Men's soccer announces Class of 2016

BRYANT MEN'S SOCCER ADDS NINE TO 2012 ROSTER

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – The Bryant University men's soccer will welcome nine new players to its ranks for the 2012 season, as announced by head coach Seamus Purcell.

The incoming Class of 2016 will feature a pair of players with familial ties to the current group of Bulldogs, as current players Lucas Guerriero (Pickering, Ont.) and George Spanos (Garden City, N.Y.) will have the chance to compete alongside of their brothers next season.

The pack of players originates from various regions of the country and includes two Canadians in the bunch. The New England region is well represented, with one player each from the states of Connecticut, Maine, Rhode Island and Massachusetts. The tri-state area adds a pair of players into the fold with one each from New Jersey and New York. Finally, the Bulldogs will see representation from Colorado and the Canadian province of Ontario.

The class – comprised of four defenders, with two goalkeepers and a trio of attackers – will hope to add an immediate impact to a Bryant team that finished 2-13-1 in 2011. Fueling that determination to improve will be the fact that the Bulldogs will be eligible for postseason play for the first time in four years in the fall of 2012.

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Marco Addonizio | M/F | 5-11 | | 165 | Salem, Mass. | Lynnfield

Four-year varsity letter winner and starter at midfield/forward … Team advanced to the MIAA Division 3 playoffs twice, including a berth in the sectional finals … Two-time Cape Ann League Small School champion … Named All-State and All-New England player as a senior … Honored as the Boston Globe All-Scholastic Player of the Year in 2011 … Also named the Cape Ann League Player of the Year that season … Ripped off an astounding 24 goals and 22 assists (70 points) as a senior … Member of the USSDA FC Greater Boston Bolts U-18 Team.

Purcell on Addonizio: "Marco is a very versatile attacking player with a nose for the goal. He has great feet and the ability to combine and finish in the final third. Marco's quality on-the-ball and distribution skill will give him an opportunity to make an impact early in his career as a Bulldog."

Matt Guerriero | F | 5-8 | 145 | Pickering, Ont. | St. Mary Catholic Secondary

Brother of current men's soccer member Lucas Guerriero … Played striker for Sigma FC, an elite training academy in Toronto, for past five years … Helped team win Ontario Soccer League Provincial Division Cup Championship in 2011 … Also a starter on St. Mary's Catholic Secondary boys' soccer team … Was the team's leading scorer in his final two seasons … Led team to Tiger Bowl championship and LOSSA Championship … Also earned championships with Soccer Academy Alliance of Canada Seniors team and Adidas Potomac in 2010.

Purcell on Guerriero: "Matt has a great combination of skill and quickness making him a very dangerous striker. He has a very strong technical and finishing ability. Look for Matt to have an immediate impact on the Bulldogs' attack."

Ben Kates | D/M | 5-8 | 140 | Boulder, Colo. | Boulder

Spent two seasons with Boulder H.S. boys' soccer team … Helped team advance to State Cup Semifinals … Named to All-Region and All-Front Range League teams … Academic Athletic Letter and Academic All-State Honorable Mention … Played one season each with WCDA Storm Under-18 club team and Colorado Rapids club team … Participated in Colorado Showcase Tournament and Western College Development Academy Showcase Tournament this past fall.

Purcell on Kates:  "Ben is very quick and can serve a great ball with both feet. He is a tough 1-on-1 defender and is a great at getting into the attack of the back. Ben is a hardworking outside back/mid that has the skill to be an asset on both sides of the ball."

Feature on Kates from Boulder Daily Camera

Chris Knaub | GK | 6-2 | 185 | Yarmouth, Maine | Yarmouth

Three-year starter at Yarmouth … Went undefeated during junior season en route to a 17-0-1 campaign and a Class B State Championship … Earned All-State honors and was named First-Team All-Western Maine Class B Conference … Honored as the Defensive Player of the Year as a senior … Also earned varsity letters in basketball, tennis, and track and field … Earned Honors and High Honors Recognition.

Purcell on Knaub: "Chris is a big athletic goalkeeper. He has great ability to command his area and control high balls into the box. Chris reads the game well and has a very good shot stopping skills."

Jake Lamar | D | 6-2 | 200 | New Haven, Conn. | Cheshire Academy

Four-time varsity letterwinner at Cheshire Academy … Two-time WNEPSSA Class 'B' All-Star … Named to All-State team twice … Participated in WNEPSSA All-Star Game … Twice named the Most Valuable Player of Cheshire Academy boys' soccer team … Recipient of the Trustees Award after 2011 season … Finished career with 23 goals and 28 assists (74 points), including 14 markers and 10 helpers as a senior.

Purcell on Lamar: "Jake has great size and athleticism. Along with his strong left foot, he brings quality and leadership to the defense. Jake is an aggressive player and can control a game with his physical presence."

Brett Larocque | F | 5-7 | 155 | Ottawa, Ont. | Ecole Jean Vanier

Three-year starter at Jean Vanier High School ... Finished a decorated career in style, being named an All-Ontario Silver Medalist "A" High School Soccer Player ... Named High School Athlete of the Year at Jean Vanier ... Named the Most Valuable Player at the West Niagara Soccer Tournament as a junior ... Received similar honors at the Grape and Wine Soccer Tournament ... Attended an international camp in Italy after excelling as a member of the AS Roma Camp in Hamilton, Ont., as a sophomore ... Also plays for  Bryst Football Academy (BFA) Under 21 Men's team ... Was one of the OSL Under 21 Regional League's top scorers last year as a 17 year old ... Has been playing with the BFA for the last three years ... Also was a member of the boys hockey, tennis, badminton and track and field teams.

Purcell on Larocque: "Brett is an extremely hard-working player that possesses great speed and attacking ability in either an offensive wing position or as a striker. He approaches the game with an old fashioned work ethic and is constantly hustling. Brett is a strong and relentless attacking player that possesses great finishing ability. Look for Brett to have an immediate impact on the Bulldogs attack in 2012."

Teddy Spanos | D/M | 6-4 | 190 | Garden City, N.Y. | Garden City

Brother of current men's soccer member George Spanos … Four-year starter for Garden City boys' soccer team … Helped squad advance to sectional quarterfinals as a senior and a freshman … Team enjoyed immense success during his sophomore season, advancing to sectional final while clinching a Conference 4A Championship … Featured in ESPN Rise Class of 2012's Top 30 Recruits article … Named All-Long Island Exceptional Senior All-Star … Team captain during senior season … Member of USSDA Met. Oval Academy, Albertson Academy and Brooklyn Knights Super Y League Club Teams … Received several tryout invites for European club teams.

Purcell on Spanos: "Ted is a big, strong, athletic player with lots of ability. He reads the game very well and can cover tons of space with his speed and size. Ted has the potential to dominate right away on the defensive side of the ball as well as be a great threat in the attack on set pieces."

Kevin Tejada | D | 5-10 | 180 | Clifton, N.J. | Bergen Catholic

Four-year starter at Bergen Catholic … Team earned an appearance in the Bergen County Tournament championship game during senior season … Also a participant on the track and field team.

Purcell on Tejada: "Kevin is a very athletic, fast, and hardworking player. He is very versatile and will compete right away to play a variety of positions. Kevin has natural leadership qualities and will make an immediate impact in 2012."

Kevin Zemaitis l GK l 6-4 l 185 l Braintree, Mass. l Boston College HS

Three-year varsity letter winner and two-year starting goalie at Boston College High School ... Helped team to Catholic Conference title in 2009 ... Led team to conference quarterfinals in 2010 and the South Sectional Championship as a senior in 2011 ... Two-time Catholic Conference All-Star ... EMass All-Star pick ... Posted 12 shutouts as a junior with a goals against average of 0.45 ... Two-time all-scholastic selection ... Also a two-year varsity letter winner in volleyball ... Member of the Student Council.