LEXINGTON, Ky. ? The defending Mid-American Conference men?s soccer regular season champion Kentucky Wildcats announced the signing of nine standout student-athletes who will be added to the 2004 fall roster. Coach Ian Collins, who guided the Cats to their third conference title in four years, is looking forward to coaching Kentucky?s newest additions.
?We are really excited about our incoming class,? Collins said. ?I think the level of talent is extremely high, and I believe that is matched by the tenacity, dedication and commitment of all these players.?
The Wildcats will welcome players from all across the country, including two High School All-Americans and two Gatorade Players of the Year.
Nathan Marks (Trinity/Louisville, Ky.) and Andrew Alexander (Pace Academy/Atlanta, Ga.) received 2003 High School All-America honors and were both named Gatorade Player of the Year in their respective states. Marks, one of two Bluegrass natives that signed with Kentucky, received the 2003 Gatorade Kentucky Player of the Year honor, while Alexander received Georgia?s top honor as he led his team to the Georgia state championship and No. 2 final ranking in the country last season.
Troy West (Sayre/Lexington,Ky.) is the other Bluegrass product who will join UK?s roster next season. West has played for the Olympic Development state team for four seasons and should add a scoring threat for the Cats at the forward position.
British Columbia native, Michael D?Agostino (Langley Secondary/Langley, British Columbia), is the third Canadian to sign with UK in two seasons and will join the Wildcats with an extensive list of accomplishments. D?Agostino has played for the Canadian National Team as a midfielder since 2001 and he has competed in Germany, Luxemburg, Slovakia and Austria.
The Cats will add depth at the midfield position with Alexander and David Hertel (Holland Christian/Holland, Mich.). Hertel was a First Team All-State selection in Michigan as well as a member of the Michigan ODP State Team that won the Region II Tournament Championship the last two years.
Kentucky will also add two scoring threats at the forward position in Michael Strong (Alamo Heights/San Antonio, Texas) and Jeremy Swetnam (Worthington Christian/Dublin, Ohio). Strong?s resume includes two TASCO All-State First Team selections and he was named to the Express News Greater San Antonio Area 2004 ?Super Team?. Swetnam made the Ohio All-State Second Team after registering 21 goals and 23 assists last season.
Defensively, UK welcomes Evan Anderson (Inglemoor/Redmond, Wash.) and goalkeeper Grant Ward (Thomas A. Edison/Alexandria, Va.). Anderson, a 6-2 defender, is a member of the Region IV ?85 ODP Team and will bring a great physical presence to an already strong Kentucky defense. Meanwhile, Ward played with the Team America Premier Club team that won the 2002 Virginia State Cup and has trained in Holland, Spain and France.
?I think these players will help us continue our push towards our ultimate goal of winning a national championship,? Collins said. ?They all chose Kentucky to help us compete for that ultimate prize.?
2004 Kentucky Men?s Soccer Signees
Andrew Alexander ? Atlanta, Ga.
Evan Anderson ? Redmond, Wash.
Michael D?Agostino ? Langley, British Columbia
David Hertel ? Holland, Mich.
Nathan Marks ? Louisville, Ky.
Michael Strong ? San Antonio, Texas
Jeremy Swetnam ? Dublin, Ohio
Grant Ward ? Alexandria, Va.
Troy West ? Lexington, Ky.
