Georgetown – Four And A Half Star Recruiting Class – “We Are Georgetown” is generally associated with the success and swagger of the Hoyas basketball program. Last year there were plenty of opportunities for those who followed the men’s soccer program to also proudly proclaim “We Are Georgetown.”
It is a cliché but the Hoyas had what can best be described as an historic season last year in which they were 19-4-3 overall, were awarded the number three seed in the NCAA Tourney, and advanced to the national championship match. Let’s put that in perspective by pointing out that the Georgetown program which dates back to 1952 had previously only made a total of three trips to the NCAA Tourney (1994, 1997, 2010) and they had never advanced past the second round.
The success that the Georgetown program enjoyed in 2012 did not come easy nor did it occur overnight. The Hoyas have been a work in progress since Brian Wiese became the head coach in 2006. Credit Wiese with not losing his focus while going through the process of assembling all the pieces of the player puzzle and developing the culture that was required for the program to advance to a higher level. Now the task becomes the daunting one of keeping the momentum going.
Wiese will enter the 2013 season without the services of a very productive senior class that included All-American midfielder Ian Christianson (2g, 2a), midfielder Andy Reimer (9g, 2a), midfielder John Snyder, and veteran defenders Jimmy Nealis (0g, 6a) and Tommy Muller (1g, 1a). However with seven starters returning supplemented by what looks to be a very good recruiting class there are plenty of reasons to feel good about Georgetown’s chances in 2013.
Two reasons for optimism are the return of senior All-American forward Steve Neumann (10g, 13a) who has been a force since arriving on campus in 2010 and sophomore forward Brandon Allen (16g, 2a) who was the 2012 Big East Rookie of the Year. Neumann, who likely would have been a first round pick had he elected to enter the professional ranks, is a prime timer who makes good things happen. Allen, who played last year with the guts and gusto normally only found in an upperclassman, adds an additional dimension to the Hoyas attack. Neumann and Allen compliment each other and give the Blue and Gray a very dynamic and explosive forward duo. Senior Gabe Padilla (0g, 1a), junior Austin Martz (0g, 1a) and sophomore Melvin Snoh (1g, 2a) are among other returning players who Wiese can utilize up-top.
The midfield will require some rebuilding due to the loss of Christianson, Reimer and Snyder. Senior Joey Dillon (0g, 1a), juniors Tyler Rudy (0g, 4a) and Tom Skelly (1g, 0a) are among returning midfielders who Wiese will likely count on to play key roles in 2013. Junior Jared Rist and sophomore Josh Turnley who saw action in six contests last year are among other returning midfielders who will be in the hunt for additional playing time.
Sophomores Keegan Rosenberry (0g, 3a) and Cole Seller return in the back with the advantage of a year of starting experience under their belts. Seniors Ted Helfrich and Nick Van Hollen are among other returning defenders who look to be in the mix in 2013.
Junior Tomas Gomez , a Second Team All-Big East selection, returns in goal after posting a 0.89 goals against average last year in route to recording seven shutouts. Senior Keon Parsa, who saw action in seven contests last year with a 0.98 goals against average and three shutouts, also returns between the pipes.
Wiese will welcome a seven member 2013 recruiting class to the Hilltop that includes four players ranked by College Soccer News as among the top 150 players in the class of 2013. The newcomers should push for playing time and the resulting competition should benefit the team. The class features forward Brett Campbell who was the 2011 and 2012 Pennsylvania Gatorade Player of the Year and Alex Muyl who was a 2012 NSCAA Youth All-American. Newcomer Josh Yaro who played for the Santa Barbara Soccer Club appears to have the athletic ability and soccer savvy needed to immediately compete for playing time in the back.
The Hoyas will enter the 2013 season seeking to replicate the success the 2012 team achieved. Doing so is not going to be easy but once a program has advanced to the Final Four as Georgetown did for the first time last year a return trip becomes a real rather than stretch goal. All things considered, Georgetown will enter the 2013 season as a team with a reasonable shot at making the step upward from national runner-up to national champion. However, you can bet the hilltop that Wiese will remind his team from day one that the best way to accomplish that is to take it one game at a time.
Jonathan Azzinnari – Midfielder – Nutley, New Jersey – Seton Hall Prep – Played with the Player Development Academy. All-State selection. Rated by CSN as the #145 player in the class of 2013.
Brett Campbell – Forward – Wallingford, Pennsylvania – Haverford School – Played with FC Delco. Rated as #32 player in the class of 2013 by CSN. Pennsylvania Gatorade Player of the Year.
Bakie Goodman – Midfielder – Sarasota, Florida – Pine View School for the Gifted – Played club for the Clearwater Chargers. U.S. U-15 National Team. Florida ODP team.
PJ Koscher – Defender – Bel Air, Maryland – Archbishop Curley High School – Played for the Baltimore Bays Chelsea Academy for five years. 2011 All-MIAA selection. Very athletic defender.
Alex Muyl – Forward – New York, New York – Bard High school Early College – Played with the New York Red Bulls Academy. NSCAA Youth All-American. Rated #43 player in class of 2013 by CSN.
Jared Odenbeck – Defender – Charlotte, North Carolina – Charlotte Christian School – Played club with the Charlotte Soccer Academy. All-State. NSCAA All-American as a junior. First Team All-Southeast.
Josh Yaro – Defender – Santa Barbara, California – Cate School – Ranked by CSN as the #45 rated player in the class of 2013. Played for Santa Barbara Soccer Club. Right to Dream Academy.