McIntyre Finalizes Recruiting Class

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Men's soccer coach Ian McIntyre put the finishing touches on his first Syracuse recruiting class Thursday, May 20 with the announcement of 16 players who will join the Orange for the upcoming 2010 season. In addition to talented high school standouts, the group features several international players as well as players with junior college and Division I soccer experience.

Highlighting the group is Syracuse native and Manlius Pebble Hill star Jon Mangram and four players who previously played for McIntyre at Hartwick College.

This latest batch of signees brings the number of players in McIntyre's first recruiting class up to 18. They join junior college All-American Federico Agreda and high school All-American Brett Jankouskas, who previously signed National Letters-of-Intent (NLIs) to play for the Orange.

“We are very excited to welcome this 2010 class to Syracuse University,” McIntyre said. “(Assistant coaches) Jukka Masalin and Mike Miller have worked tirelessly to secure such a dynamic first recruiting class. This class adds immediate experience to our program with student-athletes who have already excelled at the collegiate and international level. We have also attracted outstanding student-athletes who we believe will further develop here at Syracuse and be fantastic ambassadors of our program both on and off the soccer field.”

Here's a look at the 16 newest members of the Orange with McIntyre's take on how each one will impact the team:

KONRAD ANDERSSON (Helsingborg, Sweden): Transfer from Hartwick College … 2009 Mid-American Conference (MAC) Second Team … Recorded one assist last season … Earned six caps for the U-17 Swedish National Team.

“Konrad is a committed, determined player who has the ability to play several different positions. In a defensive role, he is very comfortable joining the attack and will provide us with some important balance and width this fall.”

JEFF BUMB (Huntington Beach, Calif.): Attended Mater Dei High School … Played for Pateadores Academy in the USSF Academy League … His teams have recently won the Surf Cup, Sereno Cup, Celtic Cup and Pats Cup.

“Jeff is another exciting player who excelled at our winter camp this year. He is coming to Syracuse from an excellent playing environment and I am excited to watch Jeff's progress here in the fall.”

HILLARY ESANGBEDO (Delta State, Nigeria): Transfer from Lincoln Land Community College in Illinois … Named to the Mid-West Athletic Conference First Team and the NJCAA All-North Region First Team in 2009.

“Hillary has the athletic tools to allow him to compete in the BIG EAST Conference. We are looking forward to having his experience on the field for us next year.”

KENE EZE (Sayreville, N.J.): Attended Sayreville High School … New Jersey Gatorade Player of the Year finalist … Middlesex County Player of the Year … Named first-team all-state by the Star-Ledger … ESPN Rise New Jersey Top 10 prospect.

“Kene has the pace and athleticism to make life uncomfortable for opposing defenses. We are excited to have Kene join us here at Syracuse.”

FREDRIK FORSMAN (Gothenburg, Sweden): Transfer from the University of Gothenburg and represented Fassbergs IF in Sweden … Scored 31 goals in two seasons … Leading goal scorer in Sweden's second division.

"Fredrik has played at a high level and will be a threat with his pace and directness. We feel that he will make a quick transition to our level of play and he possesses the ability to score important goals for our young squad.”

ROBERT HUGHES (Liverpool, England): Captained both the Liverpool Counties U-18 Team and England Colleges U-18 Team … Also a member of the Burscough U-18 Team.

“Rob is a physical, vocal defender who will immediately add experience and a presence to our back four. He is a player who we feel will immediately adjust to life in the BIG EAST.”

MICHAEL JOHANSSON (Vallentuna, Sweden): Experienced midfielder who has served as a team captain for Vallentuna BK.

“Michael is a technical midfield player who possesses good vision and an excellent range of passing. We feel that Michael can provide excellent service into our attacking players and will also chip in with some important goals during his career here at Syracuse.”

JAKOB KARLGREN (Gothenburg, Sweden): Transfer from Hartwick College … Started all 18 games for the Hawks in 2009 … Scored a goal against Western Michigan … All-region player for BK Haken prior to coming to the United States.

“Jakob is an experienced player who comes to Syracuse with an excellent pedigree. He is a calm, composed defender who will be able to make an immediate transition to competition in the BIG EAST.”

STEPHEN KRACHIE (Marlboro, N.J.): Named the Monmouth County Player of the Year and a first-team all-state selection at Christian Brothers Academy in New Jersey … All-Shore Media Player of the Year … Center back for the Chelsea Match Fit Academy in the USSF Academy League.

“Stephen is a very gifted, composed soccer player. He possesses strong technical ability which will allow him to be a versatile player for us.”

JON MANGRAM (Syracuse, N.Y.): Attended Manlius Pebble Hill School … First-team all-state selection … 2009 OHSL Liberty League Player of the Year … Scored seven goals and had two assists last season.

“Jon is a strong, athletic player who will be able to play several roles for us. He is a local player who excelled at our winter camp and he has been a great late pick up for the fall.”

NICK ROYDHOUSE (Palmerston, New Zealand): Transfer from Hartwick College … 2009 Mid-American Conference (MAC) Second Team … Scored two goals and had nine assists in two years at Hartwick … Hartwick's second-leading scorer with 11 points (2g, 7a) in 2009… Represented New Zealand at the 2007 U-20 World Cup in Canada.

“Nick is a dynamic, technical player who will provide excellent service into our strikers. He is very comfortable on the soccer ball, loves to run at defenders, and will contribute important goals for the team.”

SKYLER RUSSELL (Springfield, Mo.): Attended Kickapoo High School … Earned all-state honors as a senior … Tallied 97 goals and 68 assists in his scholastic career … Member of the U-18 Scott Gallagher U.S. Development Academy Team.

“He is a technically gifted player who will provide our team with excellent balance. Skyler's passion for the game is contagious and we will be looking for him to compete immediately for a role in our midfield unit.”

CHRIS SAUL (Pasadena, Md.) Transfer from Longwood University … Started 15 games for the Lancers in 2009 and scored two goals … Had one goal in 2008 … Attended Chesapeake High School where he earned all-state and all-metro honors.

“Chris Saul has already made the adjustment to college soccer and this will place him in good stead for the fall campaign. He is a player who we feel can add something a little different to our program and provide us an important attacking spark.”

SAM TOVER (Boca Raton, Fla.): Four-year starter for West Boca Raton High School … All-Palm Beach County First Team … Captain of the Wellington Valley Wave Soccer Club that won three state titles … Member of the Shultz Academy team that won the 2009 Super Y League national championship.

“Sam is a talented midfield player who has come through our camp program here at Syracuse. We are excited to work with him this fall.”

JEREMY VUOLO (Downingtown, Pa.): Transfer from Hartwick College … 2009 Mid-American Conference (MAC) Goalkeeper of the Year … 2009 MAC First Team … Played in 53 career games for Hartwick with 18 shutouts … Attended Downingtown West High School.

“He's developed into of the premier goalkeepers in the region and we are delighted to have him join us here at Syracuse University. He possesses a tremendous work ethic and he has evolved into a dominant presence in the goal.”

CHRIS ZUNIGA (Spring, Texas) Attended Klein Collins High School … Earned All-Greater Houston District 13-5A First Team honors as a senior.

“Chris has the physical attributes to successfully make the adjustment to college soccer in the BIG EAST and we look forward to observing Chris' development over the next few years. “

Syracuse University Athletics

Related News

Related Videos