Thirteen Scholastic Standouts To Join Terrier Men's Soccer Program
May 8, 2002 | Men's Soccer
Boston University men's soccer coach Neil Roberts has announced that 13 scholastic standouts will join the Terrier soccer program this September making it one of the largest incoming classes in program history.
The group will join 18 returning veterans from last year's America East regular-season champions when the Terriers open their 2002 season August 30th at Cal State Fullerton.
The incoming freshmen include…
| Sedrick Chin | 5-10, 145 | Midfield | St. Mary's, Jamaica |
Chin, who hails from St. Mary Jamaica, is a 5-10, 145-pound midfielder. During the past two years, he attended Hotchkiss School in Lakeville, CT. He averaged 15 goals a season, was an All-New England selection and was a finalist for the New England Player of the Year award.
Currently, he is a member of Jamaica's Under-20 team and is in the player pool for the 2004 Olympic Team. He has been named to the 18-man roster for the May 15th game between the Jamaican and United States full national team.
"Sedrick is a clever and dangerous flank player," said Roberts. "We expect him to provide us with tremendous pace and quality service. He has a strong background at the international level and should have an immediate impact."
| Chad Comroe | 5-11, 175 | Keeper | Dallas, Texas |
Chad Comroe is a 5-11, 175-pound goalkeeper from Dallas, Texas. He is a five-year member of the Dallas Comets and helped lead his team to the 2001 North Texas title. He also helped his high school team, J.J. Pearce, reach the State finals last year. A member of the Adidas Elite (ESP) Program, he posted 19 shutouts last year en route to being named All-State and All-District.
"Chad is a solid shot stopper who has a strong command of his goal area and his players," said Roberts. "He has been a winner at every level in which he has played, and he has a tremendous work ethic."
| Matt Cross | 6-0, 160 | Back | Pembroke, MA |
Matt Cross a 6-0, 160-pound outside back from Pembroke, Mass. A six-year member of the South Shore United Blazers, Cross has won five State championships and one regional title with the Blazers. He was also a two-year member of the Mass Arsenal Select Team. A regular in the Region 1 ODP mix, Cross was a 2001 All-State selection at Boston College High School. He also earned Boston Herald post-season honors after helping to lead his team to the South Sectional title. He is the second member of his family to be playing soccer at Boston University, as his older sister, Megan, is graduating after starring for four years with the Terrier women's soccer team. In fact, she was B.U.'s female athlete of the year for 2001-02 after helping to lead the Terriers to their second straight America East title and second consecutive trip to the NCAA tournament.
"Matt is a steady and versatile player who will be looked upon to help as a flank defender right away," said Roberts. "He is a solid one-on-one defender with good athletic ability and will help us possess the ball."
| Devon Henkis | 5-9, 155 | Striker | Carrolton, Texas |
Devon Henkis, a 5-9, 155-pound striker from Carrolton, Texas. Henkis has played for the Comets Blue Soccer Club and has been a Region III pool player the past two years. A four-time All-District selection, he has earned All-State honors in 1999 and last year.
"Devon was one of the best athletes we saw last year," said Roberts. "He makes intelligent runs that create numerous opportunities, and he has the potential of being one of the fastest players not just on our team but in the conference."
| Jamie Johnson | 5-7, 160 | Midfield | Brisbane, Aus. |
From Brisbane, Australia, Johnson is a 5-7, 160-pound attacking midfielder. A six-year member of his country's national program, he had 18 caps for the Under-17 team and won a silver medal at the Youth World Cup in 1999. That same year, he competed for Manchester City's youth team and led his high school team to a national championship. He was also in the residency camp for the Under-23 team that competed in the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney. In addition, he attended a full national team camp last fall.
"Jamie is a smart and dangerous playmaker with a wealth of international competition," said Roberts. "We expect him to direct our attack and have a major impact as a goal scorer and playmaker immediately."
| Sam Piotrowski | 5-8, 145 | Midfield | Burlington, VT |
Sam Piotrowski, a 5-8, 145-pound midfielder from Burlington, Vermont. In 1999 and 2000, he was a member of the Nordic Spirit SC that won the State title. Last summer, he was a Region I pool player and has been a Vermont ODP player for three years. Last year, he as an All-State selection and was a finalist for the Vermont Player of the Year award.
"Sam's a hungry, driven individual who has worked hard to make himself a Division 1 player," said Roberts. "He brings great energy and a high level of fitness to the wide midfield position."
Other players who have committed to Boston University include Zach Roth, an All-League defender from Los Angeles, CA; Steven Gahl, a defender from Kennsington, MD; Paul Roy, a midfielder from Lakeville, CT; Marco Ciarleglio, a defender from Wallingford, CT; Asa Frey, a forward from Vienna, VA; Michael Merritt, a forward from Dover, Del; and Charlie Bird, a goalkeeper from Sharon, CT.
"This is a class of young men who are proven winners," summed up Roberts, who will enter his 18th season at the B.U. helm with an all-time record of 214-86-42. During his head coaching career, he has never had a losing season. Last fall, the Terriers finished with a 13-5-1 record making it the 14th time in Roberts' career that his team had won at least 10 games. The Terriers were 9-1-1 in America East play and won the league regular-season title for the seventh time since 1988.
"They will improve the overall talent and athleticism of our team.
"We addressed our primary needs at striker and flank midfielder," Roberts went on. "We also wanted to add depth to the defender and goalkeeper positions and we met that goal.
"We feel strongly that each of the incoming players will have a positive impact on the program as well as the entire University," concluded Roberts.
