Posted: Feb 15, 2011

Men's soccer signs five recruits to NLIs

SMITHFIELD, R.I. - Bryant University head men's soccer coach Seamus Purcell is pleased to announce the signing of five student-athletes to National Letters of Intent to enroll at the University and join the roster in the fall of 2011. Bryant's latest recruiting class includes forward Ryan Kalan (East Norwich, N.Y.), midfielders Kyle Jester (San Diego, Calif.) and Connor Norat (Wilmington, Del.), and defenders Shane Murphy (Kennett Square, Pa.) and Seth Wing (Gorham, Maine).

"I'm very excited about this upcoming class as we enter our final transitional year to DI membership," said head coach Seamus Purcell. "It's a well-rounded group that has the potential to be our best recruiting class in years as every player embodies the character and talent expected to represent a rising Division I program."

Bryant is set to begin its fourth and final season of the four-year mandatory transitional period to full Division I membership.

Kyle Jester Midfield/Defender, 5-9, 165 San Diego, Calif. / Scripps Ranch High School
High School: Played three seasons at the Bishop's School before transferring to Scripps Ranch as a senior… Helped Bishop's School to three consecutive Coastal League championships from 2008-10… Won CIF championship in 2010… Named first team All-Coastal League as a sophomore and junior… Named to second team Division IV… Also lettered in football and lacrosse.

Personal: Born May 5, 1993… Son of Karen Sypolt Jester and Paul jester… Also recruited by San Diego and Bowdoin.

Head Coach Seamus Purcell: "Kyle is a very tough, hardworking midfielder/defender. He is technically sound, reads the game very well, and has great pace on and off the ball. Kyle's quality and versatility will be a great asset for the Bulldogs."

Ryan Kalan Forward, 6-2, 165 East Norwich, N.Y. / St. Dominic High School
High School: Three-year letterwinner at St. Dominic High School… Helped the Bayhawks to back-to-back Nassau-Suffolk Catholic High School Athletic Association semi-final appearances in 2009 and 2010… Three-time team MVP… Two-time NSCHSAA all-league selection… Also lettered in basketball… National Honors Society member.

Personal: Born January 18, 1993… Son of Karen and Neil Kalan… Also recruited by Siena, Drew and American.

Head Coach Seamus Purcell: "Ryan is a very dangerous center striker with speed and size that will cause opposing defenses tons of problems. His ability to get behind the defense, combined with his speed in the open field, will make him a great scoring threat for the Bulldogs."

Shane Murphy Midfield/Defender, 5-10, 150 Kennett Squ--are, Pa. / Unionville High School
High School: Three-year varsity player at Unionville High School… Helped the Indians reach the state semi-finals and capture back-to-back Ches-Mont league titles from 2009-10… Named all-league in 2010… Honor roll.

Personal: Born on July 1, 1993… Son of Kathleen and Dennis Murphy… Has one sister, Jillian… Uncles Ken and Ed Murphy played soccer at UConn and father Dennis Murphy played at Southern Connecticut… Also recruited by Duquesne, Lafayette, Loyola, Connecticut College, Bridgeport and Southern New Hampshire.

Head Coach Seamus Purcell: "Shane is a very athletic midfielder/defender with tons of potential. He has great skill on the ball and a work-ethic to match. Shane can get into the attack and cause problems for the opposing defense as well as unleash a very strong long throw in the attacking third."

Connor Norat Midfield, 5-11, 160 Wilmington, Del. / Salesianum School
High School: Four-year starter at midfield for the Salesianum School under Coach Scott Mosier… Helped team capture Delaware State Championship in 2009, 2008 and 2010… Second-team all-conference as a sophomore… Third-team all-conference as a freshman and junior… First-team all-state as a senior… Also participated in lacrosse and indoor track… National Honors Society… Presidential excellence in academics.

Personal: Born on September, 6, 1992… Son of Marcia and Paul Norat.

Head Coach Seamus Purcell: "Connor is a hardworking midfielder with the skills to control the center of the park. His strong work ethic, combined with his skill on the ball and ball winning capabilities, will make him a great addition to the Bulldog midfield."

Seth Wing Defender, 6-0, 165 Gorham, Maine / Gorham High School
Three-year letterwinner at Gorham High School for Coach Tim King… Helped Rams become Western final runner-up in 2007 and 2010… Named honorable mention and team defensive player of the year as a sophomore… Second-team all-conference as a junior… First-team all-conference, Southern Maine Athletic Association Defensive MVP and team MVP as a senior… Also played baseball… National Honors Society… Honor roll all four years.

Personal: Born on August 7, 1992… Son of Judy and Michael Wing.

Head Coach Seamus Purcell: "Seth is an intelligent center back that reads the game very well. He is a tough defender and very good in the air. Seth has the ability to control the back line with his leadership and decision making skills."