University of Richmond Athletics
Men's Soccer Announces Addition Of 10 Student-Athletes
May 11, 2010
UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND, Va. - Second-year Richmond men's soccer coach Clint Peay announced the addition of 10 student-athletes who will join the Spider for the 2010 season this fall.
The Spiders welcome Paz Breezatl (Tredyffrin Township, Pa.), Zac Brown (St. Paul, Minn.), Michael Forsyth (Cary, N.C.), Brandon Hauser (Richmond, Va.), Chris Hoerner (Middleburg, Va.), Justin Karr (Chappaqua, N.Y.), Jonathan Overton (Christiansburg, Va.), Spencer Schiff (Clemson, S.C.), Carl Weber (Richmond, Va.) and Alex Williams (Surrey, England).
"I'm very excited about our class for next year, this will be my first complete recruiting class since becoming the head coach here at UR," Peay said. "The group has talent, character, personality, and a winning mentality. They will add depth to our roster and address areas where we needed improvement. All of our players come from outstanding club backgrounds, and we believe they will have an immediate impact on our program. Overall, we think it is a first class group that embodies the passion, commitment, skill, and athleticism that is crucial to becoming a successful program."
Breezatl is a 5-foot-7 midfielder/forward from Tredyffrin Township, Pa. who was a four-year letterwinner at Conestoga High for coach David Zimmerman, leading the team in assists as a senior. He helped lead his club team, LMSC Velez, to a third-place finish at the USYSA National Championships and the USUSA National League title. LMSC Velez was a Region 1 Premier League finalist, EPYSA state finalist and ranked as a high as No. 4 in the nation.
"Paz is an example of a player that impressed us at our Senior Advanced soccer camp," Peay said. "Paz really enjoys soccer, evident by the growth he has shown over the last year playing with one of the best club teams in the country. Paz has the ability to make a significant impact in our program."
Brown is a 6-foot-2 goalkeeper from St. Paul, Minn. who was a three-year letterwinner and two-year starter for coach Franklin Tawah at St. Paul Academy. The two-time First-Team Tri-Metro All-Conference selection helped lead St. Paul to the Tri-Metro Conference Championship in 2009 with a 9-1 league record. He played club soccer for the Minnesota Thunder Academy from 2008-10, helping the Thunder to the US Club Soccer Regional Semifinals. He earned a bronze medal playing for the U.S. Junior Team at the 11th Pan American Maccabi Games in Buenos Aires, Argentina in 2007.
"Zac provides us quality depth at our goalkeeper position," Peay said. "Zac communicates well, has great positional awareness, and is an excellent shot stopper. We look forward to watching Zac grow as a keeper here at Richmond."
Forsyth is a 6-foot-0 midfielder/back from Cary, N.C. who was a three-year starter for coach Kevin Todd at Apex High, where he was a three-time first-team all-conference selection and named First-Team 4-A All-State as a senior. He played club soccer for CASL Academy, helping the team to six NCYSA State Championships, two USYSA Regional finals and one USYSA Regional title.
"Michael is a wonderful young man, with a tremendous work ethic," Peay said. "He is versatile, athletic, and demonstrates great field awareness. He has been a key player on one of the best club teams in the country."
Hauser is a 5-foot-11 back from Richmond, Va. who is in his third year as a letterwinner at Deep Run High, having played for coaches Steve Chapman, Martin Brooks, Frank Ford. He was named to the All-Colonial District Team as a sophomore and junior and was named Second-Team Central Virginia All-Region as a junior. Hauser helped lead Deep Run to the 2008 AAA Virginia High School State Championship, along with the Colonial District title and a runner-up finish in the Central Virginia Regional. Deep Run was Colonial District runner-up in 2009 and is currently undefeated in Colonial District play in 2010. Hauser plays club soccer for the the Richmond Strikers Academy and was selected for a National U18 training session in Greensboro, N.C.
"Brandon is a very athletic defender that is strong in the air, reads the game well, and is very good at distributing the ball out of the back," Peay said. "We believe Brandon will be a terrific asset to our program."
Hoerner is a 5-foot-11 midfielder/forward from Middleburg, Va. who is in his fifth year as a starter at Highland School for coach Robert Franz. The 2008 VISSA Division II State Player of the Year was a First-Team All-State honoree in 2008. He was a two-time First-Team All-Delaney Athletic Conference selection and 2008 Delaney Conference Player of the Year. The two-time team MVP, set Highland's school record for single-season goals with 34 in 2008 and was a Second-Team Delaney Athletic Conference pick in 2006. He led Highland to three Delaney Conference titles, the 2008 VISSA Division II State Championship and the 2005 Division II state finals. Hoerner plays his club soccer for McLean Academy and as the team captain helped his team to a No. 1 ranking in Virginia and No. 24 national ranking in 2009.
"Chris will be a terrific addition to our team next year," Peay said. "He is a very versatile attacking player with the vision and technical ability to be dangerous around the box. Mentally, he is very tough, and he has great leadership qualities."
 Jon Overton was named a Wendy's High School All-American.  |
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Karr is a 6-foot-0 back from Chappaqua, N.Y. who was a three-year varsity starter at Horace Greeley High for coach Bob Oddo. He was named NSCAA All-Region and tabbed as ESPN Rise State-By-State Top Player for New York, along with an honorable mention All-American. Karr was a NY State Conference 2 All-Central League selection, an NY State Section 2 AA All-Section pick and named All-State as a senior. Greeley won the 2009 Conference 3 Central League Championship and were Section One AA Finalists. In Karr's junior year, Greeley reached the Second One AA Semifinals and as a sophomore in 2007 they won the Conference 3 Central League an Section One AA titles. He was named honorable mention NY State Conference 2 Central League as a junior. He played three years of club soccer for FC Westchester in the US Soccer Development Academy league. In 2008, FC Westchester qualified for the national playoffs.
"Justin has a big personality and impeccable character," Peay said. "Another summer camp prospect that impressed us on and off the field. He is naturally left-footed, fast, technical, and versatile. Justin will be a great addition to our left side."
Overton is a 5-foot-10 defender/midfielder from Christiansburg, Va. who was a four-year starter at Christiansburg High for coach Pete Johnson. The team MVP and captain was named First-Team River Ridge All-District, Region 4 All-Region and Roanoke Times All-Timesland. He was in Top Drawer's Top 100 and was named a Wendy's High School All-American. Overton played club soccer for Roanoke Star Elite for five years, reach the finals of the Virginia State Cup twice and the semifinals once. Roanoke won two VCCL titles, won the US Club Soccer National Cup in 2006, were US Club Soccer National Cup Region C Champions in 2006 and Region C finalists in 2004.
"Jon will be a great addition to our team next year," Peay said. "He is a powerful player with good technical ability to open teams up with accurate passing. Jon has always been passionate about becoming a Spider and we are thrilled he will be a part of our program."
 Spencer Schiff was a three-time all-region selection at D.W. Daniel High in Clemson, S.C. |
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Schiff is a 5-foot-11 is a midfielder from Clemson, S.C. who was a four-year starter for coach Serji Armakanian at D.W. Daniel High. The three-time all-region selection and two-year team captain was named All-State and Mountain Lakes Player of the Year. He helped lead D.W. Daniel High to three region titles and played club soccer for CESA, helping the team to four South Carolina State Cup Championships.
"Spencer is probably our most creative player in this class," Peay said. "He has superb field awareness, technique, and a knack for scoring goals."
Weber is a 5-foot-10 midfielder/striker from Richmond, Va. who is in his fourth-year as a starter at Deep Run High for coach Frank Ford. He was named all-district in 2008 and 2009, helping lead Deep Run to the AAA Virginia State Championship in 2008 with a 22-2-1 record. Deep Run was the Colonial District Champion in 2008, reaching No. 11 in the nation in the NSCAA Poll and was runner-up in 2009. Weber played club soccer for the Richmond Strikers Academy for three years, reaching the regional playoffs in 2009 and winning the VSLI State Championship in 2007.
"Carl is a tenacious competitor," Peay said. "He is a clever dribbler that has the ability to create goals out of very little. We look forward to Carl contributing to our attack next year."
Williams is a 6-foot-4 goalkeeper from Surrey, England who played for coach Carlos Mills at Hampton School and also attended Newland House School. Williams had eight shutouts this past season, helping his team to the Independent Schools Football Association (ISFA) Cup Final in 2009 and the ISFA London Trinity Cup title in 2010. He helped his squad to the Surrey Cup Finals in 2010 and 2006 and was Surrey Elite for three years. His team played in the Gothia Youth World Cup in 2005, 2006 and 2007 and made a tour of Brazil in 2009. Williams played club soccer for Hampton and Richmond Borough FC, making four of five penalty saves in the 2009-10 season.
"Alex is a terrific addition to our class for next year," Peay said. "He will add much needed depth to our keeper position. Alex has great range off his line so he controls his box very well. Alex possesses a tremendous upside so we are very excited about his future at Richmond."