Bucknell -  Three And A Half Star Class Ranking - The Bison have added a talented and well balanced ten member class that includes several players with international backgrounds who should  bring a new dimension to the program.  Midfielder CK Kumah from Ghana and defender Jermaine Jarrett from Kingston, Jamaica who played at the Hotchkiss School in Connecticut are among the new recruits with the potential to make an immediate impact.  Bucknell head coach Brendan Nash stated, “After a season in which we were disappointed to miss out on the postseason, our goal was to bring in a recruiting class with the potential to make an immediate impact.”  He added, “There is an incredible amount of potential in this recruiting class.  We just have to see who is wiling to make the investment to help get us back into the Patriot League championship picture.”    Bucknell was 8-8-3 in 2008 with a 3-4-0 mark in Patriot League play.  The 2008 season was only the second time in the past six years that the Bison did not earn a spot in the four team Patriot League Tourney.  Six starters return from the 2008 squad including midfielder Conor O’Brien (7g, 8a) who was the Patriot League Offensive Player of the Year and defender Patrick Selwood who was a Second Team All-Patriot League selection.  Forward Chris Hennings (7g, 4a) is among returning players who should add offensive firepower to the Bucknell attack.  Midfielders Sean King (0g, 1a) and Luke Joyner (2g, 4a), defenders Ross Liberati (1g, 1a) and Tommy McCabe (2g, 0a) and goalkeepers Will Byrne and Tommy Caso are among a solid core of returning players who Nash will likely count on in 2009.   Nash’s ability to effectively merge the newcomers in with his returning players will have a big impact on whether or not the Bison return to the Patriot League Tourney field in 2009.

 

Brendan Burgdorf - Westfield, New Jersey - Forward - The Pingry School - First Team All-State - NSCAA Regional All-American - Played for the Match Fit Chelsea U-18 Academy Team.

 

Vincent Cinotti - Sparta, New Jersey - Defender - Sparta High School - Third Team All-State selection - Played club soccer for Parsippany United - Solid work ethic is a huge plus. 

 

Collin Costello - Bethlehem, Pennsylvania - Defender - Freedom High School - First Team All-Area selection - Played club for Reading Rage - Soccer savvy and very athletic central defender.

 

Ryan Foreman - Wilmette, Illinois - Midfielder - New Trier High School - Chicago Sun All-Area team - Played club for the Chicago Fire U-18 Academy Team - Member Illinois ODP team. 

 

Ariel Hughes - Brandon, Florida - Midfielder - St. Stephen’s Episcopal School - Member of Panama’s U-20 National Team Pool - Multi-year member of the Florida ODP team. 

 

Jermaine Jarrett - Kingston, Jamaica - Defender - The Hotchkiss School - Captain of Jamaican U-15 and U-18 National Teams - All-State and All-New England selection - Tremendous potential.

 

CK Kumah - Ghana - Midfielder - The Hotchkiss School - All-State selection in 2008 and 2007 - All New England honoree - Played club soccer with Rye Rovers - An impact player.

 

Charlie Pirc - Airmont, New York - Midfielder - Suffern High School - Named Rockland County Player of the Year - New York and Region I ODP team member - Played with FC Westchester.

 

Josh Plump - Millburn, New Jersey - Forward - Millburn High School - NSCAA High School Regional All-American - Star Ledger New Jersey Player of the Year - First Team All-State. 

 

Philip Parsons - Hamilton, Bermuda - Midfielder - Saltus Grammar School - Member of the Bermuda U-20 National Team -  Hard working an d skilled linkman.  Tough and quick.