UNCG signs six to NLIs for men's soccer
GREENSBORO, N.C.- UNC Greensboro interim men's soccer coach Justin Maullin announced Thursday a signing class of six recruits during the National Letter of Intent program's signing period.
Maullin confirmed the signings of Eric Carrion, Duke Garner, Pete Kurowski, Brian Graham, Aaron Reifschneider and Thomas Johnson.
Kurowski is a product of Collins Hill HS, where his squad was the Georgia Class AAAAA state champs. The team was ranked No. 4 in the nation. A member of the Georgia ODP squad and Region III ODP from 2004-07, he is a 5-8, 150 lbs. midfielder. He plays in the USSF Developmental League with the Atlanta Fire United. He also attended Super Y National Camp in 2007 and has played overseas in Spain and Argentina as part of the ODP program.
"Pete is a very technical player with good pace," said Maullin. He plays equally well with both feet and can play most anywhere on the field. He struggled with an injury last year, but once he gets fully fit, I feel he can do great things for us."
Johnson is an East Wake HS product. A native of Wendell, N.C., Johnson plays for Elmar Bolowich's Triangle United squad. He was the Conference Offense Player of the Year in 2009, scoring 26 goals. A four-time all-conference selection at East Wake, he was a member of the North Carolina ODP Team in 2006 and 2008. Triangle United was the North Caroina state cup and Region III champions in 2008 and 2009 and played in the 2009 USYS national finals.
"Trey will provide a physical presence along with a mental toughness and strong will to succeed," said Maullin.
"He reads the game extremely well and I see him playing for us in the backline."
Carrion is a native of Duluth, Ga. A 5-9, 172 lbs. midfielder, he attends Northview HS, where he is a four-year starter. He plays for the AFUSA Soccer Club and played alongside Kurowski in Argentina with the Region III ODP squad. He also played four seasons in the USL Super-Y league and was in the 2009 national finals. He has also played with the Atlanta Fire United and Alpharetta Ambush on the club level.
"Eric impressed our staff this summer," Maullin said. "He has the ability to score goals with both feet in a variety of ways. He is a truly polished player in the final third."
Garner is a native of Hillsborough, N.C. and is the third in his family to play collegiate soccer. His brother Brandon played at Appalachian State and is now a UFC professional fighter, while brother Eli is a member of the squad at North Carolina. He attended the ESP Adidas National Camp in 2009, where he was named an all-star. Regarded is one of the top forwards in the state of North Carolina, he plays with Johnson on the Triangle United squad that advanced to the 2009 USYS national finals. He scored nine goals in the 2009 USYS regional and national tournaments. He has earned all-conference and all-region three times while playing at Cedar Ridge HS.
"Our staff feels Duke is one of the most talented players coming out of the state of North Carolina," added Maullin. "Duke is a very dynamic player with a high soccer pedigree. He is an extremely versatile player that can help us in many ways. I am very anxious to see how transitions into the college game next year."
Reifschneider is a native of Frisco, Texas, where he attends Wakeland HS. He is the captain of his club soccer squad, the Dallas Texans Academy, which won the Disney Showcase several times, most recently in 2009. The Texans also won the USYS under-17 national title in 2008. He earned all-district honors three times at Wakeland and was the district's MVP and an all-region selection last season. A 5-10, 160 lbs. midfielder, he was ranked as a top 100 recruit by NationalSoccerRanking.com.
"I honestly feel Aaron is one of the best recruits to come out in 2010," said Maullin. "His ability to read a game is unmatched. He is a true leader and was one of the top players on one of the best teams in country. Aaron is very technical and can play with both feet very comfortably. He is tough in the tackle and we expect that he will make an immediate impact on our program."
Graham has twice earned all-state honors at Bowie HS in Bowie, Md. He led Bowie to the state 4A title in 2008 and three regional titles. In four seasons at Bowie, he recorded 58 goals and 34 assists, including 17 goals and seven assists this past season. He is currently playing his club soccer with the Baltimore Bays Chelsea Football Club.
"Our staff has been very impressed with Brian both on and off the field," added Maullin. "I first saw him with Freestate Elite and now with Baltimore Bays Academy. He is a very fit and determined player that takes his game very seriously. He has good skill and is very creative in the final third. I see Brian scoring many goals as a Spartan."
Maullin and the Spartans are currently taking part in their spring practice season. He was named the interim head coach this past January after the retirement of long-time head coach Michael Parker.
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