LORETTO, Pa. (May 27, 2008) – Twelve graduating high school seniors and one freshman transfer make up the first-ever recruiting class for Saint Francis head men’s soccer coach Michael Casper, setting the 2008 roster for the Red Flash.

David Butler (Baltimore, Md. / Loyola Blakefield), Owen Gombami (Pumula North, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe / Mzilikazi), Parnell Hegngi (Silver Spring, Md. / DeMatha Catholic), Timothy Hojnacki (Forked River, N.J. / Monsignor Donovan), Victor Jiminez (Kitchener, Ontario, Canada / Forest Heights College Institute), Kevin Kron (Willowbrook, Ill. / Benet Academy), Aaron Lewis (Fulton, Md. / Sandy Spring Friends School), Colin Lisy (Encino, Calif. / Notre Dame), Kevin Lozen (Fraser, Mich. / Fraser), Brandon Lumadue (Hollidaysburg, Pa. / Hollidaysburg) Kingsley McLeod (Rocky Mount, N.C. / Rocky Mount), Andrew Pedigo (Plano, Texas / Plano) and Taylor Powers (Petaluma, Calif. / Casa Grande) make up an outstanding recruiting class that will form the nucleus of Saint Francis’ men’s soccer future.

“I am very excited about this class,” said Casper, who guided the Red Flash to the Northeast Conference Tournament championship match in his first season as head coach. “I feel we have brought in a group of very talented, versatile and athletic players. After losing such a large group of seniors from last year’s team, who all started, we knew this was going to be an important class. I feel we have improved our overall talent level and depth, and created an environment of competition for places that will really drive us forward.”

The class of 13 represents three countries – the United States, Canada and Zimbabwe – and eight states within the lower 48. Three players come from Maryland and two will make their way from California.

David Butler is an outside midfielder out of Loyola (Md.) Blakefield High School, where he played for head coach Lee Tschantret. Butler helped the Dons to a 10-4-2 record as a senior when he was an all-MIAA and all-County selection. In 2005, he played on the Loyola Blakefield MIAA championship team. Butler intends to study Marketing at Saint Francis.

“David Butler has the ability to break players down one-versus-one,” Casper said. “His pace enables him to either get around the corner and serve or take the ball inside and play in a more central role. David is very good in tight spaces and should add a very creative dynamic to our attack.”

Owen Gombami comes to Loretto after one season at Lee University in Tennessee, where he had three goals and two assists in 23 games playing behind the NAIA National Player-of-the-Year, Pierre-Louis, who was selected in the second round of January’s Major League Soccer SuperDraft. Gombami, who will be a sophomore in the fall with three years of eligibility remaining, helped Lee to a 16-5-3 record and an appearance in the Southern States Conference championship match. A member of the Zimbabwe U-20 National Team since 2005, he is a forward/attacking midfielder who played at Mzilikazi High School, where he was the 2006 Sports Person-of-the-Year, Player-of-the-Year and U-20 Athlete-of-the-Year during his senior season. While playing on his national team, Gombami helped his teammates as an U-20 National Coca-Cola finalist. An outstanding student, he was the “Best History Student” in high school. Gombami plans to study Economics and Finance at Saint Francis University.

“Owen Gombami is a very quick and athletic player with good size and strength,” Casper said. “He is one of the rare forwards that can play both as a target and have the ability to stretch the game and get behind. I am very excited about Owen, and what he will add to the team.”

Parnell Hegngi is an outside midfielder who played under the guidance of Dafydd Evans at DeMatha Catholic High School, where he had 10 goals and 12 assists in 24 games as a senior. In four years, Hegngi helped the Stags to an overall record of 86-1. He plans to study Business at SFU.

“Parnell Hegngi is a very talented player with excellent size and athleticism,” Casper said. “Parnell has the ability to play in defense, up top or out wide, which might be his best position. He can run at players, score goals, and at any moment make something happen that can change the game. I am looking forward to seeing what Parnell adds to the team.”

Timothy Hojnacki was a four-year starter for coach Ken Oliver at Monsignor Donovan High School where he helped lead the Griffins to the 2005 and 2007 Division Championships. A center-back and center-mid, he was first team all-coaches division, all-county and all-conference as a senior, as well as second team all-state. He was his conference stat leader with 14 goals, 22 assists and 50 points. His 22 assists broke the Monsignor Donovan single-season school record. Hojnacki made the Principal’s Honor Roll in 2007, and was named the Monsignor Donovan Offensive Player-of-the-Year in 2006 as well as the team MVP in 2007. Hojnacki plans to study Criminal Justice at Saint Francis.

“Tim Hojnacki is another tall, athletic player that has the ability to play a number of positions,” Casper stated. “He can play any spot along the back four, but also knows how to join in the attack and get forward. He has good feet, and the best thing about Tim is that I feel his best soccer is still to come.”

Victor Jiminez helped lead Mike Wilson’s Forest Heights College Institute team to a 10-1-2 record in 2007 as a two-time team captain. During his career, Jiminez helped Forest Heights to a combined record of 33-5-3, garnering WCSSAA All-Star accolades in the process. A midfielder/defender, Jiminez helped the Trojans win the WCSSAA Championship in 2004-05. He plans to study Elementary Education at Saint Francis University.

“Victor Jiminez is a very smooth player with tremendous pace and athleticism,” Casper said. “Victor has great feet and can play either in defense or as a true out-and-out winger. He looks to get behind, but can also combine and connect, which should make him a very dangerous player for us.”

Kevin Kron helped coach Henry Wind’s Benet Academy team to the 2006 and 2007 regional championships, as well as the 2006 conference and sectional championships as a forward/midfielder. Kron, who was also a placekicker for the Redwings football team, was his team’s co-scoring leader as a senior when they went 9-9-2. He plans to study Marine Biology at Saint Francis.

“Kevin Kron is a left-sided player who can play on all three lines of the field,” Casper said. “Kevin’s left foot is very cultured and the service he can provide from the wide areas make him very dangerous. He plays on one of the top club teams in the country and that experience should be very beneficial as he comes to Saint Francis.”

Aaron Lewis compiled a career record of 57-7-5 with 45 shutouts playing under the guidance of Eduardo Polon at Sandy Spring Friends School (SSFS). He helped guide the Wildebeests to three PVAC Tournament titles, a pair of PVAC League championships and two Francisco Hope Tournament titles. SSFS finished 18-0-0 in 2005 and 15-1-1 in 2006 with Lewis garnering All-PVAC both seasons. He concluded his career by being selected to the All-PVAC First Team while serving as a team captain in 2007. He was also the team MVP as a senior. A varsity starter since his freshman season, Lewis played in all 69 high school games, starting 68. He tallied 12 goals, 12 assists and 36 points while SSFS scored 278 goals against just 35. Lewis was selected as a team member of the U-23 U.S. Virgin Islands Soccer Team. He earned his 1st cap at pre-Olympic qualifying match versus the Bahamas, playing a full 90 minutes. Additionally, Lewis was captain of the Bethesda Mavericks U-17/U-18 teams, as well as a 2007 Region I Colonial League Champion on his way to leading SSFS to the 2007 Maryland State Cup Final. Lewis plans to study Marketing and History at Saint Francis University.

“Aaron Lewis is a strong, ball-winning, holding midfielder,” Casper said. “He has good feet, can connect and does a lot of things no one gets credit for, but every team needs. Besides being talented, Aaron is one of those guys you just want on your team. He works hard, puts the team first, and does whatever it takes to win.”

Colin Lisy was a two-time team captain for head coach Mark Foley at Notre Dame High School in Encino, Calif. Lisy played center-back, garnering the team’s Most Valuable Player award in 2008, the Most Inspirational Award in 2007 and the Most Improved Player Award in both 2006 and 2008. He led the Knights in scoring in 2007 and was a first team All-CIF selection in 2007 and 2008. An All-Academic Team awardee all four years in high school, Lisy will study Psychology at SFU.

“Colin Lisy is a tall, athletic player who can play as a central defender or as a wide full back,” Casper said. “Colin steps well, is strong in the air and knows how to organize a back four. I think Colin is a great addition who will press for time right away.”

Kevin Lozen set the Fraser High School school record with 39 goals, while garnering all-conference, all-division and all-Macomb County honors twice each while playing under the guidance of head coach Norm Lentine. He was also a two-time MVP of his division. Lozen plans to study Business at Saint Francis University.

“Kevin Lozen is a player with tremendous quickness and pace with the ability to run at players and cause problems either up top or in the midfield,” Casper said. “He also plays with a bit of personality that makes him very unpredictable and creative. I saw Kevin at camp and felt he would be a tremendous asset to our team.”

Brandon Lumadue played for head coach Craig Shale at nearby Hollidaysburg High School, where he tallied 29 goals and 25 assists during his high school career. He was a two-time Altoona Mirror Soccer All-Star and a First Team All-Mountain Athletic Conference honoree. He also played for the PA Classics Club Team. Lumadue plans to study Business at SFU.

“Brandon Lumadue is a technical midfielder with good passing range and ability,” Casper said. “Coming from the local area, we have known Brandon for years and are excited to have him join our squad. I think Brandon has untapped potential and ability, and I can’t wait to see if we can draw that out of him.”

Kingsley McLeod played center-midfield and forward for head coach Patrick Sensiba at Rocky Mount High School where he was an all-area, all-conference, all-region and all-state player. He guided the Gryphons to a 17-4-4 record as a senior when he tallied 12 goals and 18 assists. He also led Rocky Mount to a conference title and into the conference tournament. McLeod plans to study Communication Broadcasting at Saint Francis.

“Kingsley McLeod is a tall, athletic player with very good feet,” Casper said. “Kingsley can play out wide or up top, and his versatility is one of the things I like most about him.”

Andrew Pedigo played for a pair of national Top-10 teams during his scholastic career. He starred at Plano Senior High School under head coach Bob Weir, while also playing a key role on the Solar Soccer Club squad. A first-team all-district player, Pedigo was a two-year member of the Texas North ODP Team, as well as a two-year Region 3 ODP selection.

“Andrew Pedigo is a very talented defender that can play central or out wide,” Casper said. “He is very strong in the air and tough in the tackle. Andrew brings a bit of bite to his play while combining that with good feet and very good technical ability.”

Taylor Powers lettered in four sports during his Casa Grande High School career, where he was a two-time team captain on the soccer team. He was first-team all-Sonoma County League and team MVP during his junior and senior seasons, and was second team all-Sonoma County League as well as recipient of the Most Inspirational Award during his sophomore season. Powers was a four-time team captain playing club soccer, and also played in the U-20 National Premier Soccer League as a junior. Another strong student, Powers received accolades on the Casa Grande Honors Society, National Honors Society and California Scholarship Federation all four years. He received the first place sports feature from the Press Democrat Excellence in Journalism, and was honorable mention with the Journalism Education Association of Northern California. Powers plans to study Business at Saint Francis University.

“Taylor Powers is a very technical player with a great engine,” Casper said. “He has tremendous vision with the ability to spray passes over a number of distances. I got to know Taylor at camp, and knew right away he was the type of player and person I wanted here at Saint Francis.”

Casper’s first recruiting class will see its first action in a pair of exhibitions against Valparaiso and Lock Haven on Aug. 20th and 23rd, respectively. The 2007 Northeast Conference runner-ups open the regular season at the Michigan State Tournament during the weekend of Aug. 29th when they will play Michigan State and Western Michigan.