WSU's Incoming Class Tabbed Top 40 by College Soccer News

The 2013 Wright State men's soccer recruiting class has been ranked 40th best recruiting class, according to the College Soccer News website www.collegesoccernews.com.

According to the website:

"The programs in mid-major conferences are often overlooked when it comes to evaluating recruiting classes.  The bottom line is that the Raiders added a very promising class that includes a significant number of players with the potential to make an impact. The jewel of the class may prove to be redshirt freshman forward Omari Morris who transfers in from Akron. Sophomore midfielder Wesley Cain, who transfers in from Northwestern Ohio, is another impressive addition.  Wright State also landed two promising prospects in NSCAA High School All-Americans midfielder Sam DeRoy from Powell, Ohio, and forward Eric Lynch from Bellbrook, Ohio, who have impressive resumes.  The potential exists for this class to be a real difference maker for Wright State."

It is the second time that a Wright State recruiting class has been recognized by College Soccer News, with the first coming in 2010.

"It's always nice to be mentioned in the company of some fantastic soccer programs and college athletic departments," said WSU fifth-year head coach Bryan Davis.  "I believe this ranking speaks to how great of a place Wright State is to be a student athlete. It has always been my opinion that we offer as good of a student-athlete experience as there is in college sports."

"I also think the ranking really highlights the work my assistants have done over the past few years putting this group together," added Davis. "This is the best staff I've been around and I'm very lucky to have now kept these guys for a few years."

"As nice as rankings are, however, they don't win games once the season begins," said Davis. "The boys right now are hungry. Fall can't come fast enough."

Morris (Toronto, ONT/Pickering) was a member of the 2012 Akron recruiting class that was ranked #2 in the nation.  Prior to going to Akron, he was a member of the Canadian Under-17 National Team and represented Canada in the 2011 U-17 World Cup. Morris earned playing time in the team's first game against Uruguay (who finished 2nd in the Youth World Cup).  He also served as the team captain for the Ontario U-14, U-15, and U-16 Provincial Teams.  Morris, who played for Toronto FC Academy, scored 21 goals, including three game-winners, and recorded 11 assists as a freshman at Pickering High School.

Cain (Guelph, ONT/Whitecaps Academy) led Northwestern Ohio in scoring in 2012 as a freshman with 10 goals.  He played with the Canadian Under-17 National Team and helped team qualify for 2011 FIFA U-17 World Cup by reaching the 2011 CONCACAF U17 Final.  Cain was a member of the U14, U15, and U16 Ontario Provincial Team and was the Golden Boot winner at Canadian All-Star Championship.  He was the top goal scorer in reserve league with SC Toronto.

DeRoy (Powell, OH/Olentangy Liberty) was selected as a National Soccer Coaches Association of America High School All-American in 2012 after leading his team to the Ohio Division I state title.  The state's Co-Player of the Year as a senior, he was a two-time All-State honoree.  On the club level, DeRoy was part of the 2012 Ohio South State Cup champion team.

Lynch (Bellbrook, OH/Bellbrook) was recently named as a 2012-13 Fall Soccer Second Team All-American by the Elite Soccer Report (ESR).  He was twice chosen as a National Soccer Coaches Association of America High School All-American (2011 & 2012) and was also selected to the 2012 High School All-American Game.  The 2012 Division II Ohio Player of the Year, Lynch was a three-time All-State honoree and Southwestern Buckeye League Player of the Year along with being named to the All-Region IV Team three times.  He closed out his Bellbrook career as the Eagles' all-time leader in goals (110), assists (57), and points (277).

The 2013 recruiting class also includes midfielder Avery Ball (Fort Collins, CO/Fossil Ridge), defender Jacob Stovall (Centerville, OH/Centerville), goalkeeper Tyler Blackmer (Boise, ID/Mountain View), defender Samuel Davis (Upper Marlboro, MD/Saint John's), goalkeeper Ryan Pignatiello (Tipp City, OH/Tippecanoe), forward Austin Seifert (Colorado Springs, CO/Colorado Rapids), midfielder Zach Zwiesler (Beavercreek, OH/Carroll) and midfielder Bryson Basaran (New Palestine, IN/New Palestine).

Wright State opens the 2013 campaign with three exhibition matches, including a home match with Slippery Rock on Friday, August 23, at 5:00.  The regular-season home opener for the Raiders will be on Friday, September 6, against Marshall, at 7:00.

CSN 2010 Top 40 Recruiting Classes
1. UCLA
2. Virginia
3. Maryland
4. Georgetown
5. Connecticut
6. North Carolina
7. Indiana
8. Michigan
9. Wake Forest
10. Furman
11. Stanford
12. South Florida
13. South Carolina
14. Boston College
15. Washington
16. Marquette
17. UC Santa Barbara
18. North Carolina State
19. Notre Dame
20. Temple
21. Louisville
22. Duke
23. Akron
24. High Point
25. SMU
26. Xavier
27. Central Florida
28. Northwestern
29. Ohio State
30. California
31. New Mexico
32. Charlotte
33. Syracuse
34. Cal Poly
35. Pennsylvania
36. Penn State
37. Creighton
38. Columbia
39. St. John's
40. Wright State
40. Rutgers
40. Wisconsin
40. Clemson
40. SIU Edwardsville
40. College of Charleston
40. Tulsa
40. Florida International

(Release courtesy Wright State Athletics Media Relations)