Feb. 8, 2011
COLLEGE PARK, Md. -
Head coach Sasho Cirovski has added five student-athletes to his 19th signing class at Maryland, the program announced Tuesday.
Kyle Roach and Alex Shinsky are already on campus as spring enrollees after graduating from high school a semester early. Maryland will welcome Dan Metzger, Keith Cardona, and Jordan Tatum this upcoming fall.
Four members of this year's class landed in College Soccer News' Top 150 Recruits in 2011. Maryland boasted three of the top 63 recruits nationally, according to TopDrawerSoccer.com, including Shinsky, who was listed as the top overall prospect by the site.
"We are thrilled to bolster our team with this outstanding class," Cirovski said. "Just as with our group of freshmen last year, we believe every one of these incoming players will make a lasting impact in our program. Fans will thoroughly enjoy seeing the athleticism and skill of these five players. We were able to fill certain voids left by graduation and MLS SuperDraft and Homegrown signees. The future looks incredibly bright."
The Terps return 19 letterwinners from the 2010 unit that registered Maryland's second Atlantic Coast Conference Championship in a mere three seasons.
Below is rundown of this year's signing class:
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KEITH CARDONA
Ridgewood, N.J. • 6'4" - 200
Glen Rock HS
Before Maryland: A member of the U-17 and U-18 U.S. National Team...two-time NSCAA All-American and Parade All-American while enrolled at Glen Rock... joins fellow classmates Dan Metzger and Kyle Roach as products of the New York Red Bull Academy...played with academy from U-14 to U-18, where he helped guide the squad to two State Cup titles under head coach Paul O'Donnell.
Personal: Son of Matthew and Pamela Cardona ...full name is Keith Francis Cardona...born Nov.7, 1992 ... has one sister ... lists his sports hero as Gianluigi Buffon ... lists one of his best accomplishments as going to the U-17 World Cup in Nigeria...majoring in business/marketing.
Cirovski on Cardona: "Keith is a terrific young goalkeeper with tremendous potential. He has all of the qualities necessary to have a big impact in our program. He has a wonderful attitude, a great work ethic and a great physique. His experience with various U.S. Youth National Teams and the New York Red Bull Academy has allowed him to tap some of his potential, but the best is yet to come. Keith will compete for playing time immediately."
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DAN METZGER
Staten Island, N.Y. • 5'9" - 155
Holmdel HS
Before Maryland: Member of U-18 U.S. National Team...joins fellow classmates Keith Cardona and Kyle Roach as products of the New York Red Bull Academy... TopDrawerSoccer.com No. 14-rated recruit in 2011 and ranked No. 29 by College Soccer News...tabbed an ESPN High School All-American, Parade All-American and First Team A-Central, Group 3, All-County, All-State, All-Shore, and NSCAA All-Region while enrolled at Holmdel...also named Monmouth Player of the Year and Ausbery Park Press Player of the Year...helped Hornets to a Group 3 State Championship and a 22-1 record while registering 16 goals and 16 assists.... U.S. Soccer Development Academy U-16 National Starting XI for 2009-10 season.
Personal: Full name is Daniel James Metzger...son of Roger and Christine Metzger...born on August 6, 1993 ... has two brothers, Mike and Tom...lists his sports hero as Cristiano Ronaldo...chose Maryland because he "loves the sports atmosphere"...undecided on major.
Cirovski on Metzger: "Dan is a big time box-to-box midfielder. A skillful player with a great engine, he will remind Terp fans of Stephen King with his ability to keep the ball in the tight situations and his tactical awareness is mature beyond his years. His successful international experience with the U.S. U-18 National Team proves that he is one of the top midfielders in the country. His appetite for the game is unbelievable. He will have an immediate impact."
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KYLE ROACH
Plainsboro, N.J. • 5'10" - 185
The Pennington School
Before Maryland: No. 34-ranked recruit in the nation by College Soccer News ...listed as No. 63 on TopDrawerSoccer.com's list...member of the New York Red Bull Academy along with classmates Keith Cardona and Dan Metzger...an Academic All-American for Chad Bridges and Maryland alum Ed Gauss at The Pennington School...graduated with a 3.75 GPA...also volunteered for the Special Olympics... U.S. Soccer Development Academy U-16 East Conference Starting XI for 2009-10 season.
Personal: Full name is Kyle Charles Roach ... son of William and Winona Roach ... born on March 8, 1993 in Raleigh, N.C.... has three brothers, Alger, William, Jr., and Tony ... enrolled a semester early at Maryland...lists his sports hero as Zidane...his craziest ambition is to sky dive...career plans include civil engineering...major is undecided.
Cirovski on Roach: "Kyle is a very strong and powerful left-footed defender. He can play both centrally and on the outside. He has a great presence on the field and has proven leadership qualities. He is currently training with our team and showing improvement daily. He has great feet and a soft touch. When he reaches his peak fitness and adjusts to the speed of the game, he will compete for significant playing time."
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ALEX SHINSKY
York, Pa. • 5'9" - 150
West York Area HS
Before Maryland: TopDrawerSoccer.com's No. 1-rated recruit in 2011...the No. 2-ranked recruit in the nation by College Soccer News...member of U-17 U.S. National Team...played at West York Area where he was an all-state selection four years and a Senior Parade All-American from 2009-2011....scored a goal for the U.S. U-17 National Team in the FIFA World Cup in Malawi...also played club soccer for SuperNova FC and coach Niki Nikolic.
Personal: Full name is Joseph Alexander Shinsky ... son of Anthony Shinsky and Justine Kloske ... born on April 2, 1993 ... has one brother, Max, that plays soccer at Robert Morris and one sister, Elise ... enrolled a semester early at Maryland ...favorite pregame meal is pasta and would play basketball if he could play another sport at Maryland ... chose Maryland for the "great soccer program and great atmosphere"...undecided on major.
Cirovski on Shinsky: "Alex is a tremendous talent. I feel that he was the top high school prospect for the 2011 class. His play with the U.S. U-17 National Team justifies all of the attention he has garnered. His character and his internal disposition will allow him to continue to grow to great heights. He is an extremely skillful and focused young man. His tenacity and competitiveness are as good as it gets. We are looking forward to getting him on the field early this spring."
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JORDAN TATUM
Manassas, Va. • 6'2" - 185
Osbourn HS
Before Maryland: Competed for Osbourn and coaches Dave Larson and Eric Mauk all four seasons...as a freshman and sophomore, the Eagles were district champions, going 14-1 in 2007...a three-year starter, Tatum was tabbed second team all-district and named to the preseason all-area team in 2010...competed with the Virginia State ODP in trips to Germany and Costa Rica...squad was 2003 ODP champs and region 1 champs...also played for McLean Academy.
Personal: Full name is Jordan Timothy Tatum ... son of Paul Tatum and Jane Tatum ... born on Feb. 6, 1993 ... has twin siblings Ryan and Brittany, who are enrolled at Virginia Tech ... craziest ambition is climb Mount Everest ... chose Maryland because of its "great reputation, nationally-recognized soccer program and great coaching staff."
Cirovski on Tatum: "Jordan was discovered at our Elite Camp last summer. He impressed the coaching staff with his ability and personality. He has all of the tools to become a great goalkeeper. He is an athletic player who will continue to improve on a daily basis and will challenge both Will (Swaim) and Keith for playing time."
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