Wake Forest Athletics
Demon Deacons Announce 2014 Signing Class
2/20/2014 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Feb. 20, 2014
By Alex Botoman, Wake Forest Athletic Communications (@WakeMSoccer)
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - Wake Forest head men's soccer coach Jay Vidovich announced his 2014 recruiting class, which includes three players with youth national team experience and six who have played for MLS academy and reserve teams.
Committing to Wake Forest were Steven Echevarria, Hank Gauger, Duncan McCormick, Kevin Politz, Kris Reaves, Chase Rhode and John Schuman. They join January enrollees Heath Honold and Dominic Scotti and Georgetown transfer Jared Odenbeck to make up Wake Forest's 2014 class.
"We are very excited to welcome the 2014 class to Wake Forest," said Vidovich. "This class is an extremely talented and ambitious group that will be able to come in and contribute immediately. They continue to grow and develop as people and players, they are a perfect fit for our program and we look forward to adding them in this fall."
Echevarria, Politz and Reaves have all been a part of the U.S. youth national team system and are all ranked among the Top 50 players in their class by Top Drawer Soccer. Echevarria, a midfielder, and Politz, a defender, played for the U.S. Under-17 National Team while Reaves, a defender, played for the U-18 team.
Bringing MLS academy experience with them to Wake Forest are Echevarria (New York Red Bulls), Honold (Sporting Kansas City), McCormick (Seattle Sounders), Politz (New York Red Bulls), Reaves (FC Dallas) and Schuman (Columbus Crew).
The group of 10 players is balanced positionally with four defenders, four midfielders and two forwards.
Steven Echevarria - Midfielder - 5-8 - 145 - Slate Hill, N.Y. - Don Bosco Prep
Background:
A four-star recruit by Top Drawer Soccer ... Ranked as the 42nd-best player in his class and the 14th-best midfielder ... Was a member of the United States Under-17 Residency Program ... Plays for the New York Red Bulls Academy and has played with the New York Red Bulls Reserves ... Has twice won the US Soccer Academy Championship with New York
Vidovich on Echevarria: Steven is a gifted passer of the ball and reads the game very well. He has contributed to both the U-17 national team and to the New York Red Bulls who won the Academy league. He will use his experiences to contribute immediately in the midfield."
Hank Gauger - Forward - Morrisville, N.C. - Cardinal Gibbons High School
Background:
A four-star recruit by Top Drawer Soccer ... Was rated as the top forward from North Carolina in his class and the third-best player overall from the state ... Scored 15 goals in 19 games for CASL's Carolina RailHawks Academy Team in 2012-13, leading all players in the U.S. Soccer Academy System ... Named to the 2011 and 2012 North Carolina ODP teams and the 2011 ODL Regional Team
Vidovich on Gauger: "Hank is an explosive forward or winger. He has a natural goal scoring ability and constantly creates opportunities for himself and other. Hank's pace and knack for scoring will allow him to compete for playing time immediately."
Duncan McCormick - Midfielder - 5-11 - 160 lbs. - Seattle, Wash. - Seattle Academy
Background:
A four-start recruit by Top Drawer Soccer, ranked as the 130th-best player in his class ... Plays for the Seattle Sounders Academy and is captain of his academy team ... Selected to the Washington State ODP team ... Has played in nine matches with the Seattle Sounders reserves ... Trained for one year with Valencia FC in Spain.
Personal:
Born Nov. 1, 1995 in Seattle, Wash. ... Son of Jill and Richard McCormick ... Father Richard played college soccer at Warner Pacific and professionally for the Tacoma Stars (1990), Seattle Sounders (1993) and Wichita Wings (1998).
Vidovich on McCormick:
"Duncan is a very tough-minded, passionate center midfielder who is a leader and a winner. He reads the game at a high level, and coming from a great program with the Seattle Sounders, he will look to break into a talented midfield."
Kevin Politz - Defender - 5-9 - 140 lbs. - Morganville, N.J. - Marlboro HS
Background:
Member of the United States Under-17 National Team ... Ranked as the 24th best player in his class and the fourth-best defender by Top Drawer Soccer ... Named to the 2013 NSCAA Youth Boys All-America Team ... Played at the New York Red Bulls Academy under coach Paul O'Donnell ... With the Red Bulls, won the U.S. Soccer Academy National Championships in 2012 and 2013 ... Has played in six matches with the New York Red Bulls reserve team ... Named to the U.S. Soccer Academy Eastern Conference Starting XI in 2012 ... While a member of the United States Under-17 Residency Program from 2001-12, played in tournaments in Spain, France and Costa Rica.
Personal:
Born March 22, 1996 in New Haven, Conn. ... Son of Mary and Ken Politz ... Ranked third in his high school class of 476 students
Vidovich on Politz:
"Kevin is an extremely smart and technically gifted center back. He reads the game extremely well and will add into our style of playing out of the back. Kevin has led the best defense in the USSDA Academy the past two years and has been with the U-17 National Team a number of times. Kevin's competitiveness and experiences will help make an easy transition into our program."
Kris Reaves - Defender - 5-11 - 150 lbs. - Duluth, Ga. - Lone Star HS (Frisco, Texas)
Background:
Member of the United States Under-18 National Team ... Ranked as the 45th-best player in his class by Top Drawer Soccer and the ninth-best defender ... Plays for the FC Dallas Youth Academy and has played with the FC Dallas reserves ... Has trained in England (West Ham, Chelsea, Manchester United, Liverpool), Italy (Empoli) and Brazil (Flamengo, Botafogo) ... Traveled with the U-18 National Team to France and Romania in 2013 ... Played high school soccer at Lambert High School in Georgia in 2011 and 2012, helping the team to the 2012 AAAA State Championship ... Named to the 2012 All-Gwinnett County Team.
Personal:
Born Nov. 10, 1995 in Atlanta, Ga. ... Son of Kenneth and Charmaine Reaves
Vidovich on Reaves:
"Kris is an excellent defender and fantastic athlete. His engine and ability to push into the attack make him an ideal fit to play outside back at Spry in 2014. The development Kris has gone through at FC Dallas and his many experiences with the U-18 National Team are proof that he is poised to have an immediate impact."
Chase Rhode - Defender - Cary, N.C. - Cardinal Gibbons High School
Background:
Played for coach Tim Healy at Cardinal Gibbons High School and Henry Gutierrez for his club team NC Alliance ... Captain of both his club and high school teams ... Named to the All-State team as a senior in 2013 and the All-Region and All-Conference teams in 2012 and 2013 ... Helped Cardinal Gibbons to the 2011 3A State Championship, scoring in the final and semifinal ... Selected to the ODP Region team and traveled with the squad to Costa Rica ... Helped his club team to the 2012 and 2013 NCYSA Premier League Championships.
Personal:
Born January 25, 1996 in Phoenix, Ariz ... Son of Scott and Erin Rhode ... Member of the National Honor Society
Vidovich on Rhode: "Chase is an extremely athletic centerback that has spent the past few years attending the Wake Forest Soccer Camp. Chase is a very physical and competitive player. He has outstanding potential to grow and become successful at Wake Forest."
John Schuman - Midfielder - 5-6 - 137 lbs. - Columbus, Ohio - Upper Arlington HS
Background:
A four-star recruit by Top Drawer Soccer ... Ranked in the Top 150 in his class ... Plays for the Columbus Crew academy and has played in two reserve matches for the Crew ... Was named the Man of the Match in a game against the U-17 National Team ... Was named to the 2012 Generation adidas All-Tournament Team
Vidovich on Schuman: "John is a very technical, busy midfielder with an incredible engine. His drive and energy make him a pleasure to watch. John's passing ability and knack for scoring big goals will add into a very explosive attacking group."
