Endicott Men's Soccer Announces 2017 Recruiting Class

BEVERLY, Mass. — Endicott men's soccer head coach Joe Calabrese is pleased to announce his recruiting class for upcoming the 2017 season.

The class of 2021 features 12 graduating high school seniors set to join the Gulls' program: Steven Avery (Schenectady, N.Y.), Jamie Becker (Fairfield, Conn.), Shane Ebanks (Upton, Mass.), Jesse Haines (Villanova, Pa.), Will Hartan (Hebron, Conn.), Brandon Haughton (Hartford, Conn.), Will Manual (Mount Pleasant, S.C.), Joseph Naylor (Southbury, Conn.), Max Robbins (Longmeadow, Mass.), Camden Stockdale (Durham, Conn.), Sean Stoeppel (Brookfield, Conn.), and Alex Vuksta (Hudson, Ohio).

Coach Calabrese, heading into his seventh year at the helm of the program in 2017-18, had this to say about the group:

"Our 2017 recruiting class believes in our soccer culture based around family, working hard, and continuously improving individually to support the growth and success of our soccer program. I truly believe this group of talented young men will help elevate our program to national relevance."

The newest flock of Gulls will look to build upon the success of the program, as Endicott (12-5-3) finished the 2016 season as the regular-season Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) Champions to earn the No. 1 seed heading into the conference tournament for the second straight year before falling in the CCC Semifinals. The Gulls have now won 12 or more matches in each of the past three seasons with playoff appearances in each of the past seven years.

"Our institution's mission of learning through experiential learning and our internship experiences certainly supports the recruitment of student-athletes with impressive academic profiles and diverse backgrounds. The internship program is what makes Endicott unique. It allows our coaching staff to recruit high-end talent because families trust that the Endicott curriculum and internships will lead to a great job following graduation," said Calabrese. "I have to give credit to our team, parents, the coaching staff, and the Endicott Office of Admission, because they ultimately helped us identify a group that could add to the quality of our team at specific positions and serve the Endicott community as a whole. "

Led by a trio of senior team captains, Ryan Cohane (Easton, Conn.), Robert Hartan (Hebron, Conn.), and Carter Ocko (Danvers, Mass.), Endicott returns to the pitch on Friday, September 1st when the Gulls open the 2017 campaign at home against Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

ENDICOTT MEN'S SOCCER 2017 RECRUITING CLASS

STEVEN AVERY | BACK | 6-1/175 | SCHENECTADY, N.Y. | MOHONASEN HS | FC DUTCHMEN

Highlights: Four-year varsity starter and two-year captain at Mohonasen... Led team in goals (8) and assists (12) his senior season...Suburban Council All-Star and Second Team selection... Two-time Eastern New York Premier League runner-up with FC Dutchmen... Western New York Premier League Champions

Why Endicott? "I chose Endicott because of the amazing opportunities it offers me. Academically, I can learn and grow, and with the internship program to help me apply what I learn, I see an amazing opportunity to become prepared for life after college. Also, the soccer team and Coach Calabrese have a great program that will help me grow and improve as a player, and with their motivation to win, I see a bright future here at Endicott."

JAMIE BECKER | FORWARD | 6-0/180 | FAIRFIELD, CONN. | FAIRFIELD PREP | SHORELINE FC

Highlights: Club team Shoreline FC ranked No. 24 in the nation... 2015 Super Y National Champions... State Champions 2015/16... EDP Division North Champions... EDP Open Cup Runner-Up... Two-time Manhattan Kickoff Champions... Played in England against West Ham, Watford, and Leeds Academies High School... Fairfield Prep Career Goal Total: 18 Goals, 11 Assists... Three-year varsity player... Led the team in goals his sophomore year... Fairfield Prep Coaches Award... SCC Champions... Two-time Quinnipiac Conference Champions... Two-time New Haven Registrar Player of the Week... All-SCC 2nd Team... Team captain as a  senior... State semifinalist as a senior

Why Endicott? "I chose Endicott because of the Exercise Science program and the well-respected academic environment that each student experiences. I feel that Endicott will allow me to thrive both in the classroom and on the soccer field. Coach Calabrese's focus is evident and I feel I will become a better player and person by playing for him. Coach Calabrese and the team are determined and driven and I can only see success in the program's future. The team has a family mentality and everyone shares the same love for soccer as I do."

SHANE EBANKS | MIDFIELD | 5-9/160 | UPTON, MASS. | WORCESTER ACADEMY | GPS NPL

Highlights: Three-time district finalist and 2013 state semifinalist at Nipmuc Regional High-School... Team captain as a senior... Four-year varsity starter... Two-year ODP First Team starter... 2016 WNEPPSA league champs and NEPSAC Class 'A' finalists at Worcester Academy

Why Endicott? "I chose Endicott because of the exciting growth of both the school's academics and soccer program. My education and use of the internship program will set me up to be successful later in life and Coach Cal has built an exciting soccer culture and program that I want to be a part of and help grow."

JESSE HAINES | GOALKEEPER | 6-1/185 | VILLANOVA, PA. | SHIPLEY SCHOOL | EUROPA ELITE

Highlights: Played three years for FCUSA prior to joining FC Europa Elite… Won Pennsylvania Indoor State Cup… Selected to play for regional team in the Donosti Cup, San Sebastian Spain… Selected to play for regional team in MIC Tournament (Mediterranean International Cup), Barcelona Spain… Won Friends League Championship… All-League and All-Area Selection at Shipley School

Why Endicott? "From the moment I stepped on Endicott's campus, I knew it was the place that I wanted to spend the next chapter of my life.  I wanted to be a part of the close-knit family that the Endicott community prides itself in being.  I was drawn to the strong leadership examples of Coach Cal, Vice President Redman and the future teammates I met.  The practical education that is the focus of Endicott will provide me with the skills I will need to be successful in all future endeavors."

WILL HARTAN | BACK | 5-9/145 | HEBRON, CONN. | RHAM HS | OAKWOOD ACADEMY

Highlights: Won the USSDA U-16 Northeast Division... Registered eight clean sheets... Qualified for playoffs in 2016 at 16-5-6 ranking ninth in the country... Currently a starter on the U-17/18 Oakwood team

Why Endicott? "I chose Endicott because of its internship programs and it was the right academic fit for me. I liked the location considering it is not too far from my home. Endicott has a wonderful campus, and a great soccer team and I can't wait to join the school."

BRANDON HAUGHTON | MIDFIELD | 5-9/170 | HARTFORD, CONN. | LAW AND GOVERNMENT ACADEMY | OAKWOOD ACADEMY

Highlights: Ranked Top 50 in the country in 2016 by topdrawersoccer... Won the USSDA U16 Northeast Division title with a record of 16-5-6 for Oakwood Academy... Qualified and competed in USSDA playoffs in 2016... Leading goal scorer for New York Red Bulls in 2012-2013... Four-time Nutmeg State Games Champion... Invited to several U.S. Market Training Centers each year... Invited to a U.S. Training Combine

Why Endicott? "I chose Endicott because of the internship opportunities and the location considering that it's not very far from Boston. I also love the beautiful campus. It was just a great fit for me soccer and school wise."

WILL MANUEL | GOALKEEPER | 6-4/210 | MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C. | WANDO HS | USA/MP PREMIER

Highlights: 2016 State Cup Finalists... 2016 Congaree Cup Champions... Cub team qualified for Southern Region III Championships in June 2017... Four-year varsity soccer student-athlete... 2014 SCISL State Finalist... 2015 AAAA State Finalist with a 25-2 record and zero goals against... 2016 Nike Palmetto Cup Winner with a 26-2 record... Allowed just four goals for a 0.332 goals against average... 2017 Nike Palmetto Cup Winner... 17-0 record with three goals against for a 0.28 goals against average this season so far... High school team currently ranked No. 1 nationally by TopDrawerSoccer, USA Today and MaxPreps

Why Endicott? "I chose Endicott for the academic programs, the small class sizes, the career advancement opportunities, and the school's location. I love that the College is close to Boston and is in Beverly, the town I was born in. Joining Endicott's soccer program will allow me to be a true student-athlete and I'm excited to be part of Coach Cal's team."

JOSEPH NAYLOR | MIDFIELD | 5-9/175 | SOUTHBURY, CONN. | POMPERAUG HS | OAKWOOD ACADEMY

Highlights: USSDA U16 Northeast Division Champions... Club team ranked ninth in the country during the 2015-16 season with a record of 16-5-6... USSDA playoff appearances

Why Endicott? "I chose to attend Endicott College because it provides a vibrant environment to challenge and motivate me both academically and athletically."

MAX ROBBINS | MIDFIELD | 6-0/170 | LONGMEADOW, MASS. | LONGMEADOW HS | WESTERN UNITED PIONEERS

Highlights: Scored 34 career goals with 28 assists in high school… 2015 Western Mass. Division 1 Champions… 2015 Western Mass. Tournament MVP... 2015 Player of the Year... Total points leader in all of Western Mass. Division 1... 2015 All-State award as a juinor and senior... Three-time All-League  selection with First Team nods as a junior and senior... Team captain as a senior... Played in the Senior All-Star match... Leading point scorer from 2014-16 on his club team... Two-time NPL champions with the Western United Pioneers... State Cup Finalist in 2015, 2016… Captain of U-19 A Team

Why Endicott? "I chose Endicott because the first time I stepped on campus I felt like I belonged. The academic and soccer opportunities seem endless. The soccer program is on the rise and is striving for success, which I want to be a part of."

CAMDEN STOCKDALE | GOALKEEPER | 5-10/165 | DURHAM, CONN. | COGINCHAUG REGIONAL HS | OAKWOOD ACADEMY

Highlights: Starting goalkeeper for Oakwood Soccer Club in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy (USSDA) for the past seven years... Invited to and attended two U.S. Soccer Training Centers in 2015 and one training center in 2016..... Won the USSDA U16 Northeast Division title with a record of 16-5-6 with Oakwood Academy... Qualified and competed in the USSDA playoffs in 2016... FC Stars Tournament MVP

Why Endicott? "I think that Endicott provides the best tools to breed success. From the nursing clinicals to the classroom, to the sense of community and to the family mentality among the team, it all aggregates to being a terrific college for me. Endicott will help me be academically, personally, and professionally successful in every sense of the word."

SEAN STOEPPEL | BACK | 6-3/185 | BROOKFIELD, CONN. | BROOKFIELD HS | AC CONNECTICUT

Highlights: Four-year member varsity squad and three-year starter... Two-time varsity team captain... Helped lead the team to its best record in school history (22-1-2) and won the Patriot League, SWC Championship, Class M State Championship as a senior... Named CHSCA Connecticut Team of the Year his senior season... Named to the SWC All-Patriot team and selected to participate in the CIAC All-Star Senior Bowl…  Member of the Varsity Golf team and Senior Captain…  SWC All-Conference Academic Team in soccer and gold… CFC United team finalists at Nationals

Why Endicott? "I fell in love with Endicott the first time I drove through campus.  I chose Endicott because of its great reputation, outstanding Athletic Training Program, and high caliber soccer.  I am excited about Coach Cal's vision for the team and looking forward to joining the Endicott Soccer Family."

ALEX VUKSTA | MIDFIELD | 6-0/160 | HUDSON, OHIO | HUDSON HS | INTERNATIONALS

Highlights: 2011 Ohio ODP team... 2012 Super Y National Semi-Finalists... 2015 FC Delco Champions... Three-year letterman in high school... Conference Champion, District Champion, and Regional Finalist with a 15-4-2 record as a sophomore... Two-year team captain... Led team in assists as a team captain in both his junior year and senior years... Named First Team All-Conference and Honorable Mention All-District as a junior... District Finalist with a 9-8-3 record as a junior... Conference Champion and District Champion as a senior... Honored as Conference Player of the Year as a senior... Garnered First Team All-District, Second Team All-State, All-Greater Akron All-Star accolades as a senior... Earned Team MVP honors with a 15-3-3 record as a senior

Why Endicott? "I chose Endicott because it stood out to me more than any other colleges I visited. It has a great internship program here and a growing soccer program. I'm looking forward to meeting my new family."