lot of versatility to his game which will help our team".

A graduate of Trinity High School, Kelly was a four-year letterwinner and was a member of ODP and Regional team from 2014-16. 

He played club for Fusion FC.

Kelly intends to major in business at NJIT.

Pablo Jimenez 5'6, Midfielder, Barcelona, Spain, Sabella FC
Quote from coach Barboto: "Very quick, nimble and agile.  He has a great engine and brings a lot of energy onto the field. He is a good passer of the ball and is quite dynamic on the turn and dribble."

Jimenez comes to NJIT from Barcelona, Spain, where he played club for the Sabella FC. 

He intends to major in business management at NJIT.

Roberto Adamson Hernandez, 6'0, Defender, San Jose, Costa Rica, Saprissa FC
Quote from coach Barboto: "Very intelligent and hard defender with excellent positional play.  He grew up in the Saprissa youth academy, which gives him excellent pedigree."

Adamson Hernandez joins the Highlanders after attending Methodist High School. He played club for the Saprissa FC, who were crowned regional champions and national finalist.  Adamson Hernandez was named most valuable player in the "Copa Brujas" tournament.

He intends to major in electrical and computer engineering at NJIT.

Hugo Hurtado 6'5, Central Defender Madrid, Spain, Adarve FC
Quote from coach Barboto: "Hugo has a great frame and a strong left foot.  We believe he has the ability to come in and contest for a center back position immediately.  We see him having a strong future in our back line."

The 6-foot-5 central defender from Europeo Almazaw High School in Madrid, also played club for Adarve FC.  He played two seasons with Ray Vallencano (2011-2013).

He intends to major in law, technology and culture at NJIT.

Marcos Agnolin 6'0, Center Midfielder, Palm Beach Gardens, FL, FC Florida
Quote from coach Barboto: "Marcus is a very complete player. He is has a great engine, is very technical, and has that special skill on the ball to improvise and unbalance an opponent."

Agnolin joins the Highlanders from Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, where he attended William Dwyer High School, earning most valuable player in 2015 and 2016.

He played club for FC Florida.

Agnolin intends to major in business at NJIT.

Gabriel Almeida 5'5, Attacker, Port St. Lucie, FL, FC Florida
Quote from coach Barboto: "A very unbalancing, elusive attacker with an explosive burst of speed with the ball.  He has excellent vision for that penetrating pass in the final third.  Very excited to have him part of our team."

Almedia earned all-area first-team honoree as a senior at Saint Lucie West Centennial High School.  He played club for FC Florida.

Tristan Parker 6'1, Goalkeeper Miami, FL, Kendall FC
Quote from coach Barboto: "Tristian comes to NJIT from Kendall Soccer Club and will offer great size and athleticism. With a great work ethic and attitude, he will add to a very competitive environment for the goalkeepers on our roster."

Parker, a 6-foot-1 goalkeeper from Miami, Florida, comes to NJIT after attending Stranahan High School in Fort Lauderdale. 

A member of the 2016 ODP Florida State and Region III team, Parker played club for the Kendall Soccer Coalition.

Parker intends to major in biomedical engineering at NJIT.

Manual Molina, 5'8, Midfielder El Paso, TX, El Paso Legacy
Quote from coach Barboto: "A midfielder that's very versatile.  He is very quick, tenacious and very technical.  Has strong ability to improvise in small spaces and keep possession of the ball."

Molina joins the Highlanders from El Paso, Texas where he attended Franklin High School.  He helped guide USSDA to back-to-back national champions.

He played for FC Dallas U16 and club for E.P. Legacy.

Molina intends to major in computing business.

Binh Le, 5'9, Goalkeeper, Jersey City, NJ, Cedar Stars Academy-Monmouth
Quote from coach Barboto: "Binh comes to NJIT from Cedar Stars Academy - Monmouth which plays in the USSDA U17/U18. His shot stopping ability and good technique on the ball will complement our style of play."

Le, a goalkeeper for University Academy Charter High School in nearby Jersey City, NJ, played club for the Cedar Stars Academy-Monmouth, which plays in the USSDA U17/U18.

He intends to major in computer engineering at NJIT.

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