March 10, 2009
Watch Coach Cirovski Discuss the 2009 Class
COLLEGE PARK, Md. -
The Maryland men's soccer program and head coach Sasho Cirovski have announced yet another stellar signing class in 2009, as eight premier student-athletes are poised to compete with the reigning national champion Terps.
Jordan Cyrus (Virginia Beach, Va./Norfolk Academy), Taylor Kemp (Highlands Ranch, Colo./Mountain Vista HS), Jake Pace (Columbia, Md./River Hill HS), John Stertzer (Oakton, Va./Flint HS), Paul Torres (Bethesda, Md./Walt Whitman HS), London Woodberry (McKinney, Texas/McKinney HS) and Norris Ethan White (Kensington, Md./Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School) have all signed National Letters of Intent to play for Maryland beginning this fall. The group will join Olivier Lacoste-Lebuis (Montreal Quebec, Canada/College de Montreal) who is already enrolled with the Terps this spring.
"Collectively this group brings a great deal of talent, athleticism, and a competitive fiber that I know our fans will appreciate," Cirovski said. "Individually, they bring a wealth of diverse skills and the infusion of this incoming group along with our strong and experienced returning group of players makes me very confident that we will be ready for the challenge of maintaining our competitive excellence. I can't wait to get them all on campus!"
Below is rundown of this year's signing class:
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JORDAN CYRUS
Virginia Beach, Va. • 5'10" - 174
Norfolk Academy
Before Maryland: ESPN Rise Magazine First Team All-American...two-time NSCAA All-American...all-time leading goal scorer at Norfolk Academy (122 goals)...member of the Virginia Rush U18 Development Academy Team...VISSA Co-State Player of the Year in 2007 and 2008...First Team All-State and Tidewater Conference of Independent Schools Player of the Year as a junior and a senior...First Team All-TCIS three seasons at Norfolk.
Personal: Full name is Jordan Christopher Cyrus...the son of Charles and Angela Cyrus...born December 17, 1990...has two brothers, TJ and Jayson...TJ plays soccer at Virginia...lists his biggest sports thrill as scoring goals and his craziest ambition is to win an Oscar....born in Monterrey, Calif.
Cirovski on Cyrus: "Jordan is a very explosive and versatile player. He is capable of playing multiple positions on the field. His combination of technical ability and physical strength will be great attributes for his development and contribution to our program."
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TAYLOR KEMP
Highlands Ranch, Colo. • 5'11 - 150
Mountain Vista HS
Before Maryland: Rated the No. 2 recruit by ESPN Rise Magazine... NSCAA All-American in 2008...member of the U18 and U20 National Pool ...traveled to England and Argentina as a member of the US youth national teams....member of the Real Colorado U18 US Development Academy...named to the U18 US Soccer Development Academy Starting IX... rated the No. 3 recruit by Top Drawer Soccer...scored two goals to help lead Mountain Vista to the state championship in 2007...NSCAA All-American , All-State, and team offensive and defensive MVP as a senior...All-State Academic all four years in high school.
Personal: Full name is Taylor Eric Kemp...the son of Dr. John and Franny Kemp...born July 23, 1990...has two sisters, Kristen and Lauren...Kristen played soccer at Wake Forest from 2003-07...chose Maryland because of the sports traditions, exciting atmosphere and best chance to win a national championship.
Cirovski on Kemp: "Taylor is the best HS aged left-back in the country. He has great attacking instincts and is very comfortable on the ball. He has a gifted left foot his approach to the game will fit very well with what we're trying to do."
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OLIVIER LACOSTE- LEBUIS
Montreal, Quebec Canada • 6'4" - 175
College de Montreal
Before Maryland: Member of U17 and U20 Canadian National Team...competed for Canada U17s team in CONCACF qualifying tournament...member of U20 Canadian National Team in 2007...FIFA U20 World Cup... 2007 Canadian Youth Player of the Year...2008 Quebec Senior Player of the Year...two-year member of the French Club Racing Strasbourg U18 Academy Team.
Personal: Born in Montreal on August 28, 1990...speaks fluent French and English...chose Maryland over a pro contract...enrolled with the Terps early in the spring of 2009.
Cirovski on Lacoste-Lebuis: "Olivier is a special player. He is an extremely talented multi-dimensional player. His background and experiences will allow him to make immediate contributions to our program."
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JAKE PACE
Columbia, Md. • 6'2" - 200
River Hill HS
Before Maryland: Washington Post All-Met First Team...two-time Baltimore Sun All-Met First Team...two-time First Team All-State...Washington Post All-Met First Team in 2008 after being named to the second team in 2007...won a pair of state championships with River Hill...also wrestled for the Hawks.
Personal: Full name is Jacob Pace...the son of Jeffery and Bonnie Pace...father played football at the University of Wyoming...born May 29, 1991...member of National Honors Society, Student Government Association and Athletic Leadership Council...lists his biggest sports thrill as scoring the winning goal in the state championship game...chose Maryland because of the great program...fourth generation to attend Maryland.
Cirovski on Pace: "Jake is not your prototypical soccer player. He has great agility and athletic ability for a guy of his size. Jake is a handful regardless of his position on the field. He is a great competitor and we're looking forward to seeing him develop in our environment."
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JOHN STERTZER
Oakton, Va. • 6'0" - 170
Flint Hill HS
Before Maryland: Two-time Washington Post All-Met First Team...2007 All-Met Virginia Player of the Year... four-year varsity player and three-time team MVP at Flint Hill High School...scored 105 goals during his career at Flint...played a year up as a member of the Potomac U18 Development Academy, where he led the team in scoring.
Personal: Full name is John Patrick Stertzer...the son of Annette Stertzer and David Stertzer...father, David, briefly played football at Washington State...born Oct. 4, 1990...has one sister, Meaghan...chose Maryland because of the level of competitiveness in the ACC and the coaching staff and players...lists Michael Jordan as his favorite athlete.
Cirovski on Stertzer: "John is a very gifted technical player. He can play in the attacking midfield or striker and has the rare ability to be the provider or the finisher. John's best days are ahead of him and we look forward to seeing his progression."
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PAUL TORRES
Bethesda Md. • 5'8" - 150
Walt Whitman HS
Before Maryland: Member of the DC United U18 Development Academy Team...named to the USSF U16 Development Academy starting IX in 2008...selected to the Disney Showcase All-Star team traveling to Chelsea in summer of 2009...three-time state champion at Walt Whitman High School...D.C. United Player of the Year....U-17 MLS Cup MVP...two-time First Team All-State, All-Gazette, All-County, All-Met and All-South.
Personal: Full name is Paul Esteban Torres...the son of Gerver and Carolina Torres...born Oct. 22, 1991...has one brother, Sebastian...meditates before every game...born in Caracas, Venezuela...chose Maryland to excel and challenge himself on-and-off the field.
Cirovski on Torres: "Paul has a great feel for the game. He is a very good passer and his technical ability allows him to create opportunities for his team in a variety of ways."
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LONDON WOODBERRY
McKinney, Texas • 6'1" - 160
McKinney HS
Before Maryland: Member of the U18 US National Team which won a gold medal at Australian International Olympic festival with current GK Zac MacMath...member of the FC Dallas U18 Development Academy Team...NSCAA All-American, Mr. McKinney Soccer and McKinneynews.net Elite 11 in 2008.
Personal: Full name is London Woodberry...the son of Steve and Eleshia Norman...has three brothers, Micah, Braxton and Jaxen...lists his biggest sports thrill as playing on the national team...came to Maryland because he had a "gut feeling it was the right place".
Cirovski on Woodberry: "London is one of the most athletic and dynamic players in our recruiting class. He has exceptional pace and tremendous potential."
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NORRIS ETHAN WHITE
Kensington, Md. • 5'11" - 175
Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School
Before Maryland: Member of US U-18 National Team Pool...member of D.C. United U-18 Academy...scored ten goals and dished out five assists for the 2007 Maryland State Champion Barons... Washington Post All-Met Second Team in 2007 and First Team All-Gazette in 2007 and 2008...2003 Junior Olympic gold medalist in the pentathlon and earned a silver in the 1500m.
Personal: Full name is Norris Ethan White...the son of Norris Q. White and Peggy Williams...born Jan. 1, 1991...lists his non-sports hero as Barack Obama...chose Maryland because it was an amazing school with an amazing soccer program.
Cirovski on White: "Ethan is a great athlete and a great competitor. He can play any of the back four positions. He is capable of both destructing and constructing plays as a defender."
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