PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Rutgers men's soccer has announced its incoming class for the upcoming 2019 season under first-year head coach Jim McElderry.
 
The 13-member class features 11 freshmen and two transfers, including four student-athletes from New Jersey and five future Scarlet Knights from overseas.
 
"First I would like to thank my soccer staff for the work they put into this class over the past six months," said McElderry. "Since starting in December, we have all been focused on improving our team through training the current group during the spring season and recruiting new players who can increase the level of competition amongst our team. I would also like to thank all of the support staff at Rutgers. I have had to learn quickly on how things are done here and everyone involved in the process have been incredible.

"The group of new players will increase competition for places on our team, help us raise our level of competitiveness in training and simply improve our level of play in matches. We have additions in all areas of the team from goalkeeper to forwards.
 
"It is an exciting time here at Rutgers with so many projects going on around us on campus and especially watching the building of our future home in the Rodkin Center. However, right now we want to get the guys on campus, start putting our 2019 team together and laying the foundation for the future. Rutgers men's soccer has a great history and this August our players will be challenged with putting our program back on the national stage as quickly as possible. There is a lot of work ahead of us."
 

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2019 INCOMING FRESHMEN
 
Randy Arronis
Midfield
5-6 | 135
North Brunswick, N.J./North Brunswick 
PDA                              
 


Prior to Rutgers: Member of PDA since 2015 … Played with the U13/14, U15/16, U17/18 and U18/19 teams …
 
Personal: Son of Susana Solano and Sanatra Bryan... has one brother, Justin, and two sisters, Michaela and Steph.
 
McElderry on Arronis: "Randy comes from one of our great local academy clubs in PDA and coach Sam Nellins. Randy is very good technically and can create chances for his team. He is also incredibly competitive and tough. He is always up for the battle in a match. He has the ability to play in a few spots for us this year."

Arronis on Choosing Rutgers: "Rutgers is near my hometown and I want to make a big name at home."

Oren Asher
Goalkeeper
6-0 | 170
Herzliya, Israel/Hayovel
Maccabi Herzliya

 
 
Prior to Rutgers: Played with Maccabi Herzliya in Israel …
           
Personal: Son of Ronen and Anat … Served as a member of the Israeli Defense Force.
 
McElderry on Asher: "Oren was a late recruit for this year. He is a mature keeper with a lot of experience. He comes from an excellent training environment at Maccabi Herzliya. I expect Oren to set the standard for our keepers in terms of training and knowing how to compete every session. He will be competing with Cameron Farrar and James Teal for the number one spot."
 
Asher on Choosing Rutgers: "I wanted to be a part of this big institution and play in the Big Ten Conference. Rutgers is one of the best places to go in order to combine a high-level of sport with a good education."
 
Thomas Brunaud
Forward 
5-11 | 150
Grasse, France
Lycee Amiral de Grasse     
AS Cannes


 
Prior to Rutgers:  Played at AS Cannes in the Championnat National U19 …
 
Personal: Son of Olivier and Virginie … Has two sisters, Romane and Lylou.
 
McElderry on Brunaud: "Thomas hails from the south of France and is an attacking oriented player who has the ability to score all different types of goals. He impressed me with his link play and also the way in which he put himself in spots to get chances at goal. Scoring goals is the hardest part of soccer and I think Thomas will help us earn chances and also finish off others."
 
Brunaud on Choosing Rutgers: "I chose Rutgers for its reputation as a university, the quality of the sports facilities, the quality of its staff…and of course to win."

Cameron Farrar
Goalkeeper 
6-0 | 185
Wilton, Conn./Wilton     
NYCFC
 

                                    
Prior to Rutgers: 2019 and 2018 US Soccer DA National Champion … U.S. National Camp in 2016 …
 
Personal: Son of Jeff and MJ … Has one brother, Ryan … Intends to major in business.
 
McElderry on Farrar: "Cameron played for New York City Football Club U19's the past few years. He helped the team win the U19 Development Academy National Championship this past July. I have seen Cam for many years. He trains very well and has gotten better each and every year. There will be competition in the goalkeeper position this year and Cam will be in that mix."
 
Farrar on Choosing Rutgers: "I chose Rutgers for the great competition, both within in the team and against our opponents."

Hugo Le Guennec
Defense
6-1 | 170
Massy, France                                          
Valenciennes



Prior to Rutgers: Played in the Championnat National U19 for Valenciennes, the highest youth league in France …
 
Personal: Son of Christophe and Yvette.
 
McElderry on LeGuennec: "Hugo comes from the U19 French club of Valenciennes. Hugo is a player we expect to come in and have an immediate impact on our program. He is a leader on the field and is also technically good enough to help us play out of the back. Hugo is a mature young man who will make others around him better."
 
LeGuennec on Choosing Rutgers: "I chose Rutgers because I believe the program is on the rise, as well as the facilities, the university and the Big Ten Conference."
 
Jøergen Lie
Midfield/Defense
5-11 | 150
Trondheim, Norway
Kolstad
 


Prior to Rutgers: Played in UEFA Youth League for Rosenborg.. Most recently played for Kolstad

Personal: Son of Torbjørn and Karen …… Father, Torbjørn, won the Norwegian championship four times as the head coach for Rosenborg BK's youth team … Has two brothers, Mats and Kristian, and one sister, Maren.
 
McElderry on Lie: "Jørgen comes to us from Norway. He is a coach's son and has a very good soccer pedigree playing at the highest levels of youth soccer in Norway and the youth champions league. He is a versatile player with the ability to play in midfield or as a central defender. Jørgen is good technically, reads the game well and competes physically. He will be a great addition to our program."
 
Lie on Choosing Rutgers: "After talking with the coaching staff, I had a very good impression of the school. The great location combined with my first impression made Rutgers a great option for me."
                                    
Anthony O'Donnell
Midfielder
6-1 | 170
Staten Island, N.Y./St. Joseph By The Sea
PDA


 

 
Personal: Son of Anthony and Nicole … Intends to major in engineering.
                                            
McElderry on O'Donnell: "Anthony comes to us from PDA and Coach Nellins. OD works hard at his game and trains at a level to compete with anyone. He will be a ball winner for us in midfield and help start our attacks. He brings a great attitude and personality to the team. OD is a great fit for our program."
 

Clement Slavik
Defense
6-1 | 170
Toms River, N.J./Toms River South        
Cedar Stars



Prior to Rutgers: All-Shore honoree while playing for Toms River South … Played with Cedar Stars Monmouth's Under-19 team for two years in the Development Academy …
 
Personal: Son of Kenneth and Sheila … Has two brothers, Henry and Otto, and one sister, Charly.
 
McElderry on Slavik: "Clement is a player from the Development Academy and Cedar Stars. He is a very bright young man that reads the game and makes good decisions. Clem will be fighting for playing time as a central defender this season."          
 

     
Jackson Temple
Midfield
5-5 | 125
Millville, Pa./Millville      
Philadelphia Union       

 
 

 
Personal: Son of Shawn and Colleen … Has one brother, Tonny, who is a freshman forward at NC State, and one sister, Hannah … Intends to major in chemistry … Member of the Honor Roll, National Honor Society and Spanish Honor Society.
 
McElderry on Temple: "Jackson is a unique player from the MLS academy of the Philadelphia Union. He is a young freshman in terms of age, but has played consistently for a very good academy this season. Jackson covers ground, is very quick and can play multiple positions. He is the type of player that will fight his way into our team, work tirelessly and can score from midfield. I am looking forward to watching him develop with us."

Temple on Choosing Rutgers: "Rutgers is a prestigious college both academically and athletically and it felt like the right fit for me."
 
Chris Tiao
Defense
5-11 | 155
Randolph, N.J./Randolph
NY Redbull                   

    
 
Prior to Rutgers: Red Bulls II (USL) debut in May 2019 … Played for Everton Westchester FC and Red Bulls … Generation Adidas Cup U17 Finalist in 2017 … 2016 Gatorade Cup 5v5 USA National Champion … Region I Olympic Development Team in 2015 … New Jersey State Soccer Champions in 2015 …
 
Personal: Son of Andy and Michelle … Has one brother, Alexander, and one sister, Katherine … Intends to major in finance … Member of the National Honor Society and eight-time member of the Honor Roll.
 
McElderry on Tiao: "Chris has been a top player for the New York Red Bulls Academy the past few seasons. This year he has started all the matches for the U19 team and also has had the chance to train and play with Red Bulls II. He is a left back but has been asked this past year to play center back as well. Chris is tough and competes at all times. Technically, Chris will help us build from the back and get forward."
 
Tiao on Choosing Rutgers: "I chose Rutgers because it provides me with the opportunity to earn a great business degree while playing top level, Big Ten soccer. Rutgers will best prepare me for my future."


Keegan Vedder
Midfield
5-10 | 140
Amsterdam,N.Y./Christian Brothers Academy  
Blackwatch Premier
 

 
Prior to Rutgers: 2018 Albany Times Union Player of the Year … 2018 NYS Section 2 Player of the Year … NYS Section Two Champion in 2018 … Two-time NYS Section 2 Finalist in 2017 & 2015 …Suburban Council MVP … 
 
Personal: Son of Darby and Allison … Has one sister, Savannah … Intended major is business.
 
McElderry on Vedder: "Keegan comes to us from Blackwatch in NY and Coach Stevie Freeman. Keegan has a great engine and is only scratching the surface of his potential. He will need to adjust to the physical nature of the college game, but once he does I think he will be a dangerous player."
 
Vedder on Choosing Rutgers: "Rutgers has the location, the academic offerings and the opportunity to continue my athletic career at a highly competitive level"

Midfield
5-6 | 160
Cranford,N.J./Cranford/FDU
Cedar Stars                         
 


Prior to Rutgers: Played freshman season at FDU making 13 appearances with one start … Lettered at Cranford High School his junior and senior year after playing his first two years for Roselle Park High School … Selected as one of 17 players for the ID2 National Selection International Tour that competed in Italy in 2014 … Played club soccer for the New York Red Bulls Academy team U15/16 before moving to Cedar Stars Academy-Monmouth … Served as team captain for the Cedar Stars leading the team with 10 goals in 13 matches …
 
Personal: Son of Frank and Elise … Has one brother, Cristiano, and one sister, Sofia … Intends to major in communication.
 

 
Prior to Rutgers: Started his youth career with RCD Espanyol ... moved from Espanyol to RCD Mallorca, most recently played in over 30 games as RCD Mallorca B …

Personal: Son of Bernardo and Antonia … Has one brother, Álvaro … Intends to major in psychology.
 
McElderry on Ávila: "Pablo is an attacking oriented player from RCD Mallorca. Pablo has special qualities to create and score goals. But even more importantly, he is ultra-competitive and pushes himself to be his best and help the team be successful. I am looking forward to Pablo helping our team learn how to compete at the highest level of college soccer"
 
Ávila on Choosing Rutgers: "They offered me a great opportunity to combine the worlds of academics and sports. The university is known around the world. The coaching staff believes a lot in my soccer abilities."
 

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