WILMINGTON, North Carolina – UNCW head men's soccer coach
Aidan Heaney will welcome an incoming class of four players for the 2017 season.
Jonathan Gomes of Cooper City, Fla., and
Alejandro Saez of Sugar Land, Texas, join state recruits
Max Groover of Cary, N.C., and
Drew Rabil of Raleigh, N.C., as the members of the Seahawks' incoming class.
"We are delighted to be adding another strong class of student-athletes to our team this coming fall," said Heaney, who enters his 17th season as the Seahawks' bench boss this fall. "Not only are they talented players, but they fit our profile of being excellent students and high character guys who we feel can help us continue to compete at the highest levels of Division I men's soccer.
"Max, Drew and Alejandro are all coming from top-level academy teams in the Carolina Railhawks and Houston Dynamo, which win consistently," Heaney continued. "Jonathan is coming from a good non-Academy team in which he plays a major role as its goalkeeper. I expect these guys to prepare well and come in and compete right away in preseason on an already talented returning squad."
2017 UNCW Men's Soccer Recruits
Jonathan Gomes
Position: Goalkeeper
Height: 6-2
Weight: 195
Hometown: Cooper City, Fla.
High School: American Heritage School
Club Team: Davie United Soccer Club
Highlights: Member of 2016 Disney Showcase Championship team and Florida State Cup quarterfinalist with Davie United Soccer Club … also participated in CASL Showcase, Dallas Cup and Tomeo Internazionale Di Calcio Giovanile events … posted 14 shutouts with just four goals allowed in 18 contests last season … two-year letter winner for high school volleyball team.
Max Groover
Position: Defender
Height: 6-0
Weight: 170
Hometown: Cary, N.C.
High School: Green Hope
Club Team: Capital Area Railhawks Academy
Highlights: One of 32 players selected nationwide by Generation adidas for Madrid trip … has been a member of the Capital Area Railhawks Academy since its inception … started 8-of-12 games in 2016 after appearing in 29 games during 2015 campaign … participated in USSDA Winter Showcase, Academy Playoffs in Indiana and Texas, and CASL Showcase events.
Drew Rabil
Position: Defender
Height: 6-0
Weight: 155
Hometown: Raleigh, N.C.
High School: Cardinal Gibbons
Club Team: Capital Area Railhawks Academy
Highlights: Three-year starter for Cardinal Gibbons High School before playing entire senior season for Capital Area Railhawks Academy … earned All-Metro Team distinction by Raleigh News & Observer in 2014 … led team to 2014 state championship … scored team-high 24 goals as a sophomore … two-time all-region and all-conference pick … two-time NCYSA State Cup champion with CASL 98 Red … member of 2016 USYSA Region III championship team … named as co-recipient of MVP award at 2016 Region III Championships for the U-17 Boys Division … also participated in USSDA Winter Showcase, CASL Showcase, Jefferson Cup and Disney Winter Showcase events … played basketball for high school team as a freshman.
Alejandro Saez
Position: Defender
Height: 6-0
Weight: 155
Hometown: Sugar Land, Texas
High School: William P. Clements
Club Team: Houston Dynamo Academy
Highlights: Starter in 12 games this season for the U18 Houston Dynamo academy team … participated in USSDA Winter Showcase and USSDA Academy Playoffs the past three years with Houston Dynamo U16 and U18 teams … played sophomore season with Clements High School and led the team in goals on its way to first-ever state championship.
