Men's Soccer Signs Four to 2007 Recruiting Class
2/28/2007 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Feb. 28, 2007
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. -
Wake Forest head coach Jay Vidovich has announced the signing of four players for the 2007 men's soccer season. The group is highlighted by Corben Bone, the consensus top recruit in the nation, and features two All-Americans and two regional pool players among the group. The Deacons, who lost midfielders Wells Thompson, Ryan Solle and Steven Curfman to the recent MLS SuperDraft, replace that group with the addition of three incoming midfielders and one defender.
"I am very excited about this class," head coach Jay Vidovich said. "We have done our homework on these four young men and they not only are excellent soccer players, but they are also very good students and people. They will do very well here at Wake Forest. My hope for this group is that they help continue the winning tradition that we are trying to build."
Corben Bone
Dallas, Texas -- Plano High School -- Midfielder
2006 National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Player of the Year... 2006 NSCAA High School All-American... member of United States U-16, U-17, U-18 and U-20 teams... only high school player and one of only six non-professionals to have played for the U.S. U-20 team... member of Region III ODP Team... member of Solar Soccer Club coached by Kevin Smith... Solar 89s have won the Texas State Cup six out of the seven years the team has been in existence... USYSA Region III Champions in 2005 and 2006... USYSA National Finalists in 2005 and 2006... considered by many as the nation's top recruit.
"Corben is a very special player," said Vidovich. "He has played at the very highest levels with national and regional teams and will bring another dimension to our attacking play. I have watched Corben play since he was 14, and I'm very excited to help him continue his development as a person and a player."
Russ Coleman
Norman, Okla. -- Norman North HS -- Midfielder
Named all-district and all-conference as a junior... served as team captain for coaches Don Rother and Bryan Young at Oklahoma 6A soccer power Norman North High School (53-3-2 the last three years)... member of the `89 Region III ODP team... named an NSCAA/Adidas All-American Scholar Athlete... captained his former Celtic `88 and current NOKC Padova `89 club to six total Oklahoma state championships... member of his school's National Honor Society.
"Russ came to camp last summer and showed right away that he could be a part of this program," said Vidovich. "He is a two-way midfielder with a good awareness of the game. He has had some great experiences with the regional team recently, and we are excited to see what he can do here at Wake."
Jeff Leach
New Canaan, Conn. -- New Canaan HS -- Midfielder
An ODP Region I player and U-18 national team member... earned four varsity letters at New Canaan High School... three-year starter (injured freshman year)... as a senior, named FCIAC All-East Team, All-FCIAC, all-state, state final MVP and Hartford Courant All-State (first team)... 2006 CJSA Male High School Player of the Year... as a junior, named FCIAC All-East Team, FCIAC Tournament Team MVP, Hartford Courant All-State Team (first team)... won state Class "L" championships as a junior and senior... named an NSCAA Youth All-American in 2005 and 2006... named a Top Drawer Soccer "Player to Watch"... Region I pool player in 2006-07... member of New Canaan's honor roll every quarter in high school... attended the same high school as head coach Jay Vidovich.
"Jeff is one of the most determined players I have seen at the youth level," said Vidovich. "He has a tremendous desire to get better and is constantly working to improve his game. These are the types of players we want here at Wake Forest. I'm very excited to have Jeff in our program."
Ike Opara
Durham, N.C. -- C.E. Jordan HS --Defender
Four-year letterman at C.E. Jordan High School... three time all-conference selection... All-Piedmont Athletic Conference (PAC 6) Player of the year as a junior... high school's most valuable player in 2005 and 2006... named his high school's defensive player of the year as a freshman... an all-region selection in 2005... helped C.E. Jordan High to four conference championships... played his club ball for Triangle FC Navy 88... member of the North Carolina ODP team in 2007... a three-time selection to the Super Y ODP... named an Elite 300 All-Star... high school teammate of current Deacon midfielder Will Clayton.
"Ike is an athletic specimen," said Vidovich. "He is a local North Carolina player that has a tremendous upside. He has battled some injuries in the last couple of years and is still playing catch-up from those, but if he is willing to work and put in the time to improve his fitness and technique, we will have a very good defender."
- WakeForestSports.com -
