Men's soccer announces Class of 2023

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Bryant University men's soccer head coach Seamus Purcell announced the Class of 2023 on Wednesday morning.

The seven-member class includes six New Englanders and one from the state of Pennsylvania.

"First, I'd like to thank my two assistant coaches, Nate and Sam, for their outstanding work on recruiting these young men," Purcell said. "This an exceptional and extremely talented class."

Diego Rodriguez – Midfielder | Woodbridge, Conn. | Amity Regional

Has played for Colegio San Ignacio de Loyola in Puerto Rico, Amity Regional and Beachside SC in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy … Helped Colegio San Ignacio de Loyola win a league title, contributing five goals and seven assists as a defender … Named Amity's most outstanding player in his only season as a sophomore, posting three goals and 13 assists … Has played in 38 games for Beachside SC over the last two seasons, registering six goals … Received Connecticut Association of Public School Superintendent's Certificate of Excellence.

Personal: The son of Victor and Yolanda Rodriguez … Has three brothers and one sister.

Purcell on Rodriguez: A very special player, who takes pride in working on both sides of the ball. He is a gifted midfielder, who's ambition and hunger to succeed is exceptional. His pace and technical ability will make the transition from high school to college ball a lot easier.

Jake Spaulding – Center Midfield | Topsfield, Mass. | Pingree School

Earned four varsity letters in soccer, baseball and basketball at Pingree School … Led team to at least nine wins in each of his four seasons, helping Highlanders win the Eastern Independent League title as a senior … Team advanced to the NEPSAC finals … Finished his career with 69 points (34 goals, 35 assists) … Named the EIL Player of the Year as a senior … Boston Globe and Boston Herald All-Scholastic as a senior … Two-time Salem News All-Star … Earned Salem News Honorable Mention honors in both baseball and basketball … Played club soccer for NEFC.

Personal: The son of Bruce and Lisa Spaulding … Has two brothers and one sister.

Purcell on Spaulding: A powerful young man, who has the size and strength to play at the collegiate level right away. He's a versatile player, who can play CB, CM or CF. He has the passion and drive to help him be successful right away.

Nick Awada – Forward/Attacking Midfield | Westford, Mass. | Westford Academy

Played three years of varsity soccer at Westford Academy before spending his senior year with the Boston Bolts Development Academy … Helped NEFC NPL 2000 to a State Cup title in 2015 … Named Westford Academy MVP and a Dual County League All-Star in 2017 … Has played 2018 season with Boston Bolts, registering one goal in 12 games … Honor Roll student.

Personal: The son of Ahmad Awada and Donna Broglino Awada … Has two brothers and two sisters … Sister, Rose, plays soccer at WPI.

Purcell on Awada: Is your quintessential CF; Big, strong and great field awareness. He's self-motivated and a very coachable player. His excellent technical ability, mental toughness and quality club coaching will have him banging on the door for playing time as a freshman.

Matt Supczak – Center Midfielder | Tolland, Conn. | Tolland

Did not play varsity soccer for Tolland High, instead playing for Oakwood Soccer Club in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy … Same club as former standout goalie Nick Stewart … Has appeared in 30 games and made 29 starts on the U-16/17 team this season … Helped team advance to the USSDA Playoffs in San Diego, finishing as one of the top 32 teams in the country … Earned varsity letters in track and field as well … Third in the 4x400m at the 2016 CIAC Class M Indoor State Championships … Second in the SMR at the 2017 CIAC Combined Class M Championship … Member of DECA Club … Finished in top 5% of the nation in H&R Block Budget Challenge … National Honor Society member.

Personal: The son of John and Cindy Supczak … Has a twin brother and a sister.

Purcell on Supczak: Has a special talent of making things look easy on the pitch. His high soccer IQ and tremendous technically ability will allow him to look for some serious playing time this coming fall. He's a natural play maker, who takes pride in setting up goals rather than scoring them.

Andrew Buss – Defense | Huntingdon Valley, Pa. | Lower Moreland

A member of the varsity program for four years and a three-year starter … Captained team his senior year … All-Conference selection and will play in the Southeastern PA All-Star Game … First winner of the Lower Moreland High School Jeff Leister Soccer Pride Award … Plays club soccer for nationally-ranked FC Europa, now known as Unity FC … Helped team win the 2017 US Club PA state title … Leading goal scorer during teams run to the 2018 USYS State semi run … Ranked on TopDrawer as a top 5 defender in the state and top 50 defender in the region … Honor student.

Personal: The son of Gary and Lynn Buss … Has one brother and one sister … Father played soccer at Bryn Athyn College.

Purcell on Buss: A very talented left-footed player that can play either left back or left mid.  He's strong, tough and has great agility, balance and coordination. All these attributes will help him challenge for a starting role on the left side this coming year.

Alex DaCosta – Wing | Bristol, R.I. | LaSalle Academy

DaCosta will join the Bulldogs in January after spending his first three seasons at Providence College … Appeared in 46 games and made 13 starts during his Friar career … Scored three goals and registered seven points … Helped Friars reach the quarterfinals of the NCAA Tournament in 2016 … Played four years of varsity soccer at LaSalle Academy, finishing his career with 46 goals and 37 assists … Helped LaSalle win a pair of state titles, including a perfect 18-0 season as a senior … All-New England and First Team All-Division at LaSalle … Played club soccer for Bayside FC.

Personal: The son of Edward and Renee DaCosta … Has one sister.

Purcell on DaCosta: Alex is a dynamic attacking player, that has tons of talent. He has great feet, quickness, and a knack for finishing that will have an immediate impact on the team. We are very excited to bring Alex to Bryant, he will be a tremendous addition to this program.

Dominick DaCruz – Center Back | White River Junction, Vt. | Kimball Union Academy

Played at Kimball Union Academy and for Lakes Region United … Helped Lakes Region United win the 2016 US Club Soccer National Championship … Led Kimball Union to Lakes Region league championship and a spot in the NEPSAC Class B semi-finals … Named a 2017 NEPSSA Junior All-Star … Competed on the 2018 GPS Bayern Munich National Team … Honors student.

Personal: The son of Dario DaCruz and Jennifer Hayes … Has one brother and one sister.

Purcell on DaCruz: A very unique player that has the strength, size, pace and field awareness to play anywhere in the back line and midfield. He can play with both feet, has excellent technical ability and high soccer IQ which allows him to read the game quicker than most college players. I predict that he'll be a force in his freshman year.