Saint Francis University Men’s Soccer Announces 2006 Recruiting Class
LORETTO, Pa. (Aug. 7, 2006) – Saint Francis University men’s soccer head coach B.J. Craig has announced that five student-athletes will continue their academic and athletic careers at the NCAA Division I school, beginning with the 2006-07 season.
Joining the Red Flash in the fall will be midfielder/forward Michael Abalos (Midland, Texas), midfielder Brent Brockman (Dillsburg, Pa.), goalkeeper Creighton Jenness (Marshalltown, Iowa), defender/midfielder Daniel Moir (Christchurch, New Zealand), and midfielder/forward Bret Vander Streek (Pella, Iowa).
The Red Flash are coming off back-to-back winning seasons after going 7-6-5 in 2005, including a 3-3-3 mark in the Northeast Conference. Craig has directed Saint Francis to the only two overall winning seasons in the program’s 22-year history. The Red Flash are poised to challenge for a conference title entering Craig’s fourth season with the loss of just two seniors from last year’s squad. Saint Francis graduated Cesar Pena (Scarsborough, Ontario/Pope John Paul) and Bobby Pipech (Broadheadsville, Pa./Pleasant Valley) from the 2005 team.
“For the first time, we will return a core group of experienced players coming into the fall season and, with this class, the pieces are in place to do well again,” Craig said. “The sign of a good class is one that meets your program’s needs with enough quality to continue to raise the program to another level, which these incoming players represent.”
Abalos (5-8, 155) is a two-time all-Region selection, and a four-time all-District player, out of Midland Senior High School. With 30 career goals and 43 assists for Midland, Abalos earned the “Gatorade Player” award his junior season. Abalos also played in the ’87 Texas-North Olympic Development Program and played club soccer with the FC Texas Soccer Club. In the classroom, Abalos was recognized in both the “Who’s Who Among American High School Students” and “Who’s Who Among High School Student-Athletes,” while also being recognized as a “Texas Scholar.”
“Mike is a very good link player,” Craig said. “He is very technical, plays both in the midfield and as a forward, and is a proven goal scorer.”
Brockman (5-9-145) brings more depth to the Red Flash attack with 60 career goals and 25 assists while playing for Northern York High School. With back-to-back conference honors as Player-of-the-Year, Brockman was a three-time First Team all-Conference player, while being recognized as a First Team member in the Harrisburg Patriot News’ Big 11, and a three-year selection to the Sentinel all-Area team. A member of the Super Nova FC, Brockman was a three-time regional pool player in the Super Y League ODP program.
“Brent is quick, breaks pressure, and plays great balls forward,” Craig said. “He plays very simple and will score goals.”
Jenness (6-0, 175) will transfer into Saint Francis with three years of eligibility from Marshalltown Community College. He earned Second Team all-Region in 2005 with a .913 goals against average, which ranked 18th in the nation in the NJCAA. Jenness was a member of the Marshalltown High School team while earning Academic all-State honors. He played club soccer with the Des Moines Menace and also played with the Springfield Storm for the 2005 season, a member of the Premier Development League in the USL.
“Creighton brings a year of college experience as a top keeper in the Junior College ranks,” Craig said. “He has the ability to be a top keeper at the Division I level and will bring more depth to our goalkeeper position while competing right away for the top spot.”
A midfielder/defender out of Shirley Boys High School, Moir (5-11, 165) captained the SBHS team while also playing Mainland Soccer in the National Youth League. Moir represented the New Zealand Secondary School’s National Team in 2003 and 2004, and was also a member of New Zealand Provincial Teams from 1998-2003.
“Daniel is a strong left-sided defender with good vision,” Craig said. “He has the ability to get forward and connect, and can also play in the midfield.”
Vander Streek (5-10, 145) was a four-year letterwinner at Pella Community High School, where he tallied 60 goals and 65 assists. As a captain, Vander Streek earned First Team all-Conference in 2005 and 2006. He helped the Des Moines Menace Soccer Club to three Iowa State Cup titles from 2003-2005. Vander Streek is also a member of Iowa’s Olympic Development Program.
“Bret is a great athlete, and can play anywhere on the field,” Craig said. “He is two-footed with good vision, and can create and score goals.”