SYRACUSE MEN’S SOCCER FINALIZES 2013 RECRUITING CLASS

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – SU men’s soccer coach Ian McIntyre announced the addition of seven players who will join the Orange program for the upcoming 2013 season on Monday, June 17. The additions round out a class that already includes Alexis Halis (Brampton, Ontario, Canada) and Mike Koegel (Chittenango, N.Y.) who enrolled back in January.

“During the recruitment process, it became apparent that this is a group of student-athletes with real character. They possess the drive and desire to succeed here at Syracuse,” McIntyre said. “Each of these young men will further assist the development and evolution of Syracuse soccer and they certainly share both our vision and lofty goals for the program. I would like to thank (assistant coaches) Jukka Masalin and Mike Miller for helping attract such a talented 2013 recruiting class.”

Signee Profiles

Oyvind Alseth (Trondheim, Norway/KVT High School)

Alseth is one of two Norwegian-born student-athletes joining the Orange. Alseth played for Rosenborg BK the past three seasons, winning the U-19 national championship twice. He was also named the 2012 Profile Player of the Year. Alseth recently competed for Rosenborg against top-level European talent in the prestigious NextGen Series.

“Oyvind is a smart and technical defender who has gained tremendous confidence from competing against teams such as Liverpool, Inter Milan, Juventus and Borussia Dortmund during this past year,” McIntyre said.

Aron Coste (Takoma Park, Md./Montgomery Blair High School)

Coste played club soccer for Bethesda SC, one of the premier squads in the Mid-Atlantic region and the Region I Premier League.

“Aron excelled at our camp and possesses an infectious passion for the game,” McIntyre said. “He has the technical tools and the work ethic to help our team on both sides of the ball.”

Emil Ekblom (Bekkestua, Norway/Toppidrettsgymnas (NTG) High School)

Like Alseth, Ekblom also hails from Norway. He has found success in club competition with Stabaek, a squad that competes against the upper echelon of Norway’s U-19 talent. Ekblom was the team’s top goal scorer in 2012 and earned MVP honors.

“Emil is a strong, mobile and technically-sound athlete who can play several attacking positions,” McIntyre said. “He is a player who has scored goals at every level he has played. I believe that Emil can quickly adapt to the college game and will be an exciting player to watch this fall.”

Emmanuel (Gogo) Kollie (Philadelphia, Pa./Otero Community College)

Kollie led Otero to the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) championship match in 2010. He was named to the NJCAA All-Region First Team in both 2010 and 2011. Kollie has also had success in the Premier Development League (PDL), helping the Ocean City Nor’easters capture the 2012 Mid-Atlantic PDL Championship.

“’Gogo’ is a fantastic young man with endless personality and character,” McIntyre said. “He will provide us another exciting attacking option and I am looking forward to watching him wear an Orange shirt this fall.”

Kenneth Lassiter (Narbeth, Pa./Lower Merion High School)

Lassiter played scholastically at Lower Merion High School and for FC Delco in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy. He was selected to represent the Philadelphia Union academy team that won the 2012 Major League Soccer (MLS) Generation Adidas Cup.

“Kenny is a player that can go by opponents on the dribble and he possesses a nice left foot,” McIntyre said. “He has the size and athleticism to make a quick transition to the college game here at Syracuse.”

Chris Nanco (Brampton, Ontario, Canada/St. Edmund’s Campion Secondary School)

Nanco was a teammate of Alex Halis’ on both Sigma FC and in the Canadian youth national program. Nanco won a silver medal with Team Canada at the 2011 CONCACAF U-17 Championship in Jamaica. His winning goal versus Trinidad and Tobago helped the Canadians qualify for the 2011 FIFA U-17 World Cup.

“I have been watching Chris for several years now and he has a real pace that scares defenders and keeps them firmly on the back foot,” McIntyre said. “He is coming from an excellent Sigma FC program and I am excited to watch his progress here and see him compete in the ACC.”

Korab Syla (Yonkers, N.Y./Herkimer County Community College)

Syla starred at Herkimer County Community College under head coach Pepe Aragon. Syla led the Generals to the NJCAA Division III national title in both 2011 and 2012. He was named the 2012 NJCAA Player of the Year in 2012 after registering 27 points on five goals and 17 assists.

“I love Korab’s willingness to run at defenders and impose himself on each game,” McIntyre said. “He has already enjoyed tremendous success in college at Herkimer and we hope that success continues here at Syracuse.”