Men's Soccer | 1/30/2017 4:01:00 PM
STATESBORO, GA. – Second-year Men's Soccer head coach
John Murphy got an early start on assembling his signing class for the 2017 season with the addition of four transfers and an early enrollee. The new student-athletes recently began their careers at Georgia Southern, joining the student body for the 2017 spring semester. The remainder of the Class of 2017 will be announced following National Signing Day on February 1st.
Atlanta, Ga. | Transfer from Presbyterian College
5-11 | 160 | Sophomore | DEF
Sebastian Carlson joins the Eagles after playing his freshman campaign at Presbyterian College. He started all 17 matches in defense for the Blue Hose, picking up an assist against UNCG while attempting five shots on the year. Carlson attended Blessed Trinity High School in Roswell, Georgia and was rated as a four-star recruit by TopDrawerSoccer. He played his club soccer for Georgia United under head coach Dave Smith. Carlson helped lead his team to the National playoffs twice. He also traveled to England with Georgia United and defeated the academy teams of Crystal Palace, West Bromwich Albion and Stoke City. Sebastian plans on majoring in business.
Coach Murphy on Carlson
"Sebastian is a skillful, mobile player who can play as a fullback, wingback or a central defender. His versatility will allow us to deploy him in a variety of positions depending on situations and tactics. He started 17 games on a very good Presbyterian College team in 2016, so we are pleased that he comes to us with so much Division I playing experience."
Columbus, Ga. | Transfer from Young Harris College
5-7 | 150 | Junior | MF/F
Sam Choi comes to Georgia Southern after playing at Young Harris College. In two seasons with the Mountain Lions, Choi played in 21 matches with a goal and an assist. He was a four-year letter winner at Centennial High School in Roswell, Georgia, under the instruction of Coach Jamey Stiltz. He was an All-Region selection in 2015 and won the Centennial Excalibur Award. Outside of high school soccer, Choi played club ball for the Kalonji Soccer Academy, where his team won the 2014 Disney Cup. He also helped his club team reach the Semifinals of the Regional Tournament in 2015. Choi graduated with honors and was a Scholar athlete through all four years of high school. He plans on majoring in marketing.
Coach Murphy on Choi
"Sam's technical ability allows him to operate well in 1v1's in wide areas and to also come inside and play between the lines of opponents. He comes to life on the ball and has the ability to be an attacking catalyst for us as a winger or wide midfielder."
Tranberg, Denmark | Transfer from Limestone College
5-9 | 170 | Junior | MF
Sebastian Gregersen joins the Eagles as a transfer from Limestone College. A native of Tranbjerg, Denmark, he played his youth soccer for AGF and Skovbakken IF alongside Eagles
Emil Laursen and
Rasmus Juul. Gregersen was named Captain of his U14/U15 team. He is a three-time winner of the Danish Youth Cup and reached the European Youth Club Championship (Nike Premier Cup) twice. Gregersen played for Denmark's U15 and U16 National Team. His collegiate career includes 19 matches over two seasons at Limestone College with 12 goals scored. Gregersen plans to major in economics at Georgia Southern.
Coach Murphy on Gregerson
"Sebastian is a mature player who brings a great deal of experience to us not only collegiately, but from the youth national team system in his native Denmark. His ability to get on the ball and distribute in possession will be a big part of his value to us. Additionally, he also has a nose for goal, so we expect him to add to our attack in the final third as well as link us up in the midfield."
Madrid, Spain | Early Enrollee
6-1 | 170 | Freshman | DEF
Gonzalo Talavera joins the Georgia Southern program from Madrid, Spain. Talavera played his youth soccer for Atletico Madrid where he was a part of the club's La Liga Juvenil 2015-16 squad which went 22-4-4 to win its group. Atletico also won the 2016 Copa Del Rey Juvenil over cross-town rival Real Madrid.
Coach Murphy on Talavera
"Gonzalo is a powerful player whose time at Atletico Madrid will certainly help prepare him for the challenges that lie ahead. He can play in the center of midfield as well as drop to the back line if required. He is very strong in the air, both defensively and in the attack, and is also a very good passer of the ball. He is a natural leader whose ability to organize and encourage his teammates on the pitch will add a great deal to our team immediately."
Evans, Ga. | Transfer from Limestone College
6-0 | 175 | Sophomore | GK
Conner Washer comes to Statesboro after playing one season at Limestone College. He played in two matches, having a hand in one of the Saints nine clean sheets in 2016. He played his high school soccer for Graeme Connolly at Greenbrier High School, earning four letters. As a senior for the Wolfpack, Washer kept 17 clean sheets. Washer is a four-time GHSA All-Region selection and a three-time Augusta Chronicle First-Team All-Area selection. He was a part of Greenbrier's 2014 and 2016 Regional Championships. He plans to major in logistics management.
Coach Murphy on Washer
"Connor is quite agile in the goal and excels in 1v1 situations. He is a good shothandler and has looked sharp right away. He will add depth to our goalkeeper position which will make an immediate contribution to the overall strength of the program."
Georgia Southern Athletics provides up-to-date information on all its sports through its official website, GSEagles.com, through social media channels facebook.com/GSAthletics, twitter.com/GSAthletics, iOS app Georgia Southern Eagles and Android app Eagles GATA. Fans can purchase tickets to Georgia Southern Athletics events by visiting GSEagles.com.
