Six Ink Letters with Georgia Southern Men's Soccer
2/6/2011 12:30:00 AM | Men's Soccer
STATESBORO, Ga. - Georgia Southern Head Coach Kevin Kennedy and the Men's Soccer program received National Letters of Intent from six individuals, Rocco Bagley, Thomas Hamilton, Ado Junuzovic, Chase Park, Seth Prieto and Nate Steele, who will enroll at Georgia Southern University and join the Eagle family. The accomplished class of five Georgians and one Texan adds depth with five midfielders and one defender to the 2011 roster.
"We're extremely excited about the quality of this year's class and we're confident that this group of young players will come into our program and make a strong impact," said Kevin Kennedy, who will begin his sixth season as head coach in 2011. "We believe that all of these guys will help us move toward our goal of winning a Southern Conference Championship and will represent our soccer team and Georgia Southern University in the best possible way."
From Grand Prairie, Texas, 5-5, 130-lb. midfielder Rocco Bagley joins the Eagles with a top-40 ranking from Top Drawer Soccer. Bagley was invited to camp with the U.S. U-17 National Team and has played in major showcase tournaments, premier regional leagues and state cup matches. He played for South Grand Prairie High School and Solar Chelsea U-18 USSF Development Academy.
"Rocco is going to be a very good addition to our team, and more specifically our group of midfield players," Kennedy said. "He is a wide player who can break down teams either on the dribble or through combination play with his teammates. He has very quick feet, and he's a handful for opposing teams. Rocco also possesses an incredible work ethic and attitude."
Ado Junuzovic, a NSCAA High School All-American for Dacula High School, played for Georgia Southern Men's Soccer alum Mike Burrell (1994-97). He competed for the GSA '93 Phoenix Red club team that won championships at the R3PL and National League levels. The 5-10, 155-lb. forward/midfielder hails from Lawrenceville, Ga.
"Ado is an extremely dangerous attacking player who can create a lot of problems for opposing team," Kennedy said. "Most importantly, he can score goals and create opportunities for his teammates."
A teammate of Junuzovic on GSA '93 Phoenix Red, 5-11, 165-lb. midfielder Chase Park (Peachtree City, Ga.) helped Starr's Mill High School to the Georgia state championship in 2010. Park and Georgia Southern signee Seth Prieto played together on Georgia's Olympic Development Program team, capturing the ODP national championship in 2010. Park, a three-time first-team All-Region selection, was also inducted as a member of the National Honor Society and the National Beta Club.
"We're delighted that Chase is going to be joining our program as he brings so many qualities to our team," said Kennedy. "He is very athletic, understands and reads the game well, and has a strong competitive drive. He also has a clear understanding of what it takes to win."
A member of the Olympic Development Program Region III team that won the 2010 national championship, Seth Prieto hails from Atlanta, Ga., and Chattahoochee High School. The 5-11, 150-lb. midfielder played for the North Atlanta Soccer Association '11 Elite squad and was a 2010 ESP selection.
"Seth is going to be an outstanding addition to our team," Kennedy said. "Seth has the experience of playing at a very high youth level. He reads the game very well, and he has outstanding technical skills. His work rate and attacking ability should give our team a lot of depth in midfield."
The lone defender in this recruiting class, 6-0, 180-lb. Nate Steele earned All-Cobb County honors and was recognized as Harrison High School's Defensive Player of the Year. Steele and fellow signee Seth Prieto won the 2010 Disney Showcase Championship with their club team. He is the younger brother of former Eagle letterwinner Austin Steele.
"Nate's athleticism, competitive drive and leadership will be a great asset to our group of defenders," Kennedy said. "Nate has tremendous leadership skills and he carries the same sort of charisma and competitive nature to his club team."
A club and high school teammate of current Georgia Southern player Hunter Norton, 6-0, 170-lb. midfielder Thomas Hamilton (Evans, Ga.) was an All-Region selection and team captain for Greenbrier High School. His club team, Augusta Arsenal Premier, reached the semifinals of the Georgia State Cup in 2010.
"Thomas is a very good addition for our team, and particularly our group of central midfield players," Kennedy stated. "He is strong and possesses not only very good technical skills, but a very good understanding of the game."
