Wake Forest Athletics
Wake Forest Men's Soccer Announces 2009 Recruiting Class
5/21/2009 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
May 21, 2009
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - Wake Forest men's soccer head coach Jay Vidovich announced that six student-athletes have been added to the 2009 men's soccer recruiting class.
The 2009 class includes Anthony Arena, Luciano Delbono, Gimel Gordon, Michael Lisch, Will Mayhew and Ben Newnam.
"I'm very excited with the six players we have signed in the 2009 class," Vidovich said. "Hopefully this group will be able to continue the winning tradition that has been established in our program. It will be important to see how quick they can adapt to the speed and the demands of Wake Forest soccer and playing in the ACC."
Anthony Arena - Defender/Midfielder - 5-11 - 165
Kenmore, Wash. (Inglemoor High School)
Won eight straight state championships with club team Crossfire from 2000-07 ... Served as team captain of Crossfire since 2005 ... Member of the United States U-18 and U-20 National Teams ... Played high school soccer for one season and was named 1st team all Kingco ... Twice named 1st team all Kingco as a kicker in football and was named all-state in 2007 ... Seattle Post-Intelligencer named Arena to all-star football team in 2008 ... Born on August 3, 1990 ... Son of Kristi and Chris Arena ... Dad played football for UNLV, while grandfather played football at Notre Dame.
Vidovich on Arena: "Anthony is a well-rounded player. He's got the physical attributes to be successful. He's got a great range of skills defensively. Anthony is very good in the air. He strikes a very good long ball and he's very strong on the tackle. He is going to be able to push for playing time early on. His all-around ability and preparedness to go on to the next level is a tribute to Bernie James, his coach at Crossfire. He has also had success with the U.S. U-20 National Team."
Luciano Delbono - Midfielder - 5-10 - 155
Winston-Salem, N.C. (R.J. Reynolds)
Lettered and started all four years on varsity soccer team at R.J. Reynolds High School ... Scored 36 goals during his four-year career and team compiled a 57-24-8 record ... Named conference player of the year and All-Forsyth County ... Member of the North Carolina State Olympic Development Program team ... ODP team won regionals and finished third in nationals ... Member of the National Junior Honor Society ... Born on July 29, 1991 ... Son of Osvaldo and Laura Delbono ... Sister, Victoria, currently plays on the Wake Forest women's soccer team, while sister, Eugenia, is a member of the North Carolina rowing team.
Vidovich on Delbono: "Luciano is a young man who has a lot of learning to do, but he has a tremendous natural feel for the game and technical flair. He has special qualities that remind me of a very raw Austin da Luz. He's played for Paul Forster of Twin City and they have worked to get him ready for this level."
Gimel Gordon - Midfielder/Forward - 5-8 - 158
Lawrenceville, Ga. (Grayson High School)
Served as team captain for Grayson High School and led the team in goals and assists ... Canadian National Champions with Erin Mills Soccer Club in 2005 ... Won the Disney Showcase in 2008 with GSA Phoenix RED '91 ... Born on April 2, 1991 ... Son of Winsome Gordon.
Vidovich on Gordon: "Gimel has tremendous athleticism and pace. I'm looking forward to working with a player that has his potential and the physical tools that he possesses."
Michael Lisch - Goalkeeper - 6-4 - 172
Austin, Texas (Westlake High School)
Earned three letters for Westlake High School soccer team ... Played for South Texas Olympic Development Program team in 2006 and 2007 ... Named 1st Team All Centex by Rise Magazine ... Earned District MVP honors in 2008 ... Named first team all-district academic team three years ... Member of Mu Alpha Theta and National Honor Society ... Born on August 30, 1990 ... Son of Randy and Stephanie Lisch ... Dad was a goalie on the hockey team at the University of Ohio.
Vidovich on Lisch: "Michael comes from a tremendous background with Lonestar Soccer Club and coach Sean Bubb and Bruce Talbot. We look for good things down the road with Mike. He was here this spring and it was a great opportunity for him to experience what it takes to be a Wake Forest soccer player."
Will Mayhew - Defender/Midfielder - 5-10 - 150
Concord, N.C. (Jay M. Robinson High School)
Member of the United States U-18 National Team Player Pool and attended U-18 National Team Development Camp in Carson, Calif., in December 2008 ... Played for the North Carolina '91 Olympic Development Program Summer Team from 2002-08 and was Region III ODP Champions in January 2008 ... Four-year varsity starter at Jay M. Robinson High School and helped team to MECA 7 Conference Championship in 2008 as a team captain ... Named MECA Conference Player, Region 8 and Piedmont Player of the Year ... Named to North Carolina Coaches All-State Team ... Set school record for scoring in a career and single season ... Also played basketball and football in high school ... Member of National Society for High School Scholars ... Born on July 2, 1991 ... Son of Bruce and Jan Mayhew.
Vidovich on Mayhew: "Will has athleticism and the intangibles to be successful. He has a great work rate and is very committed and dedicated to playing. He's a very versatile player."
Ben Newnam - Midfielder - 5-10 - 170
Kernersville, N.C. (East Forsyth High School)
Named North Carolina Gatorade Player of the Year in 2008-09 and was twice named an NSCAA/adidas High School All-American ... State Team Co-Captain for 2007 Region III ODP Champions ... Competed with Region III ODP Team in Argentina in April 2008 ... 2008 Jefferson Cup Champion and 2006 State Cup Finalist for '91 Twins under head coach Paul Forster ... Three-time NCSCA All-State and named All-Region and All-Conference four times ... Earned Conference and Region Player of the Year honors in 2007 and 2008 ... Two-year team captain for East Forsyth High School under the direction of head coach Chad Lorentz ... Named Most Valuable Player in 2008 ... Holds the school's single-season assist record with 26 assists ... Finished high school career with 56 goals and 62 assists ... Member of National Honor Society and National Latin Honor Society ... Born April 18, 1991 ... Son of Don and Tina Newnam.
Vidovich on Newnam: "We were fortunate to have Ben with us during the spring. I think it was a big wake up call for him. He has all the tools to be a successful player for us. He has the desire and commitment and is willing to pay the price to be successful so I expect big things out of him. He has been able to play under quality coaches, such as Paul Forster at Twin City and Chad Lorentz at East Forsyth."
