University of Richmond Athletics
Men's Soccer Announces Incoming Class For 2008
May 23, 2008
UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND, Va. - Head coach Jeff Gettler announced the addition of seven student-athletes who will join the Richmond men's soccer team this fall.
Jed Antoun (Lewisville, Texas), Ben Brewster (New Hampton, N.H.), Robert Pavleszek (Westfield, N.J.), Grant Schonberg (Mendham, N.J.), Brock Tomlinson (Hoffman Estates, Ill.), John Twomey (Boxford, Mass.) and Tyler Williams (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) will enroll in school for the fall semester and be eligible to play for the Spiders in 2008.
"This is a class that should make its mark on the program immediately and establish a strong legacy throughout the tenure of these talented UR newcomers," Gettler said.
Antoun is a 5-foot-10, 165-pound midfielder from Prince of Peace Christian Academy in Lewisville, Texas. He was a four-year starter and letterman for coach Antonio Pecorari, earning First-Team All-State honors as a junior and senior. Antoun was a Second-Team All-State selection as a sophomore and earned Honorable Mention All-State as a freshman. The two-time team captain and four-time first-team all-district honoree was the district MVP as a junior. He led Prince of Peace Christian to three state championships as they suffered just three losses in his four-year career.
"Jed has great skill and vision with the ball, a very good playmaker and should challenge for a starting spot," Gettler said.
Brewster is a 6-foot-2, 180-pound forward from New Hampton School in New Hampton, N.H. The four-year starter for coach Manny Brito scored 22 goals and had 14 assists for 58 points in 16 games during his senior year to earn team MVP honors. He was selected to play in the New England Prep School Sports Association Senior All-Star Game, scoring both goals in a 2-0 victory for the East squad.
"Ben has great potential, he can score goals and play with his back to the goal," Gettler said. "He has good speed and is very skillful."
Pavleszek is a 6-foot-2, 180-pound midfielder/back from Westfield High in Westfield, N.J. He was a four-year under-19 starter in the New Jersey Premier League/Super Y League. He was a three-year captain for CWS Gunners Premier team, leading club to back-to-back New Jersey Premier Flight championships as the anchor of a defense that had the league's lowest goals against average for three consecutive years.
"Robert can play in the midfield or the back for us, he is very good on the ball," Gettler said. "He has good skills and he's quick."
Schonberg is a 6-foot-0, 175-pound goalkeeper from Mendham, N.J. He was a two-year starter and four-year letterman for coach Miller Bugliari at The Pingry School, earning First-Team All-State honors as The Pingry School was ranked as high as sixth in the nation during his senior year. He helped lead Pingry to four Somerset County titles, three conference championships and a state title in 2006. Schonberg allowed only five goals as a senior (0.26 GAA) on his way to being named the Somerset County Player of the Year as a senior. He was a two-time selection to the First-Team All-Non Public, First-Team All-Somerset County and First-Team All-Conference. Schonberg was a Second-Team All-State selection as a junior.
"Grant is very athletic and strong," Gettler said. "He can compete for the goalkeeper position as a freshman."
Tomlinson is a 5-foot-11, 185-pound goalkeeper from Hoffman Estates, Ill. who played only one year of soccer at Saint Viator High, but earned All-State Defensive Player of the Year honors after a school-record 0.61 goals against average and 13 shutouts. Tomlinson was named all-area, all-conference and all-sectional. He was the starting goalkeeper for the Chicago Magic Soccer Club from 2001-07, helping his team to six state titles, four national titles, two regional finals and one regional championship.
"Brock is quick, athletic and vocal," Gettler said. "He will look to fill the opening for a goalkeeper with the graduation of Eric Sciocchetti."
Twomey is a 6-foot-0, 175-pound back from Boxford, Mass. He played four years of varsity soccer, the first two for coach Leonard Emmons at Masconomet Regional High and the last two for coach Steve Carr at Phillips Academy. The three-year varsity starter was a New England Prep School Senior All-Star and helped his teams to two Cape Anne League titles and a Division II North final.
"John is a leader who is very vocal," Gettler said. "He is a solid defender who should compete for a starting position."
Williams is a 5-foot-11, 160-pound forward from Cape Girardeau, Mo. who was named the Missouri Player of the Year as a senior at Notre Dame Regional High. He led Notre Dame to back-to-back state titles as a junior and senior while earning First-Team All-State honors both years for coach Brad Wittenborn. Williams scored 25 goals and had eight assists for 58 points as a senior and had 20 goals and 19 assists for 59 points as a junior. He was an honorable mention all-conference selection as a sophomore.
"Ty is a good 1v1 player" Gettler said. "He can turn and really take players on. He has great quickness and speed."