St. John's University Athletics
Masur Announces 2009 Men's Soccer Signees
5/26/2009 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
May 26, 2009
QUEENS, N.Y. - Head men's soccer coach Dr. Dave Masur has announced seven signees for the upcoming 2009 season. The Red Storm return a strong squad following a successful 2008 season in which the team reached the College Cup for the fourth time and posted a 19-3-3 record. The team was ranked No. 4 in the country in the final poll of the season and won a league-best 13th BIG EAST Title. Rafael Diaz, Omar Edwards, Marc Godelman, Adrian L'Esperance, Nick Matthews, Jimmy Mulligan and Alex Naples form the talented class of freshman that will join the Red Storm in the fall.
Diaz, a goalkeeper, was a two-time NSCAA High School All-American, a two-time NSCAA High School All-Region selection and is currently part of the U-18 National Team. The 2008-09 New Jersey Gatorade Player of the Year, Diaz was a three-time first team all-conference selection and a two-time first team all-State honoree. As a senior Diaz was also a NSCAA US Youth Soccer All-American and the NSCAA New Jersey Player of the Year.
"Rafael is extremely athletic and is one of the best goalkeepers coming out of high school," Masur stated.
A forward/midfielder, Edwards led Hillcrest to the City Championship finals in 2008. Edwards played for the New York State team in the ODP National Tournament in both 2007 and 2008, helping lead the team to second and third place finishes, respectively. Edwards has played an integral role as a member of the MetOval Academy team.
"Omar is a hard working player that shows technique and the ability to score as he led his Academy team in scoring despite missing half the season last year," said Masur.
An ODP adidas All-American, Godelman was a member of the New Jersey State Champion Parsippany Soccer Club. A forward, Godelman has five years of ODP experience and two years of Super-Y National Select experience.
"Marc shows great skill on the ball and has the ability to go past defenders and create opportunities for himself and the team, while showing great composure around the goal," Masur said.
L'Esperance was a two-time all-state and all-district selection at Canterbury High School. The midfielder was a member of the 2007 Indiana State Cup Champion Fort Wayne Fever and was named to the Super Y League All-Tournament team as a senior.
"Adrian is a player that works hard all over the field and handles the ball with great composure," Masur added.
A team captain at Patchogue Medford, Mulligan earned all-state, all-county and all-region accolades as a senior. The midfielder was also a New York State All-Star as a senior and an all-county selection as a junior.
"Jimmy is great on the ball and has the ability to eliminate players off the dribble as well as keep his teammates involved all over the field," stated Masur.
A goalkeeper, Naples started for two seasons at St. Anthony's and was an all-state, all-league and all-academic selection as a senior. Naples went 20-0-1 with 12 shutouts and a 0.33 goals against average in helping St. Anthony's to league and state championship titles in 2008.
"Alex is the starting goalkeeper for the MetOval Academy team and is both technically and tactically very sound for a young keeper," added Masur.
Matthews was an All-Southeast Conference selection as a senior at Wissahickon High School. The midfielder played with the U-18 FC Delco Academy team and has participated in two Super-Y League National ODP camp programs.
"Nick is a hard working and athletic young player," Masur said.
